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Ninos: Poems for the Lost Children of Chile
“Every night she likes to watch how the lights she sees / from her window go out. / Because it’s like watching sunsets, / lightning bugs, / tiny lighthouses.” (“Susana”) “His mother called him ‘little bird.’ / And he likes the way that sounds. / Little bird.” (“Raúl”) An opening note provides the devastating context for this collection: During the 17 years of the Pinochet regime in Chile between 1973 and 1990, thousands were killed. “Among them were thirty-four children under the age of fourteen.” The 34 poems are memorials to each of them. The introduction notes that in these poems the children “play, dream, and listen to the voices of their mothers. Because that is what we think children should do.” A collection dedicated to these 34 children as well as children today who suffer under political violence is beautifully translated, and each poem is accompanied by a delicate, graceful illustration that reflects the joy of each life, which is also what these children deserve to be remembered for. Each child’s full name and age is provided at volume’s end. ©2022 Cooperative Children’s Book Center
Illustrated by
Maria Elena Valdez
Translated by
Lawrence Schimel.
Translated from the Spanish. Originally published in Mexico.
CCBC Age Recommendation: Age 9 and older
Age Range:
Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Grades 6-8 (Ages 11-13)
Grades 9-12 (Age 14 and older)
Format:
Poetry
Subjects:
20th Century
Chileans and Chilean Americans
Oppression
Translated Books
Violence
World History
Diversity subject:
Latine
Publisher:
Eerdmans
Publish Year: 2021
Pages: 72
ISBN: 9780802855671
CCBC Location: Non-Fiction, 811 Ferrada