Teresa of the New World in Conversation with Author Sharman Apt Russell

Feb 14, 2015 Andree Sanborn rated it it was amazing

Shelves: june, ya, kindle, 2015

Teresa of the New World is a loving coming of age novel about Teresa and her adventures and journeys as she leaves her mother's tribe in the southwest of North America during the time of the Spanish conquistadors. There are touches of magic in this powerful book that transport the reader.

Teresa of the New World is rich in imagery: camp fires seen from above on a hill "flickered on the ground like fallen stars." And "he saw the shadows of shadows creeping into the compound." When I read Teresa of the New World is a loving coming of age novel about Teresa and her adventures and journeys as she leaves her mother's tribe in the southwest of North America during the time of the Spanish conquistadors. There are touches of magic in this powerful book that transport the reader.

Teresa of the New World is rich in imagery: camp fires seen from above on a hill "flickered on the ground like fallen stars." And "he saw the shadows of shadows creeping into the compound." When I read "a thunderstorm lit by the sun’s last rays," I saw the light and smelled the rain.

Author Sharman Apt Russell has a clarity of style and freshness that I enjoyed as much here as in her non-fiction nature books. She writes so easily about nature and introduces us to the flora and fauna of the southwest desert. She uses the ancient lore of the raven much as a Greek chorus; it warns us of danger, foreshadows events, and hels Teresa understand her circumstances and surroundings.

We experience the entire range of Teresa's emotions. When her Spanish father abandons her (for valid reasons) when he returns to Spain, we feel Teresa's anguish as she "waited for the world to end." Teresa experiences anxiety and fear, just as we do. And she learns a strategy to overcome this unrelenting fear: "if they kept moving forward as quickly as they could without becoming exhausted, then fear would not come too close." A lesson we all can use in our lives.

The book is rich in projects and lessons for the classroom. For history alone, there are epidemics among the native people, slave taking of the native people (methods which the Spanish used were mimicked or copied a century later by Europeans in Africa). There is the Lengend of Juan Diego and the MIracle of the Roses, which I first read about in Willa Cather's Death Comes for the Archbishop, another beautiful novel of the Southwest. For science, the flora and fauna of the desert are beautifully described. Vocabulary development is rich in Spanish, English, and Aztec words that can stimulate discussions about the book.

Teresa's journey comes to an end. It is an open ending: there are "questions not yet answered." Questions that beguil all of us our entire lives. I admire Teresa and wish I could have known her when she was older. I hope to remember the lessons she has taught me about perseverance and overcoming personal pain. ...more

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Jan 24, 2017 J.J. Amaworo rated it it was amazing

This brilliant novel is based on the real-life Spanish conquistador Cabeza de Vaca, but he disappears early on, making way for his daughter, Teresa, to take center stage. She spends much of the novel wandering through a post-apocalyptic, plague-ridden landscape, trying to return to a wise woman who may bring succor.

This is The Wizard of Oz revisited, complete with a host of dazzling conceits: shape-shifting human-animals, a girl who converses with the earth, and Fear appearing as a black cloud. ...more

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Mar 02, 2015 Tara rated it it was amazing

What a fantastic, unique piece of historical fiction. The author delves into the fascinating history of the Spanish conquistador, Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca, who after being one of only four survivors from Narvaez's Expedition stranded in Florida, spent eight years living with native tribes, followed by years of traveling across North America in search of the Southwest Spanish Colonies. This is the fictional tale of Teresa, one of two children that de Vaca sired with a native woman. She is caugh ...more

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Aug 21, 2014 Belinda rated it it was amazing

Much awaited by fans of Sharman Apt Russell, Teresa of the New World does not disappoint.
Russell writes award-winning science books, articles, and imaginative prose. All her work – fiction and non-fiction -- is moving, aesthetically rich, respectful of her readers, and interesting throughout. Readers benefit not only from Russell’s poetic creativity and unique point of view but also from her renowned and diverse skill set as a researcher and citizen scientist who can weave what might otherwise b Much awaited by fans of Sharman Apt Russell, Teresa of the New World does not disappoint.
Russell writes award-winning science books, articles, and imaginative prose. All her work – fiction and non-fiction -- is moving, aesthetically rich, respectful of her readers, and interesting throughout. Readers benefit not only from Russell’s poetic creativity and unique point of view but also from her renowned and diverse skill set as a researcher and citizen scientist who can weave what might otherwise be dry facts into an entrancing backdrop.
For example, the diseases profiled are startling and relevant considering they remain a modern threat. The callous expansionism remaking Teresa’s world has echoes – or perhaps ricochets - on multiple continents in ours. Even so the author strikes a balance between the historical backdrop and the action of the story; I never felt overwhelmed by the history because she keeps the movement flowing. All the backstory is revealed in the action or dialogue.
Even more importantly, when Russell is weaving an essential thread, she gives the reader room to breathe and think. The readers have time and space to make up their own minds about the meanings of the story to them personally. Additionally, Russell layers in not only tribal customs as well as the names of places and plants, but the sources of this new information. The reader effortlessly learns a great deal about many interlocking subjects while enjoying an exciting story. Russell shares knowledge gently and naturally rather than just dumping data.
Teresa of the New World would be a good choice for readers who enjoyed The Book Thief, Death and the Archbishop, Fever 1793, or The American Girl series. This would be an appropriate book for high school, middle school, and even mature elementary school students who are advanced readers.
While Teresa is a wonderful main character who will appeal to readers from middle school to adult, the supporting cast is also worthy of equal praise. They are varied, well-rounded, and strong individuals. It’s the sort of book that I imagined a voice and even mannerisms for every character very quickly. (My favorite character is Horse.) I hope it finds its way into the hands of an innovative animation team.
Poignantly, Teresa’s father’s role evolves in her heart and mind throughout the story, whether he was physically with her or not. Several years ago Russell wrote in an essay to her father: “Your absence became a presence.” How many of us of all ages will this resound with—who have lost a parent some way or another? And many of us find someone in our lives who takes over that role, even temporarily. We aren’t just processing the surreal relationship with our absent original parent but also adjusting to a new relationship, perhaps reminding ourselves as Teresa does that the new person is “…like her father, but not her father.” This book might subtly help individuals and families open up about parents who are absent for any reason.
“It was her father who told the best stories, wrapping her in his arms and language, whispering about a life she did not understand…” Teresa and her father are precious to each other because of language and status. As an outsider from another culture, the father has few practical skills and no one to speak with in Spanish. Likewise, Teresa has recently lost her position of the baby of the family making her feel lonely and neglected. By telling his daughter stories, Teresa’s father creates a Spanish-speaking, adoring listener who begs him to tell more stories. “Later she would remember every word – she, the blank page on which he wrote.”
Even as a small child, Teresa is good-natured, displaying curiosity and intelligence. Without risking too many spoilers: along her path she goes on to develop character traits and skills such as resilience, tenacity, empathy, compassion, respect, loyalty, perception, negotiation, leadership, and wisdom. The book isn’t preachy at all; the action gives Teresa – and the reader - opportunities to discover how much her potential and realization are growing.
I heartily recommend Teresa of the New World.
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Mar 30, 2018 Lorinda Toledo rated it really liked it

Compelling and fable-like story that celebrates a young girl's strength and meaningfully explores her biracial and bicultural experiences in an early Spanish colonial context. ...more

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