Napí funda un pueblo/Napí Makes a Village

Gr 1—3—Ramírez returns to the world of the young Mazateca girl introduced in Napí (2004) and Napí va a la montaña (2006, both Groundwood). In this installment based on a true story, Napí tells how she and her family are forced from their village because the government decides to build a dam. As the people are uprooted, they take to the water to try to find a new place to settle, and this proves to be an eye-opening experience for the girl. She encounters exotic jaguars as spring sets in, witnesses villagers setting fires to clear the land, and then grows up fast as her dad almost perishes in a fire as he goes to collect the harvest. Domi's large mural-like, earthy watercolor paintings are closely intertwined with the words and reflect the Spanish-English bilingual text and fine details. The clear text, authentic artwork, and realistic story line make for a fine addition to Spanish-language collections.—Rhonda Jeffers, Children's Services Librarian, Coweta Public Library System, Newnan, GA