Caminar by Skila Brown

Rural Guatemala in 1981 is a dangerous place, Carlos knows that when the soldiers arrive with warnings about rebels. He decides it is time to be a man and defend the village, keep everyone safe. But Mama tells him not yet, he’s still her quiet moonfaced boy. When horror falls on one his neighbors, his mother has to prepare for the worst, she tells him to run and hide.

Numb and alone, he joins a band of guerillas as they trek to the top of the mountain where Carlos’s abuela lives. Will he be in time, and brave enough, to warn them about the soldiers? What will he do then? Will he survive the guilt he has over leaving his mother, friends, and entire village behind?

Author Skila Brown writes a beautiful in verse novel inspired by actual events. Guatemala’s 36 year civil war was hardest on the most rural areas. They were cut off from all other civilization and resouces. These small villages were over taken by a huge and ruthless army. Caminar is the moving story of a boy who loses nearly everything before discovering who he really is. This book is for any fans of war time historical reads and in verse novels. It is a good read alike for fans of All the Broken Pieces by Ann E. Burg, The Red Pencil by Andrea Davis Pinkney, and Towers Falling by Jewell Parker Rhodes.