Recommended Ages: Gr. 5-7

Plot Summary: When Life and Death meet for their annual game of chance, the strands of silver have chosen young Clara as the player. Clara isn't aware of this and is focused on the problems she can see. The humongous tree that attracts tourists from all over suddenly is reported to have a growth on the trunk that looks just like a dragon picture Clara drew for her cousin Estaban. Determined to see it for themselves, Clara and her mom travel to the tree where Clara is stung by a scorpion. On the way to get the treatment, Clara's aunt, Chita, is hit and killed. Devastated by the loss, Estaban thinks he hears his mother's voice in a bush in their garden. Clara, healed from the scorpion sting, sees him disappear. Knowing she promised to take care of him, she makes the difficult choice to follow him into a magical world. Will she be able to bring him back to his family? What is Clara's fate in the game played by Life and Death?

Setting: Oaxaca City and the mythical kingdom of Las Pozas

Characters:
Life -
Catrina - Lady Death, wears a fancy dress, can conjure embroidery in and out of her dress with magic
Clara -
Juana - Clara's mom, owns a restaurant because of her amazing cooking abilities
Estaban -
Chita - Estaban's mom, a widow, has 5 boys total ages 14, 13, 11, 10, 8

Recurring Themes: family, destiny, choice, life and death, courage, suspense

Controversial Issues: none

Personal Thoughts: I struggled with this one, not because it was poorly written but because it wasn't my style at all. It was much to descriptive for me with not enough character development. In addition, I had a hard time immersing myself into the fantasy world. I did like how many chapter titles started with "In which..." to give a preview into what would happen. I was shocked the ending wasn't happy.

Genre: fantasy

Pacing: slow, very descriptive
Characters:
Frame:
Storyline:

Activity: ( )

In Oaxaca City, Mexico, ancient friends Life and Death discuss free will while engaged in a game of chance, with eleven-year-old Clara as the protagonist of their theories and a pawn in their game.

Clara is unaware that her destiny and that of her young cousin Esteban, lie in the hands of Life and Death, a man and woman who are playing a leisurely game of loteria, while they discuss choice vs fate. The outcome of the game will determine if Clara lives or dies. It's not nearly as simple as that though. While trapped in Las Pozas,Clara and Esteban make choices that lead to consequences dire and fortunate. It is Clara who throws a twist into what Life and Death thought they knew about choice and fate. An intricate book that can be enjoyed on different levels: an introduction to free will and determinism; adventure story; ghost story; and a form of fantasy. . ( )

RGG: Really well-written Mexican fantasy. Highly recommend. Reading Interest: 8-12.