Starfields

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Author(s)

Carolyn Marsden

Publisher

Candlewick Press

Age Range

10+

Release Date

September 27, 2011

ISBN

978-0763648206

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An ancient calendar comes to an end in 2012-- and many predict the world will end with it. Can one Mayan girl make a difference?

Rosalba is a nine-year-old Mayan girl living in rural Mexico. Like her mother and grandmother, she weaves stories of her people onto blouses, ensuring that the age-old traditions continue. But new in? uences are entering her life. A ladina girl from the city, visiting with her scientist father, passes on the astonishing news that the Mayan calendar predicts the end of the world in 2012. Rosalba knows nothing about that, but her village is faced with a bulldozer tearing through the forest, dying wildlife, and corn? elds in danger. Rosalba's new friend tells her she must do something to help, but what? As she ponders, she dreams of an ancient Mayan boy, eyes bound in a shamanistic ritual, who hints at a way she can make her voice heard. Interweaving a contemporary story with a mythical dream narrative, Carolyn Marsden spins a gripping tale of friendship, cultural identity, and urgent environmental themes. Show More Show Less

An ancient calendar comes to an end in 2012-- and many predict the world will end with it. Can one Mayan girl make a difference?

Editor reviews

2 reviews

Great New Heroine

May 06, 2012 (Updated: May 07, 2012)

Overall rating

5.0

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I love multicultural stories with strong protagonists that end up solving the problem in their lives. In STARFIELDS we're introduced to nine-year-old Rosalba, who lives outside of Mexico City. She follows the ancient Mayan traditions of her ancestors including weaving stories of her people in blouses. Then a ladina girl from the city comes with her scientist father who's studying why the frogs are dying. Rosalba's father wants the ladinas to leave. He fears they will destroy his people's way of life. When her father was younger he was part of a rebel movement that fought against those trying to invade his land. Then the bulldozers come, trying to cut into the jungle to make a road to the city. Rosalba fears what the consequences will be.

I really loved this story that is authentic in it's portrayal of the Mayan and their rich culture. We see their way of life through the eyes of Rosalba. Though she can't read, she weaves in stories of her people in blouses, just like her mother and grandmother. Though Rosalba loves her culture and heritage she's curious about the new visits outside of her village. She wants to know more about the ladina's even though her father forbids it. Rosalba is strong with her descriptions of life in her village and also her observations of what happens with the arrival of the ladinas. She's not afraid to question and to search for the truth.

What I really loved was how the author weaves in the whole end of the world premise without being too preachy. Instead she shows, through the eyes of an ancient shaman, the consequences Rosalba's people have that are based on whatever choice they make in regards to those cutting into their jungle. Plus it's not an adult who takes a stand but rather Rosalba. Love this!

The weaving in of the shaman's voice is mystical and surreal. It gives STARFIELDS a tween BLESS ME, ULTIMA feel.

A great addition to any classroom library especially with the Mayan prophecy. Rosalba is a protagonist that is strong, courageous, and not afraid. Her love of her rich culture shows throughout this amazing tween tale.

Good Points

1. Great voice
2. Great way of weaving in mystical voice with contemporary tale
3. Multicultural tale that feels authentic