Rating: 
Summary: My Favorite
Review: This book is one of my favorites ever. It has a smooth flowing plot. There is a lot of action and there isn't. It depends on your definition of action. There is action between the character's relationship and setting. But there are no battles, etc. It a good story. It will make you want to read it over and over.
Rating: 
Summary: Historical review
Review: This is not an action book, the plot tends to move at a very slow pace, although that is a personal opinion. If you like a book that reveals a part of history then this is a book for you. Even though the plot tends to develope slowly the author captures your attention from the begin to the end. There is little to no suspense in the book although the historical information comes at you so fast that it is hard to take it in all at once. The book is described vividly and is an sweet and unforgetable story.
Rating: 
Summary: Truth in Art and Loyalty in Friendship
Review: Trevino's 1966 Newbery winner may seem a sleeper by today's standards of violence and adult themes in YA literature. Nevertheless, I consider it an excellent representative for both Biography and Historical Fiction genres. Careful research yields authentic 17th century detail as Trevnio recreates the Baroque court of Spain, from the viewpoint of the royal painter, Diego Velasquez, and his faithful Black slave, Juan de Pareja. Narrated in the first person by Juanico from his sheltered childhood, this gently-paced book relates the historical events and reconstructed dialogue and emotions for much of his life. The poor boy suffered horribly at the hands of a cruel gypsy mule driver, but once he reached the haven of his new master in Madrid, such torture would never be inflicted on him again. Juan disovers that he also possesses artistic talents and ambitions, but in Baroque Spain it was illegal for a slave to practice any form of art. Thus he had to steal colors and paint in secret, as the punishment for disobedience to this particular law was most severe--even unto death. During this partial biography of the great court painter, Velasquez, we meet two other famous artists who visited the master: Rubens and Murillo. We are treated to private, behind-the-scenes glimpses of the blond King and his pompous entourage. As Juan travels in Italy with his famous Master, he receives conflicting impressions of Italians and their artistic style. Yet he earns the respect of those around him with his impressive, folkoric healing skills. But art is his private passion; he refuses to stop painting on the sly. Since he is an honest man, such deception causes him great guilt and shame. Otherwise, his life as a slave is almost enviable, since he does not chafe at the yoke of slavery--he merely resents the unfair restrictions on talent based on inherited bondage. I was impressed by his loyalty to and sincere devotion for the Master, even after Velasquez changed their status. This story reveals the meaning of true friendship, which knows no racial or ethnic barriers. This is an excellent book for Black History relations; it includes a brief discussion of mankind's great curse: slavery. There are different ways to accomplish the goal of peaceful coexistence between races; this book leads introspective readers to reflect on the philosophy of Life.
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