GREAT LATINO AUTHORS
In an article by The Huffington Post, eight great Latino authors were mentioned. On the list was: Gabriel Garcia Marquez (Columbian novelist), Mario Vargas Llosa (Peruvian-Spanish writer), Isabel Allende (Chilean writer), Jorge Luis Borges (Argentine short-story writer, essayist, poet and translator), Julio Cortazar (Argentine novelist, short story writer, and essayist), Carlos Fuentes (Mexican novelist and essayist), Juan Rulfo, (Mexican writer and photographer), and Ernesto Sabato (Argentine writer).
Although the above list is amazing and mentions many of the great writers in the Latino community, we must not overlook other writers that are contributing to the literary world of fiction, non-fiction, children’s books, poetry, journalism, and the publishing industry today.
Some of these great literary visionaries are Rudolfo Anaya, Victor Villasenor, Diaz Junot, Reyna Grande, Sandra Cisneros, Julia Alvarez, Monica Brown, Rene Colato Jimenez, Juan Felipe Herrera, Josefina Lopez, Jonathon Marcantoni, Rick Najera, Sonia Nazario, Sandra Ramos O’Briant, and so many more that it would fill a whole page if they were all mentioned. It is these individuals who are creating a new path for upcoming writers so keep an eye out for their literary works.
SOME INTERESTING HISTORICAL FACTS
The Mexican-American War (1846-1848). After having lost Texas, Mexico entered into war with the United States in 1846. The Americans invaded and captured Mexico City and a treaty between both countries was drawn up. This was the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ceded California, Nevada, Utah and parts of Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Wyoming to the United States for very little monies; $15 million for all those states plus the forgiveness of approximately $3 million in debts.
Papal Bull Inter Caetera and the Treaty of Tordesillas (1493-1494) between Portugal and Spain. When Christopher Columbus “discovered” the Americas, this particular real estate legally belonged to Portugal. The Papal Bulls (charter issued by the pope in the 15th century), indicated that any and all undiscovered lands west of a certain longitude belonged to Portugal.
Upon Columbus’ return, both countries claimed the new discovered lands. The pope sorted through the dispute, and declared that Spain would own all new lands west of a line 100 leagues. This was about 300 miles from the Cape Verde Islands. Portugal did not agree and pressed the issue until the two countries then ratified the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494. This particular treaty extended the line at 370 leagues from the islands which gave Brazil to Portugal. The rest then stayed with Spain. Thus, the reason why Brazilians speak Portuguese and not Spanish.
AUTHOR EVENTS AND NEWS
1) Look for a new audio and free book by Victor Villasenor coming out in the next few days. The book is called “DOLPHIN MIRACLE plus your own key to LIVING MIRACLES.” Check out the website at www.victorvillasenor.com
2) Look for Sonia Nazario’s new updated version of Enrique’s Journey being published by Random House. It will include an epilogue about the family, chapter on immigration, never before seen photos of Enrique and his family, as well as a Q & A with Sonia. Check out the website at www.enriquesjourney.com for new teaching guides, photos, and even a video of Enrique.
3) Check out the website www.literalmagazine.com. This is a forum for Latin American creative expressions and also a vehicle for those up and coming new voices.
4) 4) A great article in the Arizona Daily Star. http://azstarnet.com/lifestyles/faith-and-values/latino-authors-once-again-play-big-role-at-book-festival/article_9df45ea5-1889-5e1e-a261-e6588a385105.html
5) Please share the most important pledge, “The Educational Pledge” with all our young students and people in the schools and at home. To obtain your free copy, go to www.educationalpledge.com. You can also get your Spanish version, “La Promesa Educacional.” Alberto O. Cappas, Author/Poet.
6) Let’s congratulate Torrey Maldonado as he has just made the list “NYC Teen Summer Reading 2014 Booklist.” This is a list of books chosen by librarians at Brooklyn Public Library, New York Public Library, Queens Library, and the NYC Department of Education School Library System. This is a great honor! Check out the link at http://www.bklynpubliclibrary.org/sites/default/files/files/pdf/summerreading/NYC_Summer_Reading_2014_Grades_6-12_booklist_LGPRINT(1).pdf
SUGGESTED BOOKS TO READ THIS MONTH
“When I was Puerto Rican” by Esmeralda Santiago: This author has written several books, but this is a good memoir on being born in Puerto Rico and moving to Brooklyn and have to adapt to this new life.
“American Chica” by Marie Arana: This is an autobiographical book about growing up in two distinct cultures and what this entails. The dad is Peruvian and the mother is American.
“Lost City Radio” by Daniel Alarcón: This story is set in an unidentified Latin American Country and deals with the aftermath of a long drawn out civil war. It is a story detailing the lives of survivors who live through this tumultuous times.
