The Walls Of Cartagena
by Durango, Julia
Ages 8-12.
A Junior Library Guild selection
Reviews
Review this book!
On Aug 28, 2008, feeney said
THE WALLS OF CARTAGENA is an historical novelette in the genre created by Sir Walter Scott. Its great world-historical backdrop is the American empire of Spain, especially its silver-producing Caribbean Basin. The dirty, hot port city of Cartagena in today's Colombia is the hub of Spain's trade in slaves imported, then bred to work silver mines and sugar plantations. In the late 1630s a Jesuit priest, Father Pedro, based on the historical Saint Peter Claver, works in Cartagena to save the souls and relieve the suffering of slaves, lepers and the dying, doing much as Mother Teresa would later do in Calcutta. Into this world a boy child is born to a dying mother on a newly arrived Portuguese slave ship quarantined in Cartagena harbor. He is rescued by Father Pedro and another slave, and kindly raised by a rich lady who teaches him to speak, read and write four European languages. On his own this little linguistic genius, based on a real character, also learns seven African tongues. He is baptized Amadeo de Angola but is called Calepino after a more famous European genius who mastered eleven languages. THE WALLS OF CARTAGENA is a first-person narrative by 13-year old Calepino. It is a spiritual "boy's adventure tale." Imagine Andy Hardy becoming a saint by losing his selfishness and learning to tend lepers. We touch the world of the Spanish Inquisition as it investigates the orthodoxy of a converted Jew who doctors the colony's lepers. We see a saint turn a blind eye to a little plot by Calepino to spirit an enslaved mother and son out of Cartagena to a village of runaway slaves in the interior. This he does with the help of a blind old leper, once a pirate, who then mobilizes his old chums to capture a ship belonging to the evil Spaniard on the man who had abused his slaves. A simple tale. It lays out true history as background for the coming of age spiritually of a gifted slave boy. THE WALLS OF CARTAGENA is fast-paced, with 36 unpretentious drawings, is aimed at children from eight to twelve, but can hold an adult, too. -OOO-
Available Copies
The Walls of Cartagena
by Durango, Julia
- Condition
- Used - Acceptable
- Published
- 2008
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9781416941026
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Seattle, Washington, USA
- Item Price
-
$6.06
Show Details
Description:
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2008. Hardcover. Acceptable. Missing dust jacket; Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed. Item Price
$6.06
The Walls of Cartagena
by Julia Durango
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Published
- 2008
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9781416941026
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Seattle, Washington, USA
- Item Price
-
$6.14
Show Details
Description:
Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, 2008. Hardcover. Good. Disclaimer:Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed. Item Price
$6.14
The Walls of Cartagena
by Durango, Julia
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9781416941026
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, GBR
- Item Price
-
$4.95
Show Details
Description:
Paperback. Very Good. Item Price
$4.95
The Walls of Cartagena
by Durango, Julia
- Condition
- UsedGood
- ISBN
- 9781416941026
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Interlochen, Michigan, USA
- Item Price
-
$6.15
Show Details
Description:
UsedGood. Former library book with the usual stamps, stickers and labels. The item shows wear from consistent use, but it remains in good condition and works perfectly. All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May NOT include discs, access code… Read more about this item Item Price
$6.15
The Walls of Cartagena
by Durango, Julia
- Condition
- Used - Good
- ISBN
- 9781416941026
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Reno, Nevada, USA
- Item Price
-
$6.74
Show Details
Description:
Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers. Used - Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Item Price
$6.74
The Walls of Cartagena
by Durango, Julia
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- ISBN
- 9781416941026
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Mishawaka, Indiana, USA
- Item Price
-
$6.66
Show Details
Description:
Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers. Used - Very Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Item Price
$6.66
The Walls of Cartagena
by Durango, Julia
- Condition
- Used - Good
- ISBN
- 9781416941026
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Mishawaka, Indiana, USA
- Item Price
-
$6.74
Show Details
Description:
Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers. Used - Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Item Price
$6.74