The Queen of Water

Title: The Queen of Water

Author: Laura Resau and Maria Virginia Farinango

Publisher: Random House Children's Books

Publication Date: February, 2011

Genre/Format: Realistic Fiction/Novel

Goodreads Summary: Born in an Andean village in Ecuador, Virginia lives with her large family in a small, earthen-walled dwelling. In her village of indígenas, it is not uncommon to work in the fields all day, even as a child, or to be called a longa tonta—stupid Indian—by members of the ruling class of mestizos, or Spanish descendants. When seven-year-old Virginia is taken from her village to be a servant to a mestizo couple, she has no idea what the future holds.

In this poignant novel based on a true story, acclaimed author Laura Resau has collaborated with María Virginia Farinango to recount one girl's unforgettable journey to self-discovery. Virginia's story will speak to anyone who has ever struggled to find his or her place in the world. It will make you laugh and cry, and ultimately, it will fill you with hope.

What I Think: The Queen of Water reminds me of Sold by Patricia McCormick. It is one of those books that you begin reading and you hope that it takes place a hundred years ago, but then throughout the book, you begin to realize that it only took place a decade or two ago. Virginia is an indigenous girl living with her family in a small village in Ecuador. When she is only about 5 or 6, her parents sell her to a rich mestiizo (Spanish) family with the promise of trips back to her family and money; however, neither of these things happen- Virginia is treated like a slave and dreams of a better future. 

This book is about overcoming and discovering all that you can do. And what makes this book even more powerful is that it is based off of a true story- Maria Virginia Farinango told her story to Laura Resau who molded it into this beautiful novel.

Read Together: Grades 7 to 12

Read Alone: Grades 7 to 12

Read With: Sold by Patricia McCormick, Copper Sun by Sharon M. Draper, The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis, Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan, Bound by Donna Jo Napoli

Snatch of Text: 

 “And I feel like the Queen of Water. I feel like water that transforms from a flowing river to a tranquil lake to a powerful waterfall to a freshwater spring to a meandering creek to a salty sea to raindrops gentle on your face to hard, stinging hail to frost on a mountaintop, and back to a river again.” (p. 340)

Mentor Text for: Making connections, Predicting, Setting, Characterization
Topics Covered: Ecuador, Survival, Slavery, Poverty, Family, Abuse, Hope, Women, Equality

I *heart* It: