Selected for the USBBY Outstanding International Book List

In the early 1500s, Hernan Cortes and his conquistadors defeated the great Aztec Empire, built a new city for colonists from Spain and took control of vast lands stretching from today's southwestern US down through most of Central America.

But many people don't know that one of the reasons for the success of this conquest was the invaluable help of a beautiful woman, Princess Malinali, known today as La Malinche. She was a Nahuatl princess from the coast lands of Tabasco whose kingdom was at war with the Aztec Empire. Because of her knowledge of Maya and Nahuatl languages, and her rapid acquisition of Spanish, she came to act as an interpreter and advisor to Cortes. She also bore him a child.

La Malinche is described here as she often is in Mexico as the embodiment of a new culture, one in which the mixing of races, Spanish and Aztec, created a new world. This view is not shared by all Mexicans, however. For some La Malinche is the symbol of a great betrayal that led to the death of millions of her fellow indigenous people. No one disagrees, however, that La Malinche was an extraordinary woman, whose life is fundamental to understanding the history of ancient and modern Mexico.

Includes beautiful illustrations by Pablo Serrano, maps, a timeline and further reading.

About the Author
Francisco Serrano is a noted Mexican poet who also writes plays, librettos and children's books, and edits literary anthologies. He lives in Mexico City. Pablo Serrano is a visual artist who has shown his work in solo and group exhibitions. He received an honorable mention in the Aguascalientes 2002 competition for young artists. SUSAN OURIOU is an award-winning fiction writer and literary translator with over sixty translations and co-translations of fiction, non-fiction, children's and young-adult literature to her credit. She has won the Governor General's Literary Award for Translation. Jane, the Fox and Me, co-translated with Christelle Morelli, was named to IBBY's Honour List. She has also published Nathan, a novel for young readers. Susan lives in Calgary, Alberta.

Reviews
An inventive introduction to a fascinating historical figure. * Kirkus *
The overall design of La Malinche is well executed, resulting in an accessible overview of a complicated historic figure, discussing her mythical status without diminishing her personal history. -- Lara LeMoal * CM *


Awards
Commended for USBBY Outstanding International Book List 2013 (United States).



Book Information
ISBN 9781554981113
Author Francisco Serrano
Format Hardback
Page Count 36
Imprint Groundwood Books Ltd ,Canada
Publisher Groundwood Books Ltd ,Canada
Weight(grams) 411g
Dimensions(mm) 270mm * 206mm * 10mm