Fourteen-year-old TaÃna just learned that she is a descendant of a long line of strong TaÃno women, but will knowing this help her bring peace and justice to her family and community?
A pesar de su nombre, TaÃna Pérez no sabe nada de su herencia taÃna, ni ha intentado nunca aprender. Al fin y al cabo, cómo podrÃa ayudar la historia antigua de Puerto Rico con todo lo que está pasando? Hay constantes problemas en la escuela y en su barrio, han echado a su hermano mayor de casa y, como su madre está trabajando, le toca a ella sola cuidar de su hermano pequeño y de su abuela anciana. Es mucho para una niña de catorce años.
Pero la vida da un giro radical cuando su abuela le dice que es descendiente directa de Anacaona, la bienamada lÃder taÃna, guerrera y poeta, que fue asesinada por los españoles en 1503. La abuela también le regala un amuleto y un cemà y le dice que ha llegado el momento de asumir su poder como las mujeres que la precedieron. Pero es eso posible? La gente como ella apenas consigue salir de sus circunstancias, y los problemas de su hogar y de su comunidad son mucho más grandes de lo que TaÃna puede manejar. O lo son?
Un relato moderno intercalado con capÃtulos históricos, Claro de luna ofrece a los lectores una poderosa historia de lucha, esperanza y liberación colectiva del pueblo puertorriqueño y taÃno.
Despite her name, TaÃna Perez doesn't know anything about her TaÃno heritage, nor has she ever tried to learn. After all, how would ancient Puerto Rican history help with everything going on? There's constant trouble at school and in her neighborhood, her older brother was kicked out of the house, and with her mom at work, she's left alone to care for her little brother and aging grandmother. It's a lot for a fourteen-year-old to manage.
But life takes a wild turn when her abuela tells her she is a direct descendant of Anacaona, the beloved TaÃno leader, warrior, and poet, who was murdered by the Spanish in 1503. Abuela also gives her an amulet and a zemi and says that it's time for her to step into her power like the women who came before her. But is that even possible? People like her hardly make it out of their circumstances, and the problems in her home and community are way bigger than TaÃna can manage. Or are they?
A modern tale with interstitial historical chapters, The Moonlit Vine brings readers a powerful story of the collective struggle, hope, and liberation of Puerto Rican and TaÃno peoples.