written by: Monica Brown and Illustrated by Elisa Chavarri

This beautifully illustrated, bilingual book has one page written in Spanish and the opposing page written in English. Spanish is the native language of Julio C. Tello, the main character in our story with the setting in the country of Peru. The story begins with the background history of Peru, bluntly and truthfully explaining the brutal invasion of Spain in the 1500s and the extermination attempt of the indigenous people’s and culture of Peru. Our main character grew up understanding the historya nd stories of his people and his respect and intellect will eventually help to tell the story of this ancient civilization.

As a young child Julio lives in the countryside and plays with courage in the tombs of his ancestors. His father sent the skulls to the city to be scientifically studied. At age 12 he moves to Lima with the financial assistance of his aunt, who was a maid for the presidential palace. Here he becomes educated. He went on to study medicine at the University of San Marcos. While working in the library, he came across an article about the skulls that he and his brothers found and his father had sent in to be studied. He decided to devote his medical skills to studying the Indigenous History of Peru. He went to America to attend Harvard University and study Archaeology, and then back to Lima Peru to work in the Museum of Natural History in Lima, Peru. He was able to prove that Peruvian people had originated from their own soil over 3,000 years ago. He went on to discover a group called, the Paracas who were over 25,000 years ago! Because of Julio, Peruviasns have discovered and told the world of their history. It began much earlier than the Spanish Conquest.

Sydney Rielly gets to stay with her mother in San Francisco for the summer, but she just doesn’t feel right from the start. She feels like she is missing out on IT but IT has lots of possibilities. Her mother is a formerly famous star who is dating a younger man and staying in an amazing house overlooking San Francisco Bay. Sydney does not feel comfortable there. The boyfriend creeps her out and it becomes apparent he is dealing with illegal artwork and is physically abusive to her mom. To avoid this drama, she seeks opportunities to explore outside her home, primarily down by the beach. Sydney will meet Nicco, an eclectic, creative type who doesn’t come from money. But will Nicco satisfy her desire for IT? When back around the house, in addition to the creepy boyfriend, the construction worker next door seems to have taken a liking to Sydney. Would a summer fling satisfy that IT craving? Maybe IT is just stability and love from her parents, something Syndey has not had in her life. Deb Caletti creates a mysterious vibe by starting each chapter with courtroom exhibit notes such as Exhibit 21: Silver locket w/broken chain belonging to Sydney E. Reilly, found at the south end of cove of Baker Beach. A reader knows all along that something will go wrong, but to whom and when? And what is IT? Thanks to the chilling mood throughout, this is a story that teens could enjoy. There are a few parts where the main character’s actions don’t ring true to other aspects of her character, almost as if Caletti was trying to do too much with the story. But this book could become discussion-worthy if a few people were to read it at the same time. Overall, it is recommended for purchase but by the paperback version. The cover art is much more intriguing.