Name: Spreading the Feast Gathering
Start: 2025-07-11T00:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-07-12T23:59:59-05:00
Location: LaGrange, KY

Tagged: alamo, santa anna

This topic has 2 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 6 years, 11 months ago by Paula Spicer.

Viewing 3 posts - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

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June 25, 2018 at 8:38 am
Paula Spicer
Participant
My oldest two kids read all kinds of living books about American history and we did many lapbooks and unit studies.
But….I didn’t write the names of all the books down 🙁
Does anyone know the name of this book? I have no idea how I found years ago, whether it was an accidental library find or recommended on someone’s website, I just remember it was really, really good. I have searched every site I can think of and am coming up with nothing.
It was about the Alamo but it was written from the Mexican view point. It was about a boy who was forced into Santa Anna’s army and his grandmother? and two sisters followed him along with another girl from their village. It tells how the families of the soldiers followed the army and cooked for the men when the days marching was over. The boy’s two sisters die, I can’t remember from what but I thought they froze. It also goes into detail about the Alamo and how they were able to get over the walls, and even the later battle where they were defeated by Sam Houston and Santa Anna was captured. The boy also played some type of music for Santa Anna.
That’s all I can remember but hopefully someone knows the book I’m talking about. I really want my son to reread it for summer
Thanks
Paula
June 25, 2018 at 12:19 pm
Ruralmama
Participant
In the Shadow of the Alamo perhaps? It came up with a Google search. I’ve never seen it…looks interesting.
https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Alamo-Sherry-Garland/dp/0152017445
Here is the description:
Gr 5-8-Although Lorenzo Bonifacio is only 15, he is conscripted into the Mexican army for 10 years. At first, he and Esteban Esquivel, the 17-year-old son of the wealthiest landowner in the region, have nothing to do with one another, but in the end they become friends. Life in the army is vividly described, and the bloody battle scenes are realistically drawn. Hardships such as the lack of food, arbitrary justice, and the total loss of personal rights are part and parcel of this military experience. The conscripts are given outdated weapons and are not trained for battle as they are considered mere “cannon fodder.” The women and children who followed the men, including Lorenzo’s aunt and two younger sisters, suffer the same hardships, and many do not survive the arduous trip on foot to Texas. Santa Anna is portrayed as cruel and self-centered, desiring personal glory at all costs. Enduring physical hardships and personal tragedies, Lorenzo is transformed from a simple farmer to a soldier, and from a child to a man. Told from his perspective, the story provides a different point of view on a well-known historical event. Readers will sympathize with both the Mexican soldiers and with the rebels. A book that captures and holds young people’s attention.
June 26, 2018 at 1:56 pm
Paula Spicer
Participant
That’s it!!! (clap, clap, clap) Thank you so much Roslyn. Yes it was interesting and eyeopening. I’d recommend it for anyone studying the Alamo and Mexican War.
Thanks Again!!
paula