The Maldonado Miracle

by Theodore Taylor

Book Overview

Twelve-year-old Jose Maldonado used to dream of becoming a fine artist. But this son of a poor Mexican farmer now focuses on survival, not art. After Jose's mother died, his father left to work in the United States, leaving Jose on his own in Mexico. When it's time for father and son to reunite, things go terribly wrong. Jose's attempt to cross the border is harrowing, and his stay at a migrant worker camp turns into a nightmare, forcing him to flee...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0152050361
• ISBN13: 9780152050368
• Release Date: August 2003
• Publisher: Clarion Books
• Length: 167 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.4" x 7.0"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

"Kyle's Book Review"

The Maldonado Miracle compares to the modern world day in some parts of the story. For example, some Americans still treat foreigners badly. Another is that some parts of Mexico are still poor. One way that it is different is that there aren't as many farm "pickers" in the United States anymore. I have never actually been to Mexico or California, but Theodore Taylor made me feel as if I was really in those places when Jose was in Mexico and when he was in California. He made me feel as if I was really going to Jose's friend Enrique's place. He also made me feel as if I was the one crossing over into the United States illegally instead of Jose. I also felt that I was actually walking with Jose and Giron in the town of San Ramon, California. Jose is one of the reasons that I liked the book. He speaks Spanish, but some English words he will recognize and use common sense and do something. Jose to me has the type of attitude that makes you feel like you're going through what he is going through. In this book, Jose tells you things about life in Colnett, Mexico and so much more as the story goes on. Sanchez and Giron are key characters in the story. Sanchez is Jose's dog. Sanchez was not supposed to go to the United States with Jose originally, but there was an incident. Giron's full name is Rafael Giron. He was the kind man that let Jose stay with him in his cabin. He helped Jose while they were at Haine's Main, the farm they worked at. Two other important characters are Father Lebeon and Maldonado. Father Lebeon is a father at the mission in San Ramon. Maldonado is the bony, tall father of Jose. The major theme of the story is about unfair treatment. Jose doesn't know about Eddie cheating him until Giron told him. Eddie was paying Jose only seventy five cents an hour. Giron tried to get Gutierrez to make Eddie pay Jose more but the attempt was unsuccesful. After Jose runs away Giron tries to get the rest of Jose's money for him. Eddie wouldn't let him. Eddie does not help a soul and just sits back while the workers struggle to survive. Because of that, Jose runs away. In the beginning Jose crosses over into the United States illegally and then goes to work at Haines' Main, in San Ramon. This is after his father, Maldonado, goes into the United States illegally four months previous to when Jose does. After unfair treatment Jose runs away to another part of San Ramon. While there, blood from his injured shoulder drips on a statue of Jesus. People in the town call it a miracle but Father Lebeon keeps denying it. Father Lebeon talks with Jose and decides that it is a miracle. After Father Lebeon takes Jose to his father. After that they go to Mexico, again. In today's world the things that happened in this book could happen in a poor country or with illegal immigrants. It doesn't necessarily have to happen under those circumstances though. If you want to know what happens to Jose and other characters then you should read

The Maldonado Miracle

The Maldonado Miracle, by Theodore Taylor, is about Jose Maldonado's, a twelve-year-old boy, adventures while trying to reunite with his father. His mother has recently died from cancer and his dad left him to go to California to get a better job. Jose was left alone in his poor Mexican village. Anybody should be able to imagine the amount of suffering he has been through. The adventure begins when Jose and his dog, Sanchez, sneak under a fence at the border of Mexico and the United States, in order to reunite with his dad. Jose intended to meet his dad at a farm, but his dad had been transferred to a different farm, 150 miles away. Jose impatiently waited ten more days until the meeting with his dad. However, before the ten days were up, he and Sanchez had to run away because Sanchez bit an American worker while protecting Jose from being attacked. This was my favorite part of The Maldonado Miracle, and it was also the climax. I could visualize being as frightened as Jose and fearing for Sanchez's life. The adventure continues as they find ways to survive in a small, near-by town. In the second part of The Maldonado Miracle, two miracles occur. While Jose and Sanchez were hiding in a church, the blood from his fresh wound drips onto a cross, which is the first miracle and causes quite a commotion throughout the town. The second miracle was when Jose and Sanchez finally meet up with his dad; that leads to a surprise ending. This is the second book I have read by Theodore Taylor. The first book I read was The Cay. I enjoyed both of these conflict-filled and on the edge stories. I would recommend The Maldonado Miracle to anyone who enjoys a short adventure book. After getting through the slow moving first three chapters, I was hooked as each of Jose's adventures unfolded. I would give this book 4 out of 5 stars. By: Daniel Caesar

Running Scared.

THE MALDONADO MIRACLE is a story about a fourteen year-old boy named Jose who becomes an illegal immigrant to the United States to meet up with his father. Jose's mother died four months before the story began and Jose's father, Maldonado, has gone to the U.S. to find work and a place to stay. After getting settled in, he sends for Jose.Jose is forced to sell everything he has, except for his dog Sanchez, to make the illegal trip across the border. When he arrives at the place he is supposed to meet Maldonado, he learns that his father has been sent elsewhere and will not be back for sometime. Jose is then sent to a migrant worker camp to await until his father returns. While there a man attempts to rape Jose, but is severely wounded by Sanchez. Afraid that they will shoot his dog, Jose flees. He recieves a puncture wound along the way and spends the night in an old church, not realizing that his blood had dripped upon a statue of Jesus. Jose leaves the next morning, but soon all of Southe-western California is flocking to the mission at San Ramon to see the miracle. When Jose learns of this, is forced with a decsion to tell the truth and possibly be deported or let many people live in a lie.THE MALDONADO MIRACLE is not a spectacular piece of work. However, the plot is good and the characters of Jose, Giron, and Father Lebeon are fairly well developed. The story seems to move slowly, but in fact it does not. It is written in a style that Hispanics actually live life, slow and steady with no rush. The book raises some issues about illegal aliens and their treatment in and outside of this country and it also has something to say about faith.Overall, not too bad of a book that has some important messages to say. Reading THE MALDONADO MIRACLE is a nice way to spend a lazy afternoon.

Beautiful Reality

This is real life for some children. I thought this was a fantastic book, very realistic.I would recommend this book to all of my students.

I liked this one

I really liked this book. I thought that Jose was a great character. I would recommend this to my friends.