SOLIMAR: THE SWORD OF THE MONARCHS

SOLIMAR: THE SWORD OF THE MONARCHS by Pam Munoz Ryan

In honor of monarch butterflies, I picked up Pam Munoz Ryan's (author of Newberry winner Echo) new book, Solimar: The Sword of the Monarchs.

Set in Mexico in a kingdom bordering the oyamel forest where the Monarchs go to migrate, Solimar is the story of a soon-to-be crowned princess named Solimar. Solimar loves to visit the forest and see the butterflies, but this time when she comes something magical happens. She makes a promise to always protect the monarchs and holds out her rebozo (her wrap) and the weak and straggling butterflies land on it. Suddenly, she is surrounded by a swarm of butterflies flying around her and she hears chanting. The weak butterflies turn into a sort of shimmery sparkle and embed themselves into her rebozo. It is now Solimar's job to protect them until they are strong enough to join the other monarchs. With this responsibility comes an amazing gift that will be a blessing and a curse.

While all this is happening, a neighboring king is wanting to buy some of the oyamel forest to harvest the wood. Solimar's father refuses to sell any, but while he is away on a kingly mission the neighboring king comes in and takes the royal family hostage. Solimar escapes, and it is now up to her to save the kingdom and the monarchs.

HEADS UP - There is some magic in this book and talk of monarch ancestors. I didn't find it over bearing. It reminded me of Disney's Mulan in amount in the story.