Diving Bell

Culca longs to dive, but girls on her native island take care of the men. The divers are essential to the survival of the village as the pearls and shells they gather are used for trading. All is not well, however. When Spanish ships full of god sink in a storm, the village divers are taken to recover the treasure, and Culca must use her nimble wits and unflagging bravery to save her brother's life. Female roles, Spanish Colonial exploration of land and people are the themes of this story. Culca comes through as a strong female voice.

School Library Journal

Gr 4-7-- Culca longs to dive like her brother Tulone, but girls on her native island take care of the men. The divers are essential to the survival of the village as the pearls and shells they gather are used for trading. All is not well, however, as Spanish conquistadors want only gold from the New World. When ships full of it sink in a storm, the divers are taken to recover the treasure, and Culca uses her nimble wits and unflagging bravery to save her brother's life. Female roles and Spanish colonial exploitation of land and people are the themes of this brief account. The dual role of the church is shown through the contrast of a humble, sincere friar and the ostentatious church of the bishop. Character development is limited and flat except for Culca and the friar. When she takes on the powerful church and government of Colonial Spain, realism slides away. However, the simple plot and dialogue will hold readers' interest. Chief recommendations for the book are a simple vocabulary and sentence structure, single plot line, and nondidactic tone. Culca comes through as a strong female voice; issues are presented but are not belabored. Useful for younger or less capable readers, this might provide an opening for discussion of the Spanish in the New World. RealisRealistic black-and-white drawings appear in every chapter. --Gail Richmond, Point Loma High School, San Diego