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Overview
In this deeply affecting novel Scott O’Dell envelops the reader in the heroic world of the conquistadors—a world that is at once somber and many-colored. Though they may have been ruthless, these steel-helmeted young men of Spain lived their lives on the very edge of eternity with style and uncommon courage.
Synopsis
There were seven of them when they left the summer camp of Coronado’s army and struck out into that unknown land, which is now our great Southwest, to find the golden cities of Cibola. Writing in his cell during the days of his trial for withholding the King’s Fifth, or royal share of treasure, Esteban de Sandoval, a young mapmaker, recalls all that happened since they left. The greedy and gold-hungry Captain Mendoza led the party, with an Indian girl, Zia, as a guide, on a hazardous expedition. For Esteban it was all an unbelievable adventure until the moment when he held in his hand a piece of the desired gold and for the first time felt its awful power.
“Motivations and characterizations are finely drawn . . . in this excellent novel of the sixteenth century which brings to life people and events.” Library Journal, starred review
“What a day to celebrate the day an author who has written a magnificent book comes through with another on which is equally magnificent! Scott O’Dell is the author, The King’s Fifth is the book he has created to join his multiple prize winner Island of the Blue Dolphins among the greats on young people’s bookshelves . . . It is the story of two journeys . . . together they make for a magnificent book.” Publishers Weekly
"Compelling, deeply felt story of a boy who, almost too late, comes to realize the awful cost of the lust for gold in honor and human life." - Booklist
Children's Literature
Scott O'Dell (1898—1989), the much-honored author of historical fiction, received a Newbery Honor for this insightful take on Spanish conquistadors in the New Spain of the 1540s. Their no-holds-barred lust for gold is seen through the eyes of fifteen-year-old cartographer Esteban de Sandoval as he joins mutineers in search of the fabled Seven Cities of Cibola. In company with the vicious Captain Mendoza, Zia—their Indian girl translator—and the well-meaning Father Francisco, Esteban maps the journey of search and warfare from the Gulf of California through the badlands and deserts of the southwest to the Grand Canyon and beyond. He tells his story in flashbacks while imprisoned and on trial for treason to the king of Spain. O'Dell does his own mapping of Esteban's character, subtly revealing the gold madness that almost destroys this basically decent young man. It's a bravura performance on O'Dell's part, and the long out-of-print book is very welcome back.