Lorenzo De Zavala

VOYA

Each book in this series, "Latinos in American History", introduces a person of Spanish or Latin American heritage who made a significant contribution to North American history. The books reviewed are highly readable, but the illustrations are mediocre, reminiscent of an old textbook. Lorenzo de Zavala is the story of a man who was born in the Spanish Yucatan in 1789. During his life, he fought for both Mexico's independence from Spain and Texas's independence from Mexico. He served three terms as the vice president of Texas before his death in 1836. Zavala provides more of what one would expect from a series about "the many significant contributions Latinos have made in American history." It tells the life of a man born in the hemisphere who made significant contributions to two nations, but whose name has been lost in the tides of time. His biography provides a good introduction to a overlooked segment of American history. With additional titles on figures such as Gaspar de Portola, Hernando de Soto, and Juan Ponce de Leon, this series is a welcome addition to expanding cultural history collections. Glossary. Index. Illus. Photos. Chronology. VOYA Codes: 4Q 3P M J (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Will appeal with pushing; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2003, Mitchell Lane, 48p. PLB
— Beth Karpas