Cantos de adolescencia/ Songs of Youth: 1932-1937 Book

Thanks to Goodreads First Reads and Beyond Words Publishing, Inc. for a 40th Anniversary copy of Macho.

This novel by Victor Villaseñor covers the adventures and ambitions of 17-year-old Roberto Garcia as he works in the mountains of Michoacán, Mexico and dreams of a brighter future for himself and his family. Roberto's hard work in his community catches the eye of Juan Aguilar, a norteño, who offers Roberto a chance to join him working in the migrant fields of California. Norteños are mexicans who earn their riches up north in the United States and return to their communities in Mexico with money to burn. The reader experiences life as a Mexican immigrant through Roberto's eyes and soon learns that life as a migrant worker is a lot more difficult than originally envisioned.

The theme that stuck with me through this book is honor. Roberto faces many choices though his journey into California and back to Mexico, but he usually takes time to contemplate each choice and choose the more honorable path. Some labeled Roberto a coward for his choices. However, when you can stand by your beliefs in the face of persecution from others, that is a true measure of honor.

I enjoyed how Villaseñor gave opposing viewpoints to Cesar Chavez and his politics of the time. While Chavez wanted to better the conditions and wages of migrant workers at the time, many illegals resented his efforts to have them deported. Villaseñor does a good job of seeing both sides of this issue.