''...And Now Miguel'' is a novel by
Joseph Krumgold
Joseph Quincy Krumgold (April 9, 1908 – July 10, 1980) was an American writer of books and screenplays. He was the first person to win two annual Newbery Medals for the most distinguished new American children's book.
Life
Krumgold was born in ...
that won the
Newbery Medal for excellence in American
children's literature
Children's literature or juvenile literature includes stories, books, magazines, and poems that are created for children. Modern children's literature is classified in two different ways: genre or the intended age of the reader.
Children's ...
in 1954.
It deals with the life of Miguel Chavez, a 12-year-old
Hispanic-American
Hispanic and Latino Americans ( es, Estadounidenses hispanos y latinos; pt, Estadunidenses hispânicos e latinos) are Americans of Spanish and/or Latin American ancestry. More broadly, these demographics include all Americans who identify as ...
shepherd from
New Mexico
)
, population_demonym = New Mexican ( es, Neomexicano, Neomejicano, Nuevo Mexicano)
, seat = Santa Fe
, LargestCity = Albuquerque
, LargestMetro = Tiguex
, OfficialLang = None
, Languages = English, Spanish ( New Mexican), Navajo, Ker ...
. It is also the title of a 1953 documentary directed by Krumgold.
In 1966, a feature film adaptation was directed by
James B. Clark and starred
Pat Cardi.
Plot summary
Miguel Chavez has dreamed of visiting the
Sangre de Cristo Mountains
)
, country= United States
, subdivision1_type= States
, subdivision1=
, parent= Rocky Mountains
, geology=
, orogeny=
, area_mi2= 17193
, range_coordinates=
, length_mi= 242
, length_orientation= north-south
, width_mi= 120
, w ...
since he was very little. This summer, he is going to work hard and pray until his father and grandfather realize that he is ready to take the trip with the rest of the older men.
His prayers are granted, though ironically – when his older brother is drafted his father needs an extra body and grudgingly allows Miguel to accompany them. Miguel is miserable with the manner in which his wish has been granted, and confesses to his brother what he prayed for. His brother explains that he had been praying to leave New Mexico and see more of the world – while he is not happy about being drafted, he fatalistically accepts that it is the only way he is likely to be able to fulfill his dream. The brothers resolve to allow God to work freely for the rest of their lives, and not bother God with petty requests.
Illustrations
The book was illustrated by artist
Jean Charlot, described as "the greatest artist ever to devote himself regularly to the field of children's books". The ''New York Herald Tribune'' reviewer gave credit to Charlot: "Fully half of our pleasure in the book lay in the superb Charlot drawings."
[New York Herald Tribune Book Review, November 15, 1953]
References
External links
*
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Newbery Medal–winning works
1953 American novels
American children's novels
Novels set in New Mexico
1953 children's books
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