Featured Book
Native Soul
By Michael Rubcic
"An inspiring story of one boy's victory over family strife through the teachings of a vanishing culture."
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Native Soul describes the heart warming transformation of Frederico, a misunderstood boy of twelve, whose unwanted relocation has left him feeling utterly alone. Set during 1840, in California's early frontier, Frederico's family is trying to carve a ranching empire out of their newly acquired land grant. Frederico's father, preoccupied with the lucrative rancho business, loses track of his youngest son whose isolation is complicated by the constant torment of his deviant older twin brothers.
Frederico's only saviors are his beloved nanny and her Native American father. A special bond develops as they teach Frederico how to deal with his abusive brothers and distant father, allowing them all to transcend their ethnic differences. Throughout the story, Frederico learns the secret of living peacefully within his family and soul.
Native Soul offers an opportunity for the reader to immerse themselves in a delightful story with colorful characters and a riveting story line. This important first novel captures the turbulent transitional period between the demise of the Mission era and the birth of the grand Rancho life. Contemporary issues involving racial discrimination, family abuse, and loneliness help to place or tie in this novel with important matters of the present. We recommend Native Soul for the young adult and adult book markets.
