The Secret Language of Prairie Dogs

Seventeen-year-old Santos Ramos is a curandero - Latinx shaman - living in desolate West Texas. When a mute boy crosses the border through a sinister smuggler, Santos finds himself fascinated by the voiceless teen. Santos craves a more traditional high school life of parties, studying for the SATs, and writing for the school blog but he was born with el don - the gift. People come to him for spiritual healing. Like his past Aztec roots, though, asking God for healing comes with the sacrifices of fevered charms, personal objects, snake venom and even the blood of animals. He struggles keeping his identity of el don from his All-American best friends'; Maverick and Victor who, like most of the town, are intrigued to know about the mysterious "Monster of Southland." The legendary hidden figure lurking at night leaving behind a trail of animal carcasses as sacrifices. Sixteen-year-old Dulcero Lopez and his younger sister immigrate from Honduras after witnessing the brutal murder of his parents' causing him to have aphasia and losing the ability to speak. The two head north - to the USA where Dulcero is separated from her by ICE. Voiceless Dulcero is sent to live with his abusive uncle, Juan, who is a coyote and who he cannot pay for bringing him over. His only way out of this hell, and to be reunited with his little sister, is through the healing hands of Santos. The end of his junior year has Santos questioning everything about who he is as a curandero while craving the freedom of becoming the teen he aches to be. When Dulcero arrives, Santos finds himself like the trailing dying light of a midnight star, falling - falling fast in love with the voiceless visitor who needs his healing hands.
ASIN: 1957864478
VSKU: BVV.1957864478.G
Condition: Good
Author/Artist:James Villanueva
Binding: Hardcover
Note: Any images shown are stock photographs and product may differ from what is shown.
Condition Notes: Missing dust cover, otherwise book is in good condition with some wear from normal use.