Queen of Water

Queen of Water
By Laura Resau and María Virginia Farinango
Delacorte Press, 2011. 352 pgs. Young Adult

Virginia lives in poverty in a small village in Ecuador; she is indígena in a country where mestizos hold the wealth. When a mestizo family wants Virginia as a servant, her parents let her go. Virginia is beaten by the mistress of the house, although the husband, initially, is kind to her. She spends years with as a servant, thinking that her family didn't want her, and only when her situation becomes desperate does she think about leaving. But leaving means going back to her family, and Virginia doesn't want to be a poor indígena anymore, so she has to figure out how to achieve her dreams.

Based on a true story, this book provides an inspiring story of a girl who is determined to succeed in life as well as an interesting look at the social structure in Ecuador, but it reads more like a biography than a novel. So, for fans of narrative nonfiction, this would be a good fiction title to pick up, but those who are looking for a quick plot, this one isn't a good choice.

AE