Trying to add a bit of fiber to my reading diet, too much teen romance may rot my teeth. I found this one sweet enough to be suspect though.

It has that sad whimsy that says John Steinbeck to me and it's a fast read that's probably good for you. In some ways the pearl that Kino finds reminded me of Frodo's ring. Even down to the fugitives hiding from a dark rider!

Mexico has had a sad history and not all of that sorrow has yet been exorcised. This story gives a flavor of that. It's by turns fanciful and touching, sad and heartwarming. Yet, it's not a happy tale and the morose quality that permeates these poverty-stricken lives must make this an unappealing read for many that are forced to read it.

I see that this book is on the listopia list "Read These In School - Would Have Preferred A Root Canal" personally, I disagree. This book is not painful as much as mildly depressing, and at only 82 pages, reading it was probably quicker than my last root canal.

If nothing else, this book reminded me that I need to read The Milagro Beanfield War. The movie was good and it has some of the same feel as this book.