Richmond Tales: Lost Secrets of the Iron Triangle

by Summer Brenner, Miguel Pérez (Illustrator)

When Maisha and Mario become friends, their adventures takes them on a journey to discover the "lost secrets" of the Iron Triangle, a district of Richmond, California. Their journey takes them back to Richmond in Ohlone times before the Europeans arrived; Richmond in 1915 when it was a small, bustling, industrial city; Richmond in 1942 when World War II and the Home Front dramatically changed Richmond and created one of the largest ship-building centers in the nation; and forward into Richmond of the future after Maisha and Mario have grown up and helped make the city a beautiful, peaceful place to live.

213 pages, Paperback

First published June 18, 2009

About the author

Summer Brenner was raised in Atlanta, Georgia. She moved north, east, and eventually west, taking up residence in Berkeley where she has been a long-time resident.

Her writing has appeared in dozens of anthologies and literary magazines. Performances of her work include "The Flood," a poem for four voices at Links Hall, Chicago; The Missing Lover, a one-act play, with readings directed by Peter Glazer; and the poetry and musical extravaganza, Arundo (with Summer Brenner, Andy Dinsmoor, Bob Ernst, Hal Hughes, and GP Skratz). She has given scores of readings in the United States, France, and Japan. Grant awards include the California Arts Council, the Creative Work Fund, and in partnership with Community Works, The Christensen Fund and Lesher Foundation.

Currently, she works on literacy projects in Richmond, California. She is author of more than ten books of poetry and fiction.

Anthologies include:
American Poetry Since 1970: Up Late; American Poets Say Good-Bye to the 20th Century; Cradle and All; Deep Down: New Sensual Writing by Women; The Erotic Impulse; Rising Tides: 20th Century Women Poets; The Stiffest of the Corpse; The Unmade Bed; Wreckage of Reason: Anthology of XXperimental Women Writers Writing in the 21st Century, et al.

Reviews

[Brandon Espejo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Miasha whants to know the history behind the Iorn Triangle in Richmond California. As always, she never gets her answer. When told to visit a man named misty horn, she recives more than an answer.
I reccommend this book to people who are intrested in history, because you learn alot about the history of richmond.

[Angelica Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, love the ending totally recommend it. And how realistic it is like most of the stuff that they say in the story could happen in real life like when the boy that was Marsha neighbor got shot for being in a gang ways sad.and really exciting and I liked that they could time travel with the ester egg.

[Willa · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was supossed to read this over the summer at my last school in 4th grade and I hated it. I feel like it wasn't proper for my grade level, so I didn't enjoy it at all. I read the first 2 chapters, then emailed my teacher saying that I DID NOT WANT TO READ THIS BOOK UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!!!!

[Leah Coffin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The vision of the future this book projects got me right in the gut. Here's hoping we can make it come true.

[Jocelyn Reynoso · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this book! This story was about kids who didn't get along at first but then they became great friends after traveling back into time and seeing what Richmond was like many years ago.

[Myrka Solis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was good i like how maisha (i think that's how you spell it) is very curious and like to do things and explore.

[Magnolia M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book. I remember seeing it everywhere when I was a kid. My brother and his friends had copies when they were in elementary school. We all grew up in the area the book is based off of. We recognize the streets, buildings, etc. I think they had a signed copy from the author? Now, I’m an adult and finishing University. The title of the book resurfaced as an old memory. In a single afternoon, I read the book and enjoyed it. The writing is simple enough for children to understand and provides interesting history for Richmond, CA. I’ve always desired to learn the history but never have time to search up journals/articles. It presents the information in a digestible and fun way!

[Ashley Guzman · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just finished reading Richmond Tales:Lost Secrets of the Iron Triangle by Summer Brenner. I rated it a two because it wasn't interesting enough to get more. Richmont Tales: Lost Secrets of the Iron Triangle is about this two kids Maisha and Mario met this old crazy man who was very wise and traveled around California to find secrets from the Iron Triangle. I don't really recomend this book but I hope there someone who would like to read it.

[William Frohlich · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a YA book, maybe a Jr HS reading level. It appeared in my Little Free Library, so I just thought I grab it and read. I knew nothing of it before I picked it up.

I figured it was going just ho-hum. I was very pleasantly surprised. I really liked it. Interesting view of inner-city Richmond. Flows into a interesting history. Personally I loved it..

[Aden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ricmond tales:Lost Secretes of the Iron Triangle is by Summer Btenner.Is about Maisha and Mario have grown up and helped make the city a great and peaceful place to live.They make new freinds and new enemies and battle the outside world.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, now I know why the Iron Triangle is called the Iron Triangle. Interesting read teaching young adults (and 63 year olds) about the history of Richmond, California. A chatty, educational book while giving an open minded perspective of human behavior. I enjoyed it. I am a Richmond native.