Feathered Serpent, Dark Heart of Sky: Myths of Mexico by David Bowles (review)

Bowles, Mexican-American author, translator, and Pura Belpré honoree, pulls from sources including Nahuatl and Maya texts and brings together the myths and history of Mesoamerica to create a cohesive narrative that moves from pre-Columbian creation tales all the way through stories of Cortés and the Spanish invasion. While many of the nearly thirty tales themselves can be used separately, Bowles' contextualization of the legends within the region's past provides a fuller picture of the rich cultures nearly erased by colonialism. Each section (representing either an era or specific people) begins with a "convocation," which can be either an invitation to celebrate the abundance and depth of the foundations of Mexico's cultural identity or, in some cases, a request to bear witness to its near destruction. While certainly a treasure trove for storytellers, this is also highly valuable as a classroom resource for units on Mesoamerican history or examinations of how a place's myths are inherently linked to its history. A pronunciation guide, glossary, notes on sources, and a bibliography are included, while a table of contents opens the collection. KQG