Solimar

By Pam Muñoz Ryan

Informational Resources:

Author Information: 

Author Website: https://www.pammunozryan.com/

A video interview with Pam Muñoz Ryan (1:10): https://www.readingrockets.org/books/interviews/ryan

Activities & Resources:

Activities: 

Butterflies 

Watch a Breathtaking Monarch Swarm (3:07)

https://www.yout-ube.com/watch?v=lWOySU_hAz0

Monarch Butterfly | Amazing Animals (1:15)

https://www.yout-ube.com/watch?v=1b87rwtXGzA

University of Florida Chrysalis Cams

https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/exhibits/butterfly-rainforest/chrysalis-cam/

The Monarch's Forest Ecosystem

https://journeynorth.org/tm/monarch/SanctuaryFactsOyamel.html

Monarchs of Mckinney, Texas Art Display

https://www.mckinneytexas.org/2225/Monarchs-of-McKinney

Mexico

Quinceañera Traditions and History

https://www.familysearch.org/en/blog/quinceanera-traditions

Mexican Women Share Traditional Knowledge on Medicinal Plants

https://www.itto.int/sdg-details/mexican_women_share_traditional_knowledge_on_medicinal_plants

Muñeca De Trapo Mexicana photos

https://www.shutterstock.com/search/mu%C3%B1eca-de-trapo-mexicana?image_type=photo

Crafts

Flapping Butterfly Craft

https://onelittleproject.com/flapping-butterfly-craft/

Butterfly Crafts for Kids

https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/butterfly-crafts-for-kids-4129196

MakerSpace Activities: 

DIY Recycled Boats

https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/diy-recycled-boats/

Makerspace - STEAM Activity - Life Cycle of a Butterfly (4:47)

https://www.yout-ube.com/watch?v=9ogoyrpbZIU

Make Your Own Rebozo

https://cattleraisersmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/CRM6-Make-your-own-Rebozo.pdf

How to Make a 3D Butterfly Model

https://www.steamsational.com/butterfly-science/

Washi Tape Butterflies

https://artsymomma.com/butterfly-washi-tape-craft.html

Discussion Questions:

The story begins with Solimar crossing the creek to wait for the arrival of the butterflies.  Crossing the creek without an adult present is forbidden but Solimar makes the choice to do so anyway. Why did you think Solimar made this choice? Have you ever felt like her and thought maybe breaking the rules would be ok in certain situations?

On page 9, Solimar and Abuela are talking about what they believe a princess should look like.  Abuela believes princesses should have long hair and be “lady-like” while Solimar believes they can wear their hair short, like her, or however they’d like. What do you think? Do princesses have to look a certain way or can they look how they’d like and still serve their kingdom well?

In chapter three, Solimar and Abuela begin to suspect that Solimar might be under a spell. The uncertainty sends a shiver through Solimar even though she doesn’t feel cold. Do you think Solimar might be feeling stress from this? What other signs of stress is Solimar showing from these developments?

Feeling confused and worried, Solimar confides everything about sneaking into the forest and the magical rebozo to her best friend, Maria. How do you think having a trusted friend to talk to helps Solimar? 

In chapter six, Solimar’s brother, Campeon, tells her he doesn’t wish to be king one day and has plans to run away when he reaches El Gran Mercado. What are Campeon’s reasons for not wanting to meet his parents’ expectations for his life? What would you do if you were under the same pressure?

In chapter eight, Solimar meets Doña Flor Espinoza. Solimar has always heard she was una bruja, or a witch and was afraid of her. After meeting her, Solimar realized Doña Flor was a good and kind person. What do you think Solimar learned about judging people without knowing them?

On page 80, Solimar arrives at her dressing room and can hear King Aveno holding Queen Rosalinda, Abuela, and their attendants hostage. King Aveno tells them they are under house arrest until King Sebastian agrees to sell them 10,000 acres and he speaks to Solimar. What do you predict is the reason he insists on speaking to Solimar?

How would you feel if your mother and grandmother were in danger like Solimar’s family members were? She showed great bravery in running away to save herself and finding a way out but what other emotions do you think she was feeling?

Doña Flor comes up with a plan to help Solimar get to her father in Puerto Rivera. In what ways did she help Solimar? 

On page 98, Solimar meets Berto after he saves her from the waterfalls. How did he save her and what does she promise him in return?

Berto has built his living quarters all from things he’s found in The Confiscator. What does he mean when he says “The river just keeps on giving”?

Berto calls himself a flume-ologist and was taught by his father to build chutes and slides. How does he intend to help his family and home with this skill?

On page 113, Solimar and Berto are preparing for the next day of travel down the river. When Solimar settles into bed, she thinks of her father and tries not to cry. Have you ever been homesick before? What does it feel like?

Before rafting down the river with Berto, Zarita gives Solimar a pep talk to help her feel brave. Think of a time when someone has given you a pep talk when you were scared. Did it help you feel brave? 

Chapter eighteen is called Devil’s Teeth because of the dangerous river path and rocks. At one point, Solimar fears her friends didn’t make it. How did Berto save Zarita?

When Berto and Solimar get to El Gran Mercado, they wait by the road leading to the San Gregorio camp to intercept Campeón. Berto intercepts Campeón but Campeón doesn’t trust him until he sees who?

After hearing Solimar’s story, Campeón makes the choice to stay in El Gran Mercado instead of leaving on La Quinta. Do you think this was a hard decision for Campeón to make? What would you have done if you were in his shoes?

On page 176, Solimar finds a note in her sandwich that says “Don’t eat the pastries.” We later find out the pastries contain something that makes everyone who eats them fall in love with a household item. How did this spell help the success of San Gregorio and what does this prove about the fact that everyone has a part in team success?

King Aveno drapes the rebozo around himself and a powerful tornado takes him and Juan Pedro away. By taking King Aveno and Juan Pedro away, the kingdom was saved but it left the rebozo weak. Even though her kingdom was now safe, Solimar still felt sad about the rebozo. Why?

On page 189, Campeón tells Solimar that he and their father signed legal papers making Solimar the Prince regent while Campeón serves on La Quinta. He then winks and tells her she will be in charge until he returns or if he returns. What do you think that wink means?

Book Talk Teasers:

Read the reader’s theater for Solimar.

Watch the book trailer on the Texas Bluebonnet Award YouTube Channel.

Watch the author's interview on the Texas Bluebonnet Award YouTube Channel

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Reviews:

Ryan, Pam Muñoz. Solimar : The Sword of the Monarchs. Disney, Hyperion, 2022.

Booklist

Solimar : The Sword of the Monarchs

By Pam Muñoz Ryan (author)

Feb. 2022. 272p. Disney/Hyperion, $17.99 (9781484728352) Grades 3-7.

REVIEW: First Published December 1, 2021 (Vol. 118, No. 7) (Booklist)

Solimar Guadalupe is excited to see the arrival of the monarch butterflies in the kingdom of San Gregorio this year, just a few days before her coronation and quinceañera. After sitting by the creek and admiring the butterflies from a distance, she decides to cross to the other side, which has been strictly forbidden in the past. After becoming engulfed by monarchs spiraling around her, she is marked as the monarchs’ protector and bestowed with the magical ability to tell the near future, which is both a blessing and a curse. One day when the kingdom is left vulnerable, a villainous king seizes the region. With everyone else captured, Solimar is faced with the duty of saving her kingdom and the monarch butterflies. Award-winning author Ryan has skillfully crafted a story using cultural elements from Mexico with a generous sprinkling of magic. In this story of courage, determination, and ingenuity, readers will 

Used with the permission of Booklist  https://www.booklistonline.com/

School Library Journal Xpress (February 11, 2022) 

Gr 3-6-Solimar is turning 15, preparing to have her quinceañera and be crowned as princess of San Gregorio. Her older brother, Campeó, is the heir apparent to the kingdom, though he doesn't wish to be. Meanwhile, her parents, the king and queen, are in danger from the neighboring king, who wishes to take their land. On their land is the magical oyamel forest, known for the migrating monarch butterflies. When Solimar crosses the river to see the butterflies, they magically settle upon her. After she returns home, her rebozo (a scarflike shawl) starts to glisten and Solimar learns she has inherited an unusual power. She is able to see into the near future while wearing the rebozo, making her a target and a risk to the butterflies and those she loves. It's up to Solimar to single-handedly save the butterflies and the entire kingdom, including her family. But difficulties abound, including a kidnapping and travels down the treacherous Rio Diablo river with her sidekicks Quetzal, Lazaro, an enchanted doll named Zarita, and a young boy named Berto in tow. Solimar's relationship with her abuela is touching, and the characters are all well developed. The story is rich with vibrant imagery, suspense, and humor. VERDICT Muñoz Ryan has given readers a strong and appealing Latinx heroine, while weaving in beautiful elements of culture, ancestry, family values, and gender equality.-Michele Shaw © Copyright 2022. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Reprinted with permission from School Library Journal ©2022

Additional Reviews Available

• Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, 01/01/22

• Kirkus Reviews, 05/01/22

• New York Times, 03/13/22

• Publishers Weekly, 12/20/21