Story of a young man living in the Andes with his mentor, and how he learns the ways of the Incas. Mildly interesting, with lots of spiritual and mystic elements. Some portions of the story were rather vague, unclear, and so not satisfying to me. ( )

As with many Newbery books, I found this fascinating as an adult. I'm not sure my younger self would have liked it. It does seem that Ann Nolan Clark did her research. She traveled extensively and wrote a number of books to capture cultures not usually covered in children's books of the time. ( )

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I really wanted to like this book. I had such high hopes! It won the Newberry Award! What a disappointment! I read it aloud to my class of fifth graders. It was a labor of love..
It had so much potential. The subject matter and the setting alone could have made it interesting. Reading it aloud emphasized the stiff and unnatural writing. The story plodded along. I am glad its over! ( )

Newbery Medal 1953. Cusi, an Incan boy, lives with the aged Chuto high in the Andes in a Hidden valley. They care for the Inca's llamas. He learns his place in the mysterious world of the Inca. ( )