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Where are my mountains
burro and sky?
What happened to the
tree branch I called “Horse”?
Tia’s warm rhubarb pies
Abuela’s coconut candies
Mami’s carved armario
The papagallo’s profanity
El niño Dios
My embroidered dresses
Mami’s kept hands
Papi’s fedora
Abuelo’s stallion
Tea at 4
Chocolate por la noche
Chickens en el patio
Salamanders en el jardín
The Bleeding heart on the
wall the candle beneath?
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- Forward of the novel
"The story of exploration for self-identity and cultural pride will resonate with and validate the experiences of many; while bringing attention to critical issues of race, class, and privilege. Find yourself in this captivating piece."
​
Dr. Damary Bonilla-Rodriguez
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Lea
Back to El Dorado
This debut novel set in Nueva York and the green Andes of Colombia follows a young woman’s journey away from family as she explores her fractured identity to find meaning in the beauty of her heritage.
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When fifteen year old Reyna, born in Colombia, raised in New York, arrives at the boarding school in Colombia where Mami and Papi have sent her because they feel she’s becoming “too Americana,” we journey with her as she must study in Spanish for the first time as well as navigate the sociopolitical realities of a Colombia where La Violencia is growing and the teachings of Dr. Camilo Torres are beginning to have an impact.
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