Revenge of the Aztecs: A Story of 1920s Hollywood FROM THE PUBLISHER
In 1923, Alicia Martinez, living with Los Angeles oil millionaires, is thrilled to be cast in Revenge of the Aztecs, an epic film being produced in Hollywood by her best friend's father. When idols topple, rocks roll down hilss, and other mysterious events occur, Alicia must find out if these happenings are just accidnets or if she is the target of a criminal plan that threatens the completion of the movie as well as her safety. If they are not accidents, who is behind them? Could it be someone Alicia has loved and trusted for years? And if it is, can Alicia ever trust again?
Jamestown's American Portraits explores the growth of different generations and cultures through the lives of young boys and girls. These titles are told from a diverse group of boys and girls, coming from different and unique backgrounds that represent America's own diverse population, spanning from the Jamestown Settlement to the Civil Rights Movement.
FROM THE CRITICS
Children's Literature - Moira Rose Donohue
Fourteen-year old Alicia Martinez' pleasant life in 1920's Hollywood is turned upside down the summer that her best friend's father casts her in "Revenge of the Aztecs," a movie with big-screen idols Richard Scott Davies and Lylah Lynne. Alicia discovers that she loves acting and the excitement of the movies. But once the director yells "Action!", Alicia gets more action than she bargained for. First, the Aztec idol on the set topples and narrowly misses her. Then a boulder rolls into her path and she barely escapes. And during the ritual dance scene, she is certain someone pushes her. Despite her newly assigned bodyguard, Alicia isn't sure whom she can trust. After being kidnapped and then released by the bodyguard, Alicia learns that the head of publicity was just trying to create excitement for the new movie! This book boasts that it is aligned to state and national standards (although these standards are not specified). Author Susan Pfeffer manages to weave in numerous tidbits about life in Hollywood in the early 1920's. Unfortunately, these fact digressions stiffen the already stilted dialog. Moreover, while the linear plot is aimed at 5th or 6th graders, at age fourteen, the heroine is too old for the age group. 2004 (orig. 2000), Waterbird Books/School Specialty Children's Publishing, Ages 8 to 12.
Children's Literature - Children's Literture
It is 1923 in Hollywood, and Alicia Martinez, age fourteen, is tapped for the movie role as the daughter of an Aztec high priest in a movie about Cortez. An orphan who has been taken in by oil company millionaires, Alicia is discovered by the head of Galaxy films. Like many young actresses before and since, Alicia discovers that movie making and movie stars are not as glamorous as they might at first appear. A series of accidents convinces Alicia that someone is bent on injuring her, although she can't imagine why. After she is kidnapped, driven to a remote mountain cabin, and then let go, the truth comes out. The story is fast-paced, but as contrived and superficial as the Revenge of the Aztecs film in which Alicia acts, although both the book and the film have the trappings of "historical research." Neither the copies of 1920s movie posters or a car advertisement included at the end of the book have much relationship to the story, nor does the brief timeline on the cover. Part of "Jamestown's American Portraits" series. 2000, Jamestown, Ages 9 to 12, $5.95. Reviewer: Linnea Hendrickson
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