The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind

by Meg Medina

Sonia’s entire village believes she has a gift, but it’s only in leaving home that she finds out who she truly is. A compelling tale from a rich new voice in young adult fiction.

Sixteen-year-old Sonia Ocampo was born on the night of the worst storm Tres Montes had ever seen. And when the winds mercifully stopped, an unshakable belief in the girl’s protective powers began. All her life, Sonia has been asked to pray for sick mothers or missing sons, as worried parents and friends press silver milagros in her hands. Sonia knows she has no special powers, but how can she disappoint those who look to her for solace? Still, her conscience is heavy, so when she gets a chance to travel to the city and work in the home of a wealthy woman, she seizes it. At first, Sonia feels freedom in being treated like all the other girls. But when news arrives that her beloved brother has disappeared while looking for work, she learns to her sorrow that she can never truly leave the past or her family behind. With deeply realized characters, a keen sense of place, a hint of magical realism, and a flush of young romance, Meg Medina tells the tale of a strongwilled, warmhearted girl who dares to face life’s harsh truths as she finds her real power.

Genres: Young Adult, Magical Realism, Fantasy, Fiction, Contemporary, Historical Fiction, Romance

257 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2012

About the author

Meg Medina served as the 2023-2024 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. She is the author of the Newbery Medal–winning book Merci Suárez Changes Gears, which was also a 2018 Kirkus Prize finalist, and which was followed by two more acclaimed books about the Suárez family: Merci Suárez Can’t Dance and Merci Suárez Plays It Cool. Her young adult novels include Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass, which won the 2014 Pura Belpré Author Award, and which was published in 2023 as a graphic novel illustrated by Mel Valentine Vargas; Burn Baby Burn, which was long-listed for the National Book Award; and The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind. She is also the author of picture books No More Señora Mimí / No más Señora Mimí, Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away / Evelyn del Rey se muda, illustrated by Sonia Sánchez, Jumpstart’s 2020 Read for the Record selection; Mango, Abuela, and Me, illustrated by Angela Dominguez, which was a Pura Belpré Author Award Honor Book; and Tía Isa Wants a Car, illustrated by Claudio Muñoz, which won the Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award; and biographies for young readers She Persisted: Sonia Sotomayor and She Persisted: Pura Belpré, the latter with Marilisa Jiménez García.

The daughter of Cuban immigrants, she grew up in Queens, New York, and now lives in Richmond, Virginia.

Reviews

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

“…they confessed they had always had a soft spot for old mountain stories like his, for tales of humble people and the courage it took to live their days. For true stories of magic and love.”

Initial Final Page Thoughts.
I have a soft spot for old mountain stories like this.

High Points.
Sonia. Pancho. Rafael. Oscar. Trains. Valleys. Milagos. Abuela. Spirits. Superstitions. Hibiscus. Poetry. History. Traditions. Community. Humble mountain folk. Family. Wishes. Tres Montes. Longing to be ordinary. The shades of a reading tree.


Low Points.
I think I had come to the conclusion that this book was going to be a magical realism book when it actually wasn’t. When I read the synopsis I got so excited because it sounded so completely different to anything I had read. I’ve always loved magical realism and superstitions and old traditions and “old mountain stories” and although this book has some of these elements; I was expecting more.
I don’t really want to go into detail but there were certain situations that, although were incredibly well-written and harrowing, seemed to eclipse Sonia’s story.
The more I think about it, actually, the more I realise how misleading the title of this book is. It’s not really about The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind because a great chunk of the book isn’t even told from her perspective.
I think this book is about community, friendship and family above everything, which is great and makes a refreshing change from “It’s my destiny to save the world blah blah blaaah”.
I’ve just read through those above paragraphs and realised I’ve said a lot without actually saying anything. I guess my only low point is that I assumed that this book was going to be a different book than it actually was.
I just wished we had been allowed to spend more time in the shade of a reading tree telling stories of superstitions, ghosts, traditions, community, magic and anonymous hibiscus flowers on your window ledge.

Heroine.
Like I mentioned before, I really wish we had spent more time with Sonia because she was not only an incredibly likeable heroine (a novelty in YA, I know) but a well-thought out and original character.
One of the main things I loved about Sonia was that, even though she was described as ‘special’ because of the belief that she had the power to heal people (cue alarm bells), there was so much more to her than that.
I often wonder with some of the ladies in YA fiction, you know the ones “I’m special because it’s my destiny to save the world and get stuck in a love triangle”, what would happen if you took away their “special-ness”.
Yeah, Sonia had something that those girls lack: personality.
She was clever, hardworking, funny, loyal and I loved her.
Also, I believe that shawls are an incredibly underrated garment.

Love Interest Hero
Yeaaah Pancho was a hero. He was the hero of this story.
I think my heart now belongs to a green eyed Chilean taxi-driver with dreams of being a poet.
*glares at Sonia*

Rafael.
HA. I have such a weakness for cheeky boys with a healthy appetite for women getting up to mischief.
I loved Rafael and I loved the banter he had with Sonia. More fun big brothers in YA please!

Theme Tune.
Rivers and Roads by The Head and the Heart.

For Pancho.
Sigh.
Yeah, I love him. GET OVER IT.


Sadness Scale.
8/10.
Oh no. I thought this book was going to be a happy ending. And it was, riiiiiight the end.
It had a happy last page.
But before that?! Gosh.
I’m going to completely go against everything I wrote in my low points and contradict myself thoroughly by saying the next thing, but whatever it’s my review.
I loved that Ms Medina pulled the rug out from under me when I read this book and added the-situation-I’m-not-mentioning-because-of-spoilers that I wasn’t expecting.
I appreciate why Ms Medina added this storyline because it was fascinating to read about something which I wasn’t familiar with before I read this book. Extremely harrowing and beautifully written.
Sorry to be vague but most of the sadness stems from this situation and, as much as I don’t want to spoil it for you, I also want you to be as sad as I was.

Recommended For.
People who are looking for an original story with great characters, beautiful settings and an ever so slight vein of magic running through it. People who believe in superstitions. People who have a soft spot for tales of humble mountain folk. People who could happily spend hours listening to stories in the shade of a tree. People who like boys who are “too given to daydreams”. People who were wondering where Sonia was when the wind was battering the British Isles this past week… try silencing that, Miss Ocampo!


I received a copy of this book from the publishers.

[Chrissie Peria · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing is wonderful and the setting is very rich. The characters are very likable, but somehow, I was looking for something a bit more. A part of me thinks that it needs more magical realism --- I came into this book expecting that, especially after the prologue. But another part of me thinks that it could've gone farther. I wanted more emotion, more interaction. It's a wonderful story, and it deserves to be read, but that missing oomph is why I need to keep this at 4.

[Sweetp-1 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written book with a gorgeous fable like atmosphere and a gentleness that is often lacking in YA books these days. It is a very short read and at times perhaps felt a little on the light side in terms of character and plot development. For this reason I'd probably peg it at the younger end of the YA spectrum as there is certainly no R rated scenes either.
The story is set in South America, and this too makes a refreshing change. The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind is Sonya, our heroine whose birth coincided with a great stillness in the middle of a huge storm. Since then she has been revered as 'special', the village's own gift from God with the "ability" to heal and keep people safe. We soon learn how much of a burden this is for her though, and how the superstitions of the mountain village weigh heavily on her. Despite the implications of the title there is no supernatural element to this book, and the almost ordinariness of the setting and plot actually make it shine in a YA genre full of vampires and dystopia. Sonya gets a chance to work in the City where everything is in stark contrast to the quiet old fashioned village she is accustomed to but where she can finally just be herself.

The love interest (just ONE...hallelujah!!!) is a sweet and noble young fellow who longs to be a poet (which is somehow a perfect fit for the lyrical nature of this book) and who quietly becomes the hero in the story too.

This book is not particularly deep or thought provoking, but a really lovely read, poignant in its simplicity I think. A very refreshing change from the other YA books I have been reading lately.

[Joy (joyous reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

With beautiful writing and a storyline rich in culture and folklore, The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind defined the line between realism over mysticism. Told through a girl believed to be both God's messenger and mediator, Sonia was born on a night when a raging storm should've decimated her entire village. Her people believed that it was because of her that they were spared. Ever since then, they flock to her in their time of desperate need. But Sonia doesn't believe she has the miraculous powers they imagined her to have. In fact, she knows in her heart that she is a fraud. She wishes she could tell them the truth; that she's just a girl and what she wanted the most was to live like a normal teenager and not some sort of an iconic figure that everyone holds in reverence. But how could she break the hearts of her people when they already have so little hope in their impoverish lives to begin with? It would take a beloved orphan, a missing brother and the ghost of her abuela for Sonia to come to terms with her role in the lives of her family and her people. But it would be a journey wrought with heartbreak and loss.

I can't put into words how much this book impacted me. The hopelessness - the people's need for a better life that they'd risk certain deaths to leave the village they live in. Nowadays, it's easy to lose sight of what's important. And the people in this book just made me think of how incredibly lucky I am. This book made me realize how much of my native country I have missed. I've lived several years in a place where corruption and crime go hand and hand with poverty. I've seen that spark of hope that people desperately cling to in their time of need; Religion, belief of the divine miracles...when it feels that they're at the end of their ropes, they'd hold on to these vestiges of hope no matter how futile it may be. My point is, I was able to appreciate why the people of Tres Montes put so much stock into Sonia's "divine" ability.

Meg Medina's book was incredibly real and to some extent, unapologetic. There were some hard-hitting facts about the fate of those people who tries to illegally cross some sort of border just to find a better life. Heartbreaking stories of those who trusted their own only to find out that a quick death would be gladly accepted rather than what they've gotten in the end. Some parts of this was hard to read but for the most part it was beautiful. The culture, the superstitions, the mystical elements were startlingly enlightening. There's an initial sense of familial love within the community that I found touching. That is, until it became a little muddled toward the end as their belief toward the miraculous girl came into question.

I must admit that Sonia and Pancho's sweet friendship was what propelled me to read this book in one fell swoop. Theirs was the kind that didn't seem like it was going to have a promising end. I'd hoped it would be. Actually, it was pretty much the emotional theme whilst reading this novel. I was hopeful. I wanted good things to happen everyone. And to some it did...but to others...not so.

The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind is a moving story about keeping that flicker of hope alive in a world where it's virtually impossible. It's about believing in something - may it be miracles or that apparition of a dead loved one. It's about a girl's eventual and total acceptance of who she is and her influence to the people around her. Sometimes, you don't need divine blessings to affect the lives of those around you. You just have to offer them hope that things will turn out for the better.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meg Medina's THE GIRL WHO COULD SILENCE THE WIND takes readers to rural Latin America (the actual country is never specified) and into the life of Sonia Ocampo, a 16-year-old girl whose birth somehow ended a raging storm and whose neighbors have believer ever since that she can make miracles happen. But after a classmate dies despite her prayers, Sonia follows her aunt's advice and travels to the capital to work for a wealthy woman and create her own destiny. It's a story about first love, the unbreakable bonds of family, escaping the weight of others' expectations, and discovering what one really wants out of life.

And it was... OK. The writing flowed well and was clean, and it lended nicely to the simple, folkloric story. But it left me wanting more, and not in a satisfying way. The same could be said for the rest of the book. The characters were likeable, particularly the heroine Sonia, but they could have used more fleshing out. The magical realism elements are there, but they lack the spellbinding nature of what you'd find in magical realism stories by other Latina authors such as Laura Esquivel or Anna-Marie McLemore.

What disappointed me most, though, was that for a story that claims to be about a girl finding her own power, the ending does little to illustrate that self-discovery. I can't say more without fear of spoiling what happens... but in short, I came away from THE GIRL WHO COULD SILENCE THE WIND disappointed. Not because the book hadn't moved me, but because it hadn't conjured any strong reaction (either positive or negative) in me at all.

[wanderer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book and wouldn't have minded if it had gone on a while longer. It's got a lot going for it: very likable characters (especially the MC Sonia, her brother Rafael, and her friend Pancho), a quaint and lovely setting (Tres Montes, a rather isolated village in a Spanish-speaking country, possibly in South America), and real-to-life sad/happy/heartbreaking/humorous situations.

It felt as though the author deliberately kept the setting vague (calling the capital simply that) and it gave the story the feel of a fable or legend, somehow. There are quite a few themes and subplots--an old and ruined love affair, immigration, coming of age, escaping your hometown/lot in life, the power of money, etc.--and the author manages to weave all of these together beautifully.

[Miruna · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5.

[Nic · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the characters and dialogue very much, as well as the vivid and unusual (and interestingly nameless, except for Tres Montes) setting. The pacing strikes me as a little odd - as an audiobook (read by Cristina Panfilio), it's five CDs long, and it's not until the second CD that Sonia actually leaves for her big journey - at which time the point of view promptly switches to that of Pancho, who is staying at home!

I feel some aspects of the story could have used more attention, but the author's lack of emphasis on them speaks as much as putting emphasis on them would have. For example, the sketchy nephew of Sonia's employer who keeps hitting on her causes her unhappiness and difficulty, but isn't a major plot point and doesn't really get a resolution (e.g. comeuppance). However, writing the story this way sends another message. Sometimes domestic workers, imported from poor areas and without many options, are mistreated; it's traumatic, but unfortunately not so uncommon as to be a big special plotline on its own. I've heard similar commentary on Diana Wynne Jones' matter-of-fact presentations of bad parents.

(Related to the whole mistreatment-of-domestic-workers issue, I wonder about Oscar and Teresa. She had once been coerced into becoming the mistress of the master of the house, pulling apart what seems to have been a mutual attraction between her and Oscar. But that master of the house is long dead, and Teresa and Oscar are now both fairly well-respected higher-level servants with some authority. So when Oscar says that a man of the family ruined the happiness of two people once, referring to themselves . . . what's stopping them from being together now? Unless maybe she no longer wants to? Dunno.)

Interesting blend of realism and surrealism, even fantasy. Sonia becomes convinced that she doesn't have the special powers others believe she has . . . and yet she clearly sees the ghost of her dead grandmother, who sometimes gives her valuable information. No one doubts Sonia's reports of these sightings.

Basically, the reason this gets only three stars is that I was kind of traumatized by the ending. Sonia has gone off to work in the capital and make some money, and she's missing her sweetheart, Pancho, and getting hit on by her employer's nephew. Meanwhile, her beloved big brother, a fun character introduced early in the book who had told Sonia of his plans to sneak across the border looking for work, has disappeared. When Sonia finds out, she reunites with Pancho, and they throw themselves into a daring plan to rescue her brother, who seems to have fallen into the hands of kidnappery bandit types. Adventure! Young heroes in love working together to save a likeable character!

And then her brother is found unconscious, horribly beaten. The description goes into graphic detail: his teeth are broken, two fingers cut off, and more. And they can't save him. They get him home, where he dies without ever waking up.

So . . . yeeeah. Not my cup of tea. I'm a bit grudgingly impressed that the author dared to take this route: she is, along with other things she does in the story, bringing home the reality of the fact that this stuff happens to people, people who other people love, and it's awful. Still, it doesn't mean I like it.

I like the reader of the audiobook. She is expressive, pronounces the smatterings of Spanish smoothly and naturally, and gives an effectively creepy languid voice to some of the creepier characters.

Also, point of confusion: Sonia and Pancho pawned the milagros, and Sonia later uses the money to build a school. So whence come all the milagros that they hang on the prayer tree?

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really excited to read The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind. The cover is gorgeous, and it sounded like something a little different from the contemporary I usually read, but still close enough to real life to appeal to me. But sadly, it didn't work for me.

In the beginning, I still liked The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind. The atmosphere is really well-written, and I liked the descriptions of Sonia's life in Tres Montes. I felt like I was there with the family, even though my life is about as far away as you can get from Sonia's. I really enjoyed reading about what life is like in the small, poor town. But after that, things went downhill for me.

The writing stays good. It's vivid and beautiful, with great imagery. The writing is what kept me reading and what carries the book, in my opinion.

The rest, though, just didn't work for me. I liked Sonia when we're in Tres Montes with her, but once she leaves to go to the capital, I lost any kind of connection I had with her. In Tres Montes, she has a personality - the way she's smothered by people wanting her to help them with her powers makes her a sympathetic character. Once she gets to the capital, though, and the focus shifts from her special ability, I found her very bland. I get that that's kind of the point - she likes not being treated any different from the rest of the girls, but still. Sonia has no real personality, so I was kind of bored with her.

The secondary characters are... well, they're pretty bland, too. We're told a little bit about them, but I never saw that reflected in their actions. There are no patterns in their behavior, nothing that gives them any kind of personality. Sometimes, I even had trouble remembering who's who, since they're all so similar. That counts for the girls Sonia works with in the city as well as the people back in Tres Montes. I didn't even like the romance between Sonia and Pancho - their strong feelings develop way too suddenly to be realistic.

The plot didn't really work for me, either. I liked all the ideas of what happens, but I found the execution lacking. There are a lot of plot holes. I don't want to get into all of them in order not to spoil it for anyone, but there are several times in the story where I found myself wondering whether I'd missed something because it just didn't make sense. One example I can give without spoiling anything is how Sonia reacts when she reads in a letter from her parents that her brother is missing. Her brother Rafael told her before she left that he was planning on running away and finding work up north, so his disappearance shouldn't surprise Sonia. When she gets the letter, though, she's devastated and terrified something happened to Rafael. Her worrying starts one of the main storylines, but it just doesn't make sense. And there are a lot of plot holes like that.

The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind has beautiful, atmospheric writing, so if you're in it just for the writing, I do recommend it. But the plot holes and bland characters made it hard for me to get into the story, so I didn't particularly enjoy it.

Reviewed at http://www.paperbacktreasures.blogspo...

[LadyDisdain · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind awhile back but the story’s poetic power and tones of magical realism have had the story simmering in my mind since then. Meg Medina does a good job of crafting a profound young adult story with motifs reminiscent of the magical realism that Latin American literature is famous for.

“The tempest – like the birth – raged on for hours. But when at last Sonia Ocampo slipped into the world, blue and shivering, the wind miraculously ceased and the river calmed, leaving behind a peaceful and starry night.”

Sonia Ocampo, born into the world with the end of a destructive storm, is hailed by the villagers as a Godsend. She is the idealistic image on which they pin all their hopes – quite literally, too: Sonia is cloaked in a shawl on which are pinned all the gold metal tokens that the villagers have given to her in exchange for her prayers on their behalf. Sonia feels burdened by their beliefs, and her inability to fulfil everyone’s expectations.

The YA themes of identity, freedom and familial obligations can all be found in this novel. Teenagers will especially be able to relate to the constant tug of war between doing what’s right for you, and doing what others think is right for you.

“She only knew what she did not want to be. Not magic. Not lonely. Not trapped. Never once had she thought of what she did want, never imagined a future the way Lara did.”

Sonia’s quiet strength is the shining beacon in this novel. She feels the need to break free, but she doesn’t try to do so at the expense of raging against her parents, or by belittling their hopes and beliefs. She has a respect for their reasoning which I could appreciate. Too many stories pit adolescents against their parents in coming of age stories; it’s refreshing to read YA novels where the protagonist can appreciate their parents for the individuals they are.

[Alsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind was a very different read I'd ever read before, which made it refreshing. It was a beautiful, exciting and adventurous book. It was a quick read, but every bit of it was written so beautifully. I enjoyed the folklore themes, the loveable characters and the absolutely gorgeous cover.

Pancho was an adorable character. I mean, who wouldn't love a boy who left flowers on your seat in class? That is just too sweet. Pancho was a caring, brave and sacrificial character, with a dream to be a poet. He treated Sonia so wonderfully and risked quite a lot to find Sonia's brother, Rafael, which is amazing. He knew how much Sonia worried about her brother.

Sonia was a strong, brave, and quiet character, with a kind and gentle spirit. I mean, dealing with people relying on her to fix everything and take all their burdens because of the belief that she was born magical, would be a huge responsibility to carry. And it really was for her. She dreams to just be treated as a normal person, and not as this girl who is much more special than anyone else. I loved her and Pancho as protagonists.

I want to end this review with a quote from our fellow character, Pancho. This just warmed my heart when he said this to Sonia. :D

"But you've forgotten an important part of your story, Sonia." he whispered "That the girl was magic."
"No-"
But magic in a different way altogether, and one she never imagined. For the girl had a light so warm and kind that she could work miracles without even knowing it. She could comfort people just by being in the same room. She could even make a worthless orphan feel like he had something to offer to the world."

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in just a couple of hours. The writing is what told the story for me. This book is really well written and it reads like an old fable mixed with beautiful poetry. I loved that the main guy character, Pancho, wanted to be a poet. It fit in so well with the tempo of the story.

Sofia is a girl with the world on her shoulders. She has so much pressure and weight from her family, village, and everyone really that it's amazing that she is as strong as she is. It's strange because the village love and revere her so much, yet she is so isolated. It is such a lonely life for her and I found myself hoping and hoping that she could find happiness somewhere.

What I really liked about this story is that it is realistic. It is not overly dramatic or unrealistically happy. Sometimes tragedy happens and sometimes situations do not work out the way we planned. But it is how we respond to this situations that define us and Sophia and Pancho responded so well to the hand of cards that they were dealt. I also liked that even though some hard/sad things happened to the characters, they were strong enough and positive enough to still find happiness. They made their own happiness.

The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind is such a nice, quick read. To me, it is like a fable with its own wise message to send on to the readers. Give it a shot, and I think you will be happy you did. I came away from this story with a very satisfied and hopeful feeling.

[Marcia]

Marcia Vining

Medina, M., (2012). The Girl who could silence the wind. Somerville, MA: Candlewick.

Genre: Adventure

Format: Print

Selection Tools: Kenyon, E. L. (2012). The Girl who could silence the wind. School Library Journal, 45.

The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind is the story of Sonia Ocampo a girl from a rural village who is believed to be able to protect the people of her village. Upon Sonia's birth a storm was stilled and the villagers believe that Sonia is special. This causes Sonia confusion and guilt since she believes that she is not special, and she desires more than anything to be normal, and like everyone else. To accomplish this, Sonia takes a job in the city where things are difficult at best. During this time her brother is kidnapped and injured, trying to escape the preplanned life that awaits him in the village. Sonia returns to the village and her family where they all must reexamine their lives, their expectations and their past.
Although the story lags a bit at times and may be a bit mild for some readers, Medina's tale is an exciting foray into an unfamiliar world. It will give readers a pleasant diversion from some of the fantasy and dystopian novels of our time, allowing them to experience through Sonia's story the difficulties all young people face, while in a culture very different from their own.

[Ms McKinnon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story set in Latin-America. I enjoyed that the author explored the complexities of the expectations put on the main character, Sonia. Although this book has some elements of fantasy to it, it does not feel like a fantasy book, rather it feels realistic fiction. I think readers who enjoy stories about teenagers and teenagers struggling with life's expectations will enjoy this book.

[Ollie Z Book Minx · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful and poignant coming of age tale.

[Milly Potter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this very simple story :)

[Shenwei]

I liked this for what it was but also I'm a little bothered by the way race was just...elided completely in the setting in favor of what seems like a racially homogenous landscape (at least, it read to me as being so...and I know it's a fictional world that isn't tied to a specific real locale but still...the implications of this choice are uncomfortable)

[Hayleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet story, that is beautifully written. I loved that it felt like a contemporary setting for a old fable or story book story. I wish there were more elements of magical realism, and the end felt a little short. I would have loved it to be a bit longer and with some characters flushed out a bit more.

[Ionela Andreea · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5

[Mandiann · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Cezara_15sd · Rating 4 out of 5]

O carte extraordinara!

[Katrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had no trouble getting into Medina’s novel. I finished it quickly in one sitting, but I found myself disappointed when I reached the end, not because I didn’t like it, but because I was sad to see it end. I enjoyed the characters she’d created and wanted more.

While it’s set in the imaginary Latin American village of Tres Montes, the story connects to many important contemporary issues, most notably immigration. Opportunity is all but gone in the small village of Tres Montes. For the men, employment is all but limited to working in the mines. Young boys watch their fathers work their lives away in the mines, only to watch them grow old and increasingly weak from the toll the mining work has taken on their bodies. Sonia travels to the capital as a hired employee for the wealthy Masón family, but her brother Rafael risks paying someone, much like a coyote, to get him north. An easy target, Rafael falls prey to the many dangers that continue to claim so many immigrants trying to make it to the United States for a better life. Kidnapped and ransomed, Rafael ultimately dies. Medina’s novel could easily be paired with the documentary Which Way Home that follows several unaccompanied child immigrants as they journey through Mexico en route to the U.S. on a freight train they call “The Beast.”
While quite different from The Queen of Water, the two novels share some common themes and would complement each other well. Both address issues of classism and racism through looking at the ways in which urban society is considered progressive and refined, while rural society is viewed as backwards and uneducated. Gender also plays an important role in the novel, as the reader sees the multiple ways in which the women of the story find themselves at the mercy of men with power. Perhaps it is because I was a teacher, but I found Pancho’s character to be one of the more powerful aspects of the book. As a bright boy with an incredible imagination, Pancho weaves beautiful stories, but few see him as anything but a poor orphan. If he’s noticed at all, it’s typically with scorn or annoyance. Yet, as a child with little power or protection, Pancho represents the vulnerability of so many children in our society. For me, his story was a quiet reprimand or reminder that we could all be doing more to protect those who represent that same vulnerability.

The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind is beautifully written, with hints of magical realism and endearing characters. It’s not necessarily a happy ending, but it is one of hope. A hope most clearly stated in one of my favorite lines of the book: “. . .they confessed they had always had a soft spot for old mountain stories like his, for tales of humble people and the courage that it took to live their days. For true stories of magic and love.”

It’s a book I’d highly recommend both for the experience of reading it in and of itself, and also for the powerful discussions it could bring into the classroom. The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind has received a number of awards and recognitions as a CBI Recommended Reads (UK), Mock 2012 Pura Belpré honor book, REFORMA, Heartland Chapter, Best Books 2013 Bank Street College. Our free Educator’s Guide for using The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind is available here: http://teachinglatinamericathroughlit...

[Vamos a Leer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had no trouble getting into Medina’s novel. I finished it quickly in one sitting, but I found myself disappointed when I reached the end, not because I didn’t like it, but because I was sad to see it end. I enjoyed the characters she’d created and wanted more.
While it’s set in the imaginary Latin American village of Tres Montes, the story connects to many important contemporary issues, most notably immigration. Opportunity is all but gone in the small village of Tres Montes. For the men, employment is all but limited to working in the mines. Young boys watch their fathers work their lives away in the mines, only to watch them grow old and increasingly weak from the toll the mining work has taken on their bodies. Sonia travels to the capital as a hired employee for the wealthy Masón family, but her brother Rafael risks paying someone, much like a coyote, to get him north. An easy target, Rafael falls prey to the many dangers that continue to claim so many immigrants trying to make it to the United States for a better life. Kidnapped and ransomed, Rafael ultimately dies. Medina’s novel could easily be paired with the documentary Which Way Home that follows several unaccompanied child immigrants as they journey through Mexico en route to the U.S. on a freight train they call “The Beast.”

While quite different from The Queen of Water, the two novels share some common themes and would complement each other well. Both address issues of classism and racism through looking at the ways in which urban society is considered progressive and refined, while rural society is viewed as backwards and uneducated. Gender also plays an important role in the novel, as the reader sees the multiple ways in which the women of the story find themselves at the mercy of men with power. Perhaps it is because I was a teacher, but I found Pancho’s character to be one of the more powerful aspects of the book. As a bright boy with an incredible imagination, Pancho weaves beautiful stories, but few see him as anything but a poor orphan. If he’s noticed at all, it’s typically with scorn or annoyance. Yet, as a child with little power or protection, Pancho represents the vulnerability of so many children in our society. For me, his story was a quiet reprimand or reminder that we could all be doing more to protect those who represent that same vulnerability.

The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind is beautifully written, with hints of magical realism and endearing characters. It’s not necessarily a happy ending, but it is one of hope. A hope most clearly stated in one of my favorite lines of the book: “. . .they confessed they had always had a soft spot for old mountain stories like his, for tales of humble people and the courage that it took to live their days. For true stories of magic and love.”

It’s a book I’d highly recommend both for the experience of reading it in and of itself, and also for the powerful discussions it could bring into the classroom. The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind has received a number of awards and recognitions as a CBI Recommended Reads (UK), Mock 2012 Pura Belpré honor book, REFORMA, Heartland Chapter, Best Books 2013 Bank Street College. Our free Educator’s Guide for using The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind is available at our wordpress blog Vamos a Leer at https://teachinglatinamericathroughli....

[Sarahdactyl ♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

♥ Find my reviews on Blogger ~ Reviews by Bookish Sarah

- - -

“The curse on Sonia Ocampo's life came without warning before she was even born, cleverly disguised as good luck.
It blew in on one of the worst storms anyone in Tres Montes had ever known.”

Sixteen-year-old Sonia Ocampo has the ear of God. This is what the people of Tres Montes believe. When someone is ill, injured or in need of a prayer - it is Sonia they seek out. They bring her milagros to pin on her shawl; a handmade symbol of faith and prayer.

Sonia has grown weary of being everyone's hope and salvation. She is ready to stop living a lie. She just wants to live her life and be “normal” for awhile. So when the opportunity to go into the city and work for a wealthy woman in her beautiful mansion arises - she seizes it. Leaving her burden of a shawl behind her, she heads into the city for a taste of freedom.

Sorrow is never far behind though, as Sonia soon receives news that her brother has gone missing after leaving the mountain village in search of city work.

- - -

When I rate a book 3 stars, I sometimes I like to list my ‘likes’ and ‘dislikes’, but it's not so clear-cut in the case of The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind. There wasn't anything about the story that I truly disliked. It was more of the fact that there wasn't enough of it. It was so short and fast that I felt gypped. This story had an enormous amount of potential. I only wish it was more detailed and fleshed out. It ended up being a little bit dull because it was just too quick and too vague.

The writing was gorgeous and moving. I very much appreciate Meg Medina's beautiful words and descriptions. My favorite part had to be the descriptions of the small mountain village and its' people; their superstitious ways and sense of community even in the poorest of conditions. The characters were full of color and personality. I enjoyed so many of them, each unique in their own way.

This book was a breath of fresh air. Sonia's story was so simple and yet so different from the norm that is the Young Adult genre. There is no shallow, dramatic love story here. It's a story of love, family, faith and determination. Set in a small mountain village full of people with hopes and dreams so simple that it could easily humble any reader. A story about a girl who longs to be ordinary, to love a boy, to be part of a family, and to unburden herself of a gift she never wanted. This story will teach you many lessons and I think the most important one is that not every story has a happy ending. This story will break your heart and open your eyes. I'd recommend it to everyone. It's sedate to the point of being a little dull, but don't mistake my words - it is a beautiful story. It's short and sweet, but packed full of superstition and emotion.

- - -

Book source: NetGalley
Publisher: Candlewick Press

[Brandy Painter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted here.

I had no real expectations for The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind by Meg Medina going into reading it other than "ooh pretty cover" and "wow here's a different setting for a novel". I have to say I enjoyed it immensely. Medina is a truly talented story teller.

Allow me to say that I'm completely chagrined to admit that I don't know whether this is contemporary or historical fiction. Given its setting it could be either. If it is historical it is very recent historical. Despite my ignorance on this, the novel has a very definite sense of place. The setting is described beautifully. It is detailed without being overly descriptive and makes you see what the characters are seeing. I was left with a real impression of both Sonia's mountain home and the city she journeyed to. The harsh reality of the lives of the people is clear as well.

Sonia's story is one that anyone can identify with on a human level. She is unsure of her destiny, questioning her beliefs, wanting to escape the life she has always led, yearning for love. Any 16 year old has experienced the same. Yet Sonia is also trying to survive the harsh realities of her world. Realities that include pampered rich boys who think pretty servant girls are their play things and a brother willing to risk his life in exchange for a chance at a better one. Medina didn't shy away from any of theses harsh elements, but did not allow them to make the story itself harsh or gritty. In the end it is really a story about hope, moving forward, and the ties that bind family and community together. There is a thread of what some would refer to as "magical realism" in the story. It is not the point of the story, but does play a role in resolving it.

There is also a bit of romance. Remember I said Sonia was yearning for love? Well that yearning has a name and his name his Pancho. He is a taxi driver who is also a poet (and doing a fair bit of yearning of his own). He is also a hero in every sense of the word. Their romance is very subdued and not at all the main focus of the story. It takes a back seat to the larger action resolving itself, but it is still very sweet.

All of the other characters in the book stand out as well. When I finished it I though my strongest impression was of the setting but as I type this I have a clear recollection, not only of the other characters names-Raphael, Oscar, Teresa, Mongo, Dalia, Felix, Blanca, Tia Neli,-but their personalities too. Medina brought the entire Ocampo family and the people of Tres Montes to life.

I would recommend this book for anyone looking for something a little bit different than the norm in YA literature. If you enjoy reading about other places and cultures this is a definite must read. I am going to label it as historical, but if anyone knows differently for sure tell me and I'll change it.

I read an e-galley received from the publisher via NetGalley. The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind will be available in stores March 13.

[Anastasia · Rating 3 out of 5]

* Hardcover: 256 pages
* Publisher: Candlewick (March 13, 2012)
* ISBN-10: 0763646024
* Author: Meg Medina
* Cover art: Love the cover art
* Overall rating :*** out of 5 stars
* Obtained: Sent for review by the publisher. Thank you.

The Girl who could silence the wind by Meg Medina


Sonia's entire village believes she has a gift, but it's only in leaving home that she finds out who she truly is. A compelling tale from a rich new voice in young adult fiction.

Sixteen-year-old Sonia Ocampo was born on the night of the worst storm Tres Montes had ever seen. And when the winds mercifully stopped, an unshakable belief in the girl's protective powers began. All her life, Sonia has been asked to pray for sick mothers or missing sons, as worried parents and friends press silver milagros in her hands. Sonia knows she has no special powers, but how can she disappoint those who look to her for solace? Still, her conscience is heavy, so when she gets a chance to travel to the city and work in the home of a wealthy woman, she seizes it. At first, Sonia feels freedom in being treated like all the other girls. But when news arrives that her beloved brother has disappeared while looking for work, she learns to her sorrow that she can never truly leave the past or her family behind. With deeply realized characters, a keen sense of place, a hint of magical realism, and a flush of young romance, Meg Medina tells the tale of a strongwilled, warmhearted girl who dares to face life's harsh truths as she finds her real power. (Synopsis provided by goodreads)


I'm not really sure what I was expecting when I read this book, but I know I didn't get it. This was a fairly short read that I finished in a day. I liked it, but I didn't love it. I thought that there would be more mysticism in it then there was.

I was disappointed, the synopsis sounded amazing and I was eager to read this book when I heard about it. But, after reading it, I was let down, which was unfortunate.


I really loved Sonia. First of all, it's a name I have yet to come across in books, I've seen names that are similar but I've never seen Sonia before, so that was refreshing. I also loved her character, she was strong, funny and she loved her friends, she was a great example of a kindred spirit. That seems to be getting harder and harder to find.


The writing style was good, not great but good. There was an element of sadness to the story that I wasn't really expecting. I don't like sad books very much, because they make me sad and I like to be happy.


Aside from the sadness, it was a good story. I really hope we get to see more characters like Sonia.


I would recommend this book to people who are looking for something short, different and with a strong female protagonist.

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an interesting story. I didn't really know what to think going into this book, from the description it sounds like it could have this weird paranormal aspect to it but that really isn't the case. The Girl Who Could Silence The Wind is an extremely thought provoking book, and I found it to be a very enjoyable read.

I enjoyed the setting for this book, you don't see many books that are set in South America, and I think Meg did a great job making it to where you really get a good mental picture of the settings in the book. It really adds a lot of flavor to the book, and makes the story seem much more believable.

The concept was what really caught my interest, and is what I will talk about most. You have Sonia who supposedly has these powers to protect people, and yet she strongly denies such things. When Sonia goes off to work, she goes through a lot. Especially when she meets Umberto. I hate Umberto with a passion, by the way. :P Her close friend Pancho plays a major role in the story, especially towards the end. At first you don't really know much about him, but he quickly became one of my favorite characters. I also really liked Mongo, who was a guy that worked at the bar but he has a really important role later on in the story.

I found it really nice to see how Sonia finds herself throughout the story. She is away from the people that believe she has these powers, and is able to truly figure out who she is as a person. There is somewhat of a Paranormal twist in the story, when it comes to Abuela which I did find a little weird but it's nothing major and while it revolves around some important scenes it's not extremely important to the story, at least in my opinion.

The Girl Who Could Silence The Wind was an amazing read, I didn't have any issues with it.. well paced, interesting plot, great characters. You can't really ask for much more when it comes to a book. It might not be a book for everyone, but I feel like it's worth giving it a chance. You might be surprised by how good it really is.

This review is directly from my blog, you can see the original post here: http://www.justinsbookblog.com/2012/0...

[Robin Herrera]

My first entry for the 2014 Latinos in Kidlit Challenge! See rules HERE

The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind is the story of Sonia Ocampo (GREAT NAME), something of a “miracle worker” in her tiny mountain village of Tres Montes, due to her birth coinciding with the halt of a particularly fierce storm. After a villager asks Sonia to pray for her son, who turns up dead, Sonia realizes that she is no miracle worker, and longs to leave behind the burden of holding the town’s hopes, dreams, and problems. She journeys to the capital, a bustling city where rich families are in constant need of labor, with three other women to be a maid.

This book was simply a joy to read. From the prologue, I was hooked into Sonia’s world, the rich language and the wonderful storytelling. Medina’s story reminded me of many magical realism books I’ve read – she encapsulates the whimsy of the ordinary so very well. In her author biography, Medina said that she was inspired by “old Latino tales – romantic and magical.” That’s exactly the impression I got from the story.

SPOILERS AHEAD!

The only thing I was disappointed about was the disappearance of Sonia’s co-workers from the capital after she and Pancho leave to find her brother. I was especially interested to hear from Dalia, since I have a soft spot for hard-edged girls. And I wanted to know that Dalia would be okay after the events at the end of the book. (SO SAD. UGH)

I applaud Medina, though, for weaving such a brutal story and giving it a bittersweet ending. Also, the romance was so well-done. Romance is hard to do well, because you want a kind of slow build, and you want the sense of the characters really yearning for each other. I was beyond invested in Sonia and Pancho’s romance. I would say they’re now one of my favorite YA couples!

SPOILERS END!

Now, here’s hoping I’ll get my hands on Yaqui Delgado, because I have the sneaking suspicion that Meg Medina is going to be one of my favorite authors. If you’re a fan of Jaclyn Moriarty like I am, Medina is an author I think you’ll love as well.

[RivkaBelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review originally published on my blog: AWordsWorth.blogspot.com
ARC provided by publisher for review.

This is one of those stories that can't be nailed down to a single time, or even a single place. It's got a trace of wildness, and a simple beauty. Just a hint of magic, and a heaping scoop of spunk; years of secrets, and a thousand dreams.

Sonia Ocampo has been cursed with a blessing. The day she was born, the raging winds of a horrible storm ended, and from that point on, everyone believed she was blessed with a special connection to Heaven. The villagers of Tres Montes would come, bearing milagros (prayer charms), begging for her intercession on their behalf. For sixteen years, things seemed to "work," but then something goes horribly wrong. Desperate for an escape, Sonia leaves for the Capitol - to work in a rich widow's house, with three other Tres Montes girls, hoping to lose her blessing along the way. Even in the beautiful Capitol, life is not easy for Sonia, nor is she safe from the burden of her "gift." Her brother, Rafael, is also trying to make things better - but his plans and dreams go horribly awry. At last, Sonia realizes she must face the truth. All of it. And only by bringing the truth out into the open can her family, and the community of Tres Montes, find the healing and new beginnings they so desperately need.

This story has some very poignant, even sad, moments. But it also has a rare beauty. Sonia and her friend Pancho have a truly beautiful relationship, and I loved watching them grow. It's sweet, it's pure, it's real. There's a multicultural flavor to The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind, but not so much that it becomes part of a separate people (if that makes sense). As I said, there is no time or place - this could be any number of small towns with a quiet routine and slow, almost forgotten, economy. (Obviously it's historical fiction, but there's no set time period - that I could tell, anyway). While the story concluded beautifully, I can't help but wish there were more.

[Erin (Bookish in a Box) · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite things about this book is that it manages to set a distinct cultural tone without alienating the reader. This is done mainly through a formal speaking style and narrative tone, with the addition of a foreign set of cultural mores that are quickly and cleanly established. This method can easily have the unintended effect of being condescending or forced but it flawlessly executed in The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind. Another writing technique that Ms. Medina manages to implement beautifully is the use of simple descriptions. Where others might wax poetic about shadows and darkness and morbid tales of woe, Ms. Medina captures an eerie location in two short sentences that speak volumes.

"[The Haunted Valley] was a long and deserted stretch between mountain peaks that belched plumes of smoke. No Gypsy ever crossed La Fuente; they cleaimed it was filled with the restless spirits of all who died there." (ARC of The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind by Meg Medina, pg. 89)

The whole of The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind is written in that style, and it works splendidly with the tone and plot. My only complaint is that Sonia seemed a little standoffish and didn't invite companionship with the reader. Even though I didn't connect with her character, I still enjoyed the story and wanted to see what happened next.

On the surface, this is one of the simplest YA novels I've read, but digging a little deeper reveals hidden depths and an underlying complexity of emotion. I don't know that this is one I'll read again and again, but I would definitely recommend it. With touches of magical realism, a strong cultural vibe and a reflective main character, there's something in The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind for almost anyone to enjoy.


[This book was received for review from the publisher.]