Chico of the Andes

by Christine von Hagen, Zhenya Gay (Illustrator)

High in the rugged Andes of Ecuador, ten-year-old Chico works hard and lives happily with his grandfather and his pet bear, Chan. By firelight, Grandfather tells Chico amazing stories about the Inca and the other ancient people who once inhabited their land. Chico has always felt a close connection to the mountains, his tierra—that is, until he discovers he is an orphan, found out on the moors, and that his grandfather is merely a kind stranger who took Chico in as a baby. Shocked and confused, Chico determines to travel to the city, leaving behind his beloved mountains, to track down his lost family and discover who he truly is.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Childrens, Middle Grade

180 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1943

About the author

Christine Inez Brown Von Hagen was born in California. She traveled extensively in South America and wrote a handful of children's books set in the area.

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5* This is not a long book but took a week to finish because it was too slow for me. If I hadn't been reading it for a challenge, a book set primarily in South America, I would have moved on to something else.

It was sort of like a boy version of Heidi set in the South American Andes. Yet much, much slower and less interesting to me.

[KMak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chico of the Andes by Christine Von Hagen was a pretty good book. This book was about a boy who really wanted to find out who he really was. I learned that in South America people have fiestas and don’t play with fire there. Everything will catch on fire! One thing I didn’t like about this book is the names because they were kind of hard to read.

[Harper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chico of the Andes, by Christine Von Hagen, is a heartwarming story about a boy named Chico, who is trying to find a place in the world and wants know about his mother, father and his past. To be honest is wasn’t my favorite, but it keeps getting better as you go through the chapters. One reason I didn’t like was that their was not a lot of girl characters. But, the ending to the this book was very heartfelt, and was great!

[Clara Monty · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was a little bit boring there and there, but I really enjoyed the FIESTA and figuring who the uncle was.

[Ella ! · Rating 2 out of 5]

Chico of the Andes by Christine Von Hagen tells a story about a young boy named Chico. When Chico was little he lost his parents, and couldn’t find them Don Ernesto found the child looked for his parents, but his parents were never to be found. So Don Ernesto were to take care of the child, and named him Chico. Chico later finds out that Don Ernesto really isn’t his grandfather so Chico goes to Cuenca with Don Fernando, Don Ernesto’s friend. The question is will Chico find his parents? Read to find out.

I liked the book because it wasn’t draggy when I read this book so, i wasn’t at a part for too long.
Something else I liked about this book was that it taught me things. I learned that they walked to get around and not use a car so it took along time to get from the Paramos to Cuenca. It would take days to get to Cuenca. Something else I learned is that they don’t have much money. Chico was very poor so he sold hats to get money, it was very hard. Something in this book I didn’t like was that a lot of words in the book I had no idea how to pronounce, a lot of those words were Spanish words.

That was what I liked and disliked about this book so I hope you like it.

[Grace RS · Rating 5 out of 5]

A most delightful YA book that introduces youngsters to Ecuadorian history. In this book, you will encounter an orphan boy named Chico on a journey to discover who he is and where he is from. In the process, he learns to love the Ecuadorian mountains he grew up, along with their people and traditions. He also learns the trade of hat making; eventually, it is his own hat that adorns the Jesucristo during the famous Festival of Lights parade. With the help of the priest, Chico discovers the answer that had long haunted him, and he finds peace.
Throughout, Von Hagen teaches Spanish words and explains some of the history.
A truly good book, rich in values such as persistence, love, courage, responsibility, honesty, and family.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review written by Abbie:
Chico Of The Andes by Christine Von Hagen tells the story of Chico, a ten-year-old boy living in the high Andes Mountains with his grandfather. Life is normal for him until one day he overhears a conversation between his grandfather and his grandfather’s friend that made him realize that he was actually an orphan who had been found, rescued, and given to the grandfather. Chico decides to leave his mountain home to go to the city of Cuenca to find his family. I liked reading about the hat that Chico has to make. I loved Chan, Chico’s spectacled bear, and wish I had one of my own! I liked learning about Ecuador, but I was most interested in Chico’s story, which has a very exciting ending.

[Kayla Bogle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The end was so happy! I really liked it. I liked learning about the city people and the mountain people. I liked that Chico found his tierra and his grandfather. I liked how he was free to figure out selling the hat independently. I like that he was able to have help for things he was unsure of like buying clothes. I read this book as a recommendation from Olivia. We liked the Spanish words mixed in with the English story.

[Everett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chico of the Andes by Christine von Hagen is a heartfelt story about a boy of 10 who lives in the Andes Mountains. Chico finds out that he is a orphan, and goes to the city of Cuenca to find his family. Chico has to find were he belongs, with his family or in the Andes Mountains. I was inspired by Chico’s determination.

[Amanda Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this with my daughter for her homeschool curriculum. It was a bit dry!

[Ariel Homeschool · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was about: A boy named Chico who had no name and no family. Soon to find out, he had no grandfather, and he had to call him "Old Man." Eventually, he found out Old Man was his grandfather, he had a name, and he had a family.

My favorite character was: The grandfather and Tia Maria. They were all so caring and nice. They did not abandon Chico, and they loved Chico very much.

I liked this book/didn't like this book: I didn't like this book, I loved it! I loved all the plot twists and cliffhangers. I also had fun reading it. I'm happy, but sad this book is over.

You should read this book: Because it is amazing, and you will have fun reading it. It is great for kids to read and have fun with. I hope you enjoy the book.

[Violet · Rating 2 out of 5]

I accidentally deleted the review I just made so this is going to be quick. The plot was messy and unorganized. Making the main character go back and forth between places and discovering things that are supposed to open stories that did not end up opening well. The characters are nice, they have a decent amount of character development but at the same time, meh. The writing continually repeating words (especially ‘his eyes twinkled’ within the first few chapters). I’m also a fantasy girl, liking more upbeat and plot twist books, so on the account I may be a little bias. That’s it for my review, thank you

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chico of the Andes is a beautiful, wonderful, and heart felt story about a boy. His name is Chico, and he is ten years old. He lives in the Andes mountains with his grandfather, (at least he think he is his grandfather) and grandfather has a friend named Don Ernesto, who comes to visit once every month and stays there for a bit. One day when Don Ernesto is visiting, Chico is outside playing with his pet bear named Chan, and overhears grandfather talking about him. He eventually hears that he is not his grandson at all, and in this chapter Chico's life changes forever. Hear his story to see what will happen next!

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book, Chico of the Andes by Christine von Hagen is a good book, but just a little emotional. A boy who an old man that discovers the main character, Gregorio (no, I... am not kidding. that's his real name.) and calls him Chico until he later discovers that man is his grandfather, and his only relative on his mothers side. I liked it, but near the end it was just a little... too emotional.

[Stephanie VanAlmen · Rating 3 out of 5]

My 10yr old kinda lost interest. She was so upset that Chico left Chan behind. She seriously was done with it after that and could not focus any longer. I had to read it with her because of all the unfamiliar and Spanish words, but I do think it was a great way to teach her a new culture and language.

[Caitlin Afton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aria (age 10): Chico of the Andes by Christine von Hagen is about a boy named "Chico" that lived in the Andes Mountains. He wanted to know who he really was. I enjoyed this book. I liked learning about Ecuador.

[James Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chico of the Andes by Christine von Hagen is about a boy named Chico. he and his grandfather live a happy life in the Andes Mountains but one day he find out that he was found. Chico goes to find his parents. I liked this book because I was interested to find out what Chico finds.

[Andrea Schlottman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writer had good description. It has some words that are hard to read. It was a good book. I would say they should make a second. It is a clean book with no disrespectful language. I recommend age 10 to 13 for this book. This story is adventurous.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic book! Both my children and I loved this book. There was great suspense and such an interesting plot. It was full of culture and is so creative. Fantastic author. Definitely would recommend.

[Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chico of the Andes by Christine von Hagen, Zhenya Gay was a story about Chico and grandfather. They lived in the paramos in a tiny home. Chico had to go on an adventuree to find out who he was. Chico grew while out,and and learned that his heart belonnged to the paramos and the old man.

[Jaiden Lashei · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this children’s book I read with my 10 year old sister for homeschool. I thought it was a really interesting storyline and it was fun to learn more about Ecuador. The plot twists and suspense at the end of the chapters were very engaging.

[Kirstin Fullerton · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was horrible! confusing writing style....if you could call it a writing style. Just all around confusing and boring! This is what educators call a ghostwriter or curriculum writer for a large educational corporation. Teach your kids with "living books" !

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

By Asher (11yo): It was a fun book. I really liked reeding it and learning about the culture of the people of the Andes Mountains.

[Lindsey · Rating 1 out of 5]

it horrible

[Lindsey Livingston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Book for younger readers. My daughter and I both liked it.

[Bethany Stiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Adventures and educational

[Addy · Rating 4 out of 5]

So good! A must read.

[Melanie Beaudoin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story, and wonderfully written.

[Fluffy Mochi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book 5 times because I like so much.

[Magen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haven’t read, but heard good things