Secret+of+the+Andes

This book takes place in the Andes in the country of Peru. Cusi is a young Indian boy who lives with his master Chuto. Together they raise llamas for a living. Cusi has lived here his whole life and doesn't know his true family. He has a special llama named Misti who is his best friend. He gets sent off with part of his herd to go find his family and to find his heart's true desire. They are traveling and stopping in other villages during the night. They finally reach a township where Cusi gets some food by trading llama hair. He isn't allowed to take in his animals, so some Indian takes care of them outside of the town. He's searching for his family when he gets picked up by a different family. He also meets a women who calls him her son. During the night he realizes that he doesn't enjoy family life. He takes his llamas and starts heading back up the mountain. He meets Chuto again who was waiting for him to come back the whole time! Cusi finds his heart's desire in raising llamas and he also finds out the Chuto is his real family.

I learned that this Indian culture is very boring. All he does is raise llamas the whole day. Up until he's 14, Chuto was the only other person Cusi knew. He lived off llama hair and some home grown veggies. If I was in that culture I would last for about three days. -Lucas23

I wouldn't recommend this book because it's not very exciting and nothing really happens. -Lucas23

I learned the the Incas took raising llamas very seriously. The llama provides for all their needs. The Incas also have songs for everything. They also talk in riddles. They live in simple huts, and eat simple food. They also make ropes our of llama hair. -Abbey

I didn't think this book was interesting. Not much happened, but I did like the theme of this book and how it taught me to follow my heart's desire. The only thing accomplished in this book was that Cusi found his heart's desire in raising llamas which was the only thing he was doing anyway. I wish there could have been at least a little action. You learn a little bit of the Inca life, though. Overall, I wish this book could of put more effort into a captivating plot. -Abbey