by Elizabeth Borton De Trevino
First published 1972
Casilda lives in colonial Mexico during a time of social upheaval. As a young woman caught between different worlds, she must navigate the complex relationships between Spanish colonists and indigenous peoples. Her daily life brings encounters with family expectations, cultural tensions, and personal desires that pull her in different directions. The rising moon becomes a symbol of the changes sweeping through her community and her own coming of age. Casilda discovers that growing up means making difficult choices about loyalty, love, and identity. Her story unfolds against the backdrop of a society where old traditions clash with new realities, and where a young woman's voice can matter more than she ever imagined.
Genres: historical-fiction, coming-of-age, cultural, family-drama
Vibes: atmospheric, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: coming-of-age, fish-out-of-water
Setting: Mexico
Period: Colonial Era
176 pages · Paperback · PUFFIN BOOKS