Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Troll Associates (Aladdin) JUV
Pages
151
Description
Manolo Olivar has to make a decision: to follow in his famous father's shadow and become a bullfighter, or to follow his heart and become a doctor.
Description
Manolo was only three when his father, the great bullfighter Juan Olivar, died. But Juan is never far from Manolo's consciousness -- how could he be, with the entire town of Arcangel waiting for the day Manolo will fulfill his father's legacy?
But Manolo has a secret he dares to share with no one -- he is a coward, without afición, the love of the sport that enables a bullfighter to rise above his fear and face a raging bull. As the day when he must enter the ring approaches, Manolo finds himself questioning which requires more courage: to follow in his father's legendary footsteps or to pursue his own destiny?
Manolo Olivar was the son of his father. Which may not seem like a necessary thing to say. But in Manolo's case it is. For his father had been Juan Olivar, the greatest bullfighter in all Spain. And Manolo was his son in two special ways: one, he looked just like his father; and two, everyone expected that he, Manolo Olivar, would repeat the success of his father, would be just what his father had been - a fighter of bulls and a killer of death.
But Manolo has a secret he dares to share with no one -- he is a coward, without afición, the love of the sport that enables a bullfighter to rise above his fear and face a raging bull. As the day when he must enter the ring approaches, Manolo finds himself questioning which requires more courage: to follow in his father's legendary footsteps or to pursue his own destiny?
Manolo Olivar was the son of his father. Which may not seem like a necessary thing to say. But in Manolo's case it is. For his father had been Juan Olivar, the greatest bullfighter in all Spain. And Manolo was his son in two special ways: one, he looked just like his father; and two, everyone expected that he, Manolo Olivar, would repeat the success of his father, would be just what his father had been - a fighter of bulls and a killer of death.
Collection
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1964
Physical description
151 p.; 7.6 inches
ISBN
9781416933953
Similar in this library
Media reviews
Children's Literature
Phyllis Kennemer, Ph.D. (Children's Literature)
This reissue of the 1965 Newbery Award Book features an appealing cover showing a bull just as he passes the torero in the ring. A glossary of bullfighting terms appears in the back. The classic story of coming of age features Manolo Olivar and his
Show More
struggle to overcome the expectations of everyone in his village and choose his own destiny. Manolo’s father, one of the greatest tereros of all time, died in the ring when Manolo was only three years old and Manolo is expected to follow in his famous footsteps. When Manolo reaches his ninth birthday, six men in the town begin his training. They take him to bullfights and explain the moves. They are especially enamored with the honor exhibited in the sport. Manolo practices secretly, but he knows he has no desire to kill bulls. He would rather be a doctor. Manolo must make his stand and declare his intention when he is eleven years old. Young readers will identify with Manolo’s soul searching struggle to claim his own identity, The many details of bullfighting may seem strange to readers unfamiliar with this sport, causing some to lose interest. Reading the book aloud in a classroom setting or by a parent with a child could provide opportunities for worthwhile discussions. 2007 (orig. 1965), Aladdin Paperbacks/Simon & Schuster, $5.99. Ages 9 to 14. Show Less
Lexile
740L
User reviews
LibraryThing member Hamburgerclan
This one's the tale of a matador in the making. Manolo Olivar is nine years old, the son of a famous bullfighter who was killed when Manolo was three. Everybody in his town is expecting him to follow in his father's footsteps, to bring glory back to his community. A group of bullfighting experts
--J.
Show More
take him under their collective wing and start preparing him for his first match, to be held when he's twelve--just like his father. The question is, does Manolo want to be like his father? To the book's credit, it is not an easy question to answer. Manolo struggles with the question, all the while as he is being pushed along to a future others have chosen for him. It's a well written book that does a good job of expressing the thoughts and feelings of the characters and making the art of bullfighting come alive. My kneejerk reaction is to consider the sport cruel and bloodthirsty, but the story made me understand and halfway appreciate the views of the aficionados. It's a book y'all should check out.--J.
Show Less
LibraryThing member bedda
The story follows Manolo as he tries to grow up in the shadow of his famous father. Beautifully written so that you can feel the pressures, the worries and all the fears that Manolo has to go through. You also get a look into the world of bullfighting. And although you may want to flip to the
Show More
glossary in the back once in a while it never leaves you lost nor do the unfamiliar terms interrupt the flow of the narrative. It is a unique and touching coming of age story. Show Less
LibraryThing member SHARONTHEIL
Shadow of a Bull is an intense coming of age story about a boy growing up in the shadow of his dead father, a famous Spanish bullfighter. Both Shadow of a Bull and Call It Courage (Newbery Medal, 1941) share the theme of a boy becoming a man by facing his fear. This was known at one time as a "boy
Show More
book," much as domestic novels were "girl books." However, both girls and boys face fear, uncertainty, and self-doubt on the uneasy ascent into adulthood; and both will benefit from the depth of feeling that Maia Wojciechowska brings to this work. Show Less
LibraryThing member debnance
A book about bullfighting seems like the last book I would want to read, but Shadow of a Bull is not just a book about bullfighting. Shadow of a Bull is a rich book about the trials of being the son of a hero, a book about the struggles of a boy trying to find his own way in a world that is
Show More
attempting to force him to take a path the boy does not want to take. Manolo is the son of a magnificent bullfighter. When Manolo's father is killed in the ring, the people look to Manolo to become the man his father was. Manolo does not want to be a bullfighter. But he does not want to disappoint his mother and his father's friends and all the people of his town. He is afraid, paradoxically, of both the bull and of being a coward. He can find no way out.The author is somehow able to share with the reader the beauty and the horror of bullfighting. I was surprised to find that I could see bullfighting in a new way, as an art, as a heroic act, though I continue to feel revulsion as well. Show Less
LibraryThing member yyoon4
Manolo Oliver does not want to be like bull fighter like his father. A story of how a boy struggled to follow his own dreams instead of his family's tradition and country's pride.
LibraryThing member jnmwheels
This book carries a strong message to children about growing up and finding their calling. It demonstrates how to face fears while portraying life and death in a somewhat complex manner.
LibraryThing member tjsjohanna
It's a bit slow, but there is great atmosphere and in the end a wonderful connection between bull fighting and courage.
LibraryThing member fuzzi
I tried to read this as part of the Newbery Challenge, but I couldn't get beyond all the descriptions of how glorious it was to kill a bull, and how the injury or death of horses used during bull fights was necessary.
Subjects
Awards
Sequoyah Book Award (Nominee — Children's — 1967)
William Allen White Children's Book Award (Nominee — 1966-1967)
Newbery Medal (Medal Winner — 1965)
Vermont Golden Dome Book Award (Nominee — 1965-1966)
Gouden Griffel (Zilveren — 1971)
Call number
J3I.Woj