Twisted Cross

Teens

synopsis

Synopsis

In 1795, eighteen-year-old Salvador Tenorio and his best friend, Blas, embark upon the most adventurous journey of their lives, leaving their impoverished families and painful memories behind in Imperial Spain. On a quest to find adventure, the clever young Spaniard battles the demons of his past and religious uncertainty on an epic expedition to the New World.

Determined to make the best out of their challenging circumstances, they aspire to claw their way out of poverty. Sal and Blas discover more than they ever imagined as they witness the fragmented cultures of California’s native people. Tangling with corrupted padres and escaping from ruthless pirates, they realize that all that glitters is not gold. Sal and Blas must quickly learn the rules of the sea and the new western frontier—or die trying. Can Sal handle his own twisted secrets and rise from the depths of his past while discovering his own purpose in life?

bio

Author Biography

Dr. Perez Ferguson is a cross-cultural educator and consultant. Her fiction brings to life the voices of California inhabitants living 200 years ago. She has twice won the Best YA Fiction Award from the San Francisco Writers Conference, 2021 and 2022.

Regarding Broken Promises:

"The tightly wound plot flows effortlessly from one moment to the next.... readers will find themselves inspired by the future Sparrow creates for herself and those around her." — Kirkus Reviews

Her non-fiction promotes the voices of under-represented communities in the twenty-first century. This earned her the 2014 Lacayo Lifetime Achievement Award from the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute. She is an Advisor and Former Chair for the InterAmerican Foundation and a former Visiting Lecturer for the Council for Independent Colleges. She enjoys living and writing on the Pacific coast.

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Author Insight

The Gift of Honest Conversations

"I could really relate to him and the thoughts he struggled with; his faith, his lusty feelings and desire for a new life." A young history teacher surprised me with these comments about Salvador, the main character in Twisted Cross. It can be tough to have a direct talk with the younger generation. In 2020 we can have the gift of honest conversation through books. Sometimes it surprises me what others say as a result of reading Twisted Cross: "...he struggles with his impulses toward corruption," and "...he glimpses the rapidly disintegrating cultures of the native people..." Share the story and have a conversation that may surprise you.

Book Excerpt

Twisted Cross

“Listen, Mamà, I don’t trust Brother Pablo,” Salvador said. “Last night, I saw him pawing through unguarded packs.” He tied his shoes on his feet. “He’s got shifty eyes and filthy long fingernails.” He hoped Mamà would believe him just this once.

“You were dreaming. He’s just protecting us from contraband,” Mamà said. “You know we walk to purify our souls, to ask forgiveness for our sins…and the offenses of others.” Her voice dropped low as she ignored Salvador’s complaints and muttered her morning prayers, “Nuestro padre, our Father…adelante, hurry Salvador.”

“But Mamà, what sins do I have?” Salvador asked. A dark shadow of memory clouded his mind. “Brother Pablo reminds me of Brother Santana.” Mamà didn’t believe him when he complained about the Brothers. His friends understood the truth. They would laugh if they could see him trapped among this bunch of holy fools. The church expected the oldest son to accompany his Mamà on the Easter pilgrimage. Sal was the only son and this was the last favor he would do for Mamà.

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Anita Perez Ferguson

Twisted Cross

Synopsis

Author Biography

Author Insight

The Gift of Honest Conversations

Book Excerpt

Twisted Cross

Comment on this Bubble