About This Book
Reach for this book when your teenager is facing a moral crossroads or struggling with the pressure to compromise their values for material gain or social standing. It is a powerful tool for discussing how ambition can slowly erode ones integrity. Set during the Spanish colonization of the Americas, the story follows Estéban, a teenage mapmaker who joins an expedition for gold. While his companions descend into greed and cruelty, Estéban must navigate the heavy weight of conscience and the consequences of his choices. This is an excellent choice for mature middle schoolers and high schoolers. It offers a sober, realistic look at historical exploration that prioritizes character development and ethical accountability over simple swashbuckling. Parents can use it to open deep conversations about the difference between being a bystander and a participant in wrongdoing.
