The Magic of Mariachi/La magia del Mariachi

Gr 9 Up—Twenty-four bilingual poems, observations, and essays are featured opposite soft-hued portraits of mariachi musicians. The large trim size invites an appreciative perusal of the myriad faces of musical passion. Youthful twin trumpeters and a more mature gentleman with his green guitar are but a sample of the grace inherent in mariachi conjuntos worldwide. Highlighting the elaborate moños tied carefully around proud necks and the embroidered jackets of the trajes de charro (fancy, stylized suits), Schneider's pastel, charcoal, and watercolor compositions evolve into the kaleidoscopic image that is mariachi culture. Some of the poems pay tribute to the elaborate dress of a youthful guitarist and some to the instruments held within calloused hands, but all strive to give voice to the discipline and struggle each musician embraces. The illustrations are more successful as a whole than the text. There are instances where the verse plods and others where the imagery merely fails to ignite. "He has mastered the ratios/The proportions of the notes." Yet there are stanzas that create a vivid sense of place. "The moonlight shines on the marichera/A silver hoop dangling from her right ear—/Her bow is poised on the violin's strings;/The music she plays is rapturous and clear."