...And Now Miguel
 | |
| Author | Joseph Krumgold |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Jean Charlot |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's novel |
| Published | 1953 |
| Publisher | Thomas Y. Crowell Company |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 245 pp |
| Awards | Newbery Medal 1954 |
...And Now Miguel is a novel by Joseph Krumgold that won the Newbery Medal for excellence in American children's literature in 1954.[1][2] It deals with the life of Miguel Chavez, a 12-year-old Hispanic-American shepherd from New Mexico.
1953 documentary
[edit]The story originated as a 1953 documentary motion picture for the United States Department of State directed by Krumgold, documenting Miguel Chavez and Pedro Chavez.[3]
...Krumgold and his wife lived with the Chavez family in Los Cordovas, (Taos County), New Mexico for several months throughout the filming...[4]
1954 novel
[edit]- Krumgold, Joseph (1953). ...And Now Miguel. Illustrated by Jean Charlot. New York, New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Company.
1966 feature film
[edit]In 1966, a narrative feature film adaptation was directed by James B. Clark and starred Pat Cardi[5][6] as Miguel, with Michael Ansara, Guy Stockwell, Clu Gulager, Joe De Santis, Pilar Del Rey, Buck Taylor.[4][7]
"Plodding tale of a young boy who wants to take over as head shepherd of his family's flock".[7] - VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever
Musical
[edit]Jim Hughes and Will Graveman adapted ...And Now Miguel as a musical, produced in 2001 in Denver by El Centro Su Teatro and the Arvada Center, and directed by Tony Garcia.[8][9]
Plot summary
[edit]Miguel Chavez has dreamed of visiting the Sangre de Cristo Mountains since he was very little. This summer, he is going to work hard and pray until his father and grandfather realize that he is ready to take the trip with the rest of the older men.
His prayers are granted, though ironically – when his older brother is drafted his father needs an extra body and grudgingly allows Miguel to accompany them. Miguel is miserable with the manner in which his wish has been granted, and confesses to his brother what he prayed for. His brother explains that he had been praying to leave New Mexico and see more of the world – while he is not happy about being drafted, he fatalistically accepts that it is the only way he is likely to be able to fulfill his dream. The brothers resolve to allow God to work freely for the rest of their lives, and not bother God with petty requests.
Illustrations
[edit]The book was illustrated by artist Jean Charlot, described as "the greatest artist ever to devote himself regularly to the field of children's books".[10] The New York Herald Tribune reviewer gave credit to Charlot: "Fully half of our pleasure in the book lay in the superb Charlot drawings."[11]
References
[edit]- ^ "Newbery Medal and Honor Books, 1922-Present". American Library Association. November 30, 1999. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
- ^ Gillespie, J.T.; Naden, C.J. (2001). The Newbery Companion: Booktalk and Related Materials for Newbery Medal and Honor Books. Newbery Companion. Libraries Unlimited. p. 188. ISBN 978-1-56308-813-1. Retrieved December 18, 2016.
- ^ Krumgold, Joseph (1953). "And Now Miguel". The Criterion Channel. United States. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
- ^ a b Passafiume, Andrea (October 16, 2009). "...And Now Miguel". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on September 29, 2014. Retrieved December 18, 2016.
- ^ "Pat Cardi". tcmdb. tcm.com. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
- ^ "Pat Cardi...gets star treatment". tessa2.lapl.org - LAPL's TESSA. CONTENTdm. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
- ^ a b "And Now Miguel". Encyclopedia.com. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
- ^ "Best Of Denver® 2001 - Arts & Entertainment". Westword. Denver. 2001. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
- ^ "And Now Miguel". Concord Theatricals. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
- ^ "Jean Charlot's Technique in Children's Book Illustration Peter Morse". Archived from the original on May 3, 2012. Retrieved February 7, 2009.
- ^ New York Herald Tribune Book Review, November 15, 1953
External links
[edit]
- And Now Miguel (1953 documentary) at IMDb
- And Now Miguel (1953 documentary) at the TCM Movie Database
- And Now Miguel (1966 film) at IMDb
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