Despite her name, TaĂna Perez doesnât know anything about her TaĂno heritage, nor has she ever tried to learn. After all, how would ancient Puerto Rican history help with everything going on? Thereâs constant trouble at school and in her neighborhood, her older brother was kicked out of the house, and with her mom at work, sheâs left alone to care for her little brother and aging grandmother. Itâs a lot for a fourteen-year-old to manage.
But life takes a wild turn when her abuela tells her she is a direct descendant of Anacaona, the beloved TaĂno leader, warrior, and poet, who was murdered by the Spanish in 1503. Abuela also gives her an amulet and a zemi and says that itâs time for her to step into her power like the women who came before her. But is that even possible? People like her hardly make it out of their circumstances, and the problems in her home and community are way bigger than TaĂna can manage. Or are they?
A modern tale with interstitial historical chapters, The Moonlit Vine brings readers a powerful story of the collective struggle, hope, and liberation of Puerto Rican and TaĂno peoples.