Juan Seguin: A Hero of Texas

Tells the story of Juan Seguin, a member of one of San Antonio's oldest families, who joined forces with General Houston of Texas at the battle of San Jacinto.

Gr 4-6 Kerr's writing style undermines her aim to spotlight a Hispanic hero. Juan Seguin, scion of a wealthy San Antonio family, befriended the American settlers Stephen Austin and Jim Bowie in the struggle to sever Texas from Mexico. By fighting at the Alamo, he jeopardized his family and fortune. After Houston's victory at San Jacinto, Seguins' family was reduced to poverty by war, fever and starvation. As commander of the town, Seguin rebuilt San Antonio. Sketchy development jumps from Juan's twelfth birthday to marriage to wartime before page 14. Kerr fails to establish the justice in the Texans' claims to their land. Confusing chronology and unclear motives for the conflict will lose readers. The regrettable impression of somnolent Mexicans emerges from the use of sleep and yawns as transitions between episodes. It is sad that a story which needs telling is told in this way. Pat Harrington, Phoenix Public Library

Copyright 1986 Cahners Business Information, Inc.