Viva, Rose!

If young Jewish girl Rose Solomon is anything like her mother, she will be married in two years and become a housekeeping wife with neat hair and pretty shoes. Rose, however, would rather be free – free to sing in public and spend her time as she wishes.

But when Rose discovers her brother has lied about visiting family and instead joined Mexican revolutionist Pancho Villa’s notorious gang, she steps into the greatest adventure of her life: and as she meets the people her brother has fallen in with, she discovers their quest is not so different from her own.

Beyond Rose’s struggle to find her brother, Krawitz creates a complex internal conflict as Rose questions freedom, falsehood, fault, and friendship. Krawitz also utilizes beautiful imagery, from sunset and moonrise to horse riding, and the backdrop of Villa’s “Robin Hood” philosophy, as well as the period’s racial tension to enhance Rose’s conflict.

Based on true events and family history (described in a must-read Author’s Note), Viva, Rose! tells a captivating tale of one girl’s journey to realizing true freedom.