Carlos is working in the kitchen of the Mexican monastery when the cook
enters the room in a panic. The Spanish Viceroy is on his way for a
surprise visit and will arrive by noon, expecting dinner. What will the
brothers feed this important ambassador to the king? Carlos tries to
stay out of the way as lunch is hastily prepared, but his curiosity gets
the best of him. His eagerness results in a moment of crisis, followed
by what the brothers can only assume is a miracle. This story, inspired
by the Mexican folk tradition, explains the origins of molé, the popular
national dish that combines chocolate with turkey, spices, and nuts.
Stefan Czernecki's amusing, angular illustrations capture the chaos in
the kitchen as well as the folk tradition behind the tale. READING
LEVELS: Lexile Level: 540L; Guided Reading: L