The life and death of Little Jo

A tiny segment of America, shut in by ignorance, fostered by the selfish interests of the storekeeper who dominates the community and who keeps the people bound to their old Spanish ways, beliefs, superstitions, faith, despite the efforts of a few sceptics who were once ""outside"" -- such is the setting for this unusual story of a Penitente community in New Mexico. Little Jo has achieved legendary fame in the group as the son of a murderer who escaped from jail to see his baby and his wife before she died. The boy is brought up by a spiteful uncle and aunt; he is championed by old Cornelio, loved by direct, fiery Mela, and noted because of his inherited ability to sing the old songs in the traditional way. The bleak life in the community is supplemented by the colorful religious and social events, the unworldly attitude towards the law, governmental regulations, education and health -- factors in producing Little Jo for the Army, which plucks him out of his little world, after he has had his revenge on his hated cousin.....A nice job.-Kirkus Review