Long before J.K. Rowling sent Harry Potter off to Hogwarts, Rudolfo Anaya penned a novel about magic, witches, ghosts, a young boy growing up, and an awesome pet owl.

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Published in 1972, Bless Me, Ultima follows the trials and tribulations of Antonio "Tony" Márez as he tries to find his way in the world. Antonio is six years old when Ultima comes to stay with his family in New Mexico. She is a curandera, one who cures with herbs and magic. Under her wise wing, Tony will probe the family ties that bind and rend him, and he will discover himself in the magical secrets of the pagan past-a mythic legacy as palpable as the Catholicism of Latin America. And at each life turn there is Ultima, who delivered Tony into the world...and will nurture the birth of his soul.

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Like our other popular guides, this guide begins by providing information about the Catholic church and biblical and mythological references students will need to know to understand much of the significance of the novel. Included is the ever popular Map Work, library/online research, character study guides, study questions, translations, lessons, quizzes, essay questions and sample essays. Lexile: 840L