Shadow Of A Bull

Shadow Of A Bull

Written By Maia Wojciechowska

Genre: Historical Fiction

Award: Newberry Medal Award (1965)

Suggested Grade Level:

3rd – 6th; Because of the integration of Spanish words and unknown bullfighting terms in this novel, I would suggest this book for upper elementary students. The presence of some violence and gore as they talk about the killing of bulls would also require a more mature audience who can understand the culture.

Summary:

As the son of the greatest matador in Spain, main character Manolo Oliver is forced to assume his father’s role in fighting bulls. But Manolo is terrified not only of the idea of fighting a bull, but heights, cars, and letting down society. As he feels the pressures from his friends and family, he realizes he doesn’t have the “aficion,” the love for bullfighting, that everyone else does, particularly his best friend Juan Garcia. Manolo, rather, desires to be a doctor to save people’s lives, not to risk his own life. The climax of the story doesn’t come until the end, when he is strained to make a decision and to please the people at the fight. Will Manolo fight the bull or convince the Count to let Juan have the chance to fight?

How Shadow Of A Bull could be used in the classroom:

This novel could be used in a social studies lesson or a Spanish lesson to teach about the culture of Spain and bullfighting. The teacher can guide students to understanding that bullfighting is a sport in Spain, just as America has many of their own traditions and customs in sports. Students could practice their writing skills as they learn to write and address a letter to Manolo Oliver in the story, telling him of their advice of what he should do. Students may advise him to put down his fears and fight the bull, or that he should forsake others’ dreams of him and pursue his own dream of being a doctor. Creating a character development chart of Manolo or Juan Garcia by drawing a picture of him and adding words and descriptors around him in the first half of the book, and then at the end of the book would help students recognize how the character changes.

ESOL strategies/applications/accommodations:

Students may enhance comprehension by completing a Venn diagram comparing and contrasting Manolo Oliver and his father, Juan Oliver. Students may address the characters’ feelings that are described in the text, their appearance, their dreams, their characteristics, and personality. Students can use a story map to follow the events of the story more completely to aid in comprehension. The teacher may provide visuals so ESOL students can see what is being referred to in the text. This may help ESOL students to recall facts because there was a concrete image of the story, if they have not mentally made the image from solely reading. Students can be encouraged to use the glossary at the end of the novel and other dictionaries to look up terms they are unfamiliar with for vocabulary development.

Suggested Read Aloud Pages:

Pages 1-7; I would read aloud pages 1-7, which is all of chapter one because it provides a detailed description of the main character and what he will face in the novel. Manolo is relatable, with reasonable fears and peer pressures, that students will feel compassion for as they relate to his feelings.

My Opinion of Shadow Of A Bull:

Shadow of A Bull was definitely a unique experience into the culture of Spain and its bullfighting tradition. It describes the relationship among society and the pressures and fears that young matadors must face and conquer to prove themselves to their people. The suspense and historical accuracy in the plot made this book a must read for older elementary students, who desire to be submerged into a diverse culture.