A Crooked Path

Title: A CROOKED PATH
Author: Annette Smith
Publisher: NavPress
September 2007
ISBN: 978-1-57683-996-6
Genre: Inspirational/contemporary

Manny Ortega’s father abandoned his family when Manny was only twelve years old. When Manny was fifteen he left Mexico for Texas, driven by the need to provide for his mother and siblings. Many years later, Manny lands a job working as a ranch hand for Owen Green.

Over the years, Mr. Green gets worse and his sister comes to take care of him. But when the unexpected happens, Manny finds himself forced to do things he never dreamed of doing. Owen and Manny develop a friendship of sorts, one that is threatened when Owen’s daughter, Chaney comes to visit.

Can Owen and Manny salvage their relationship, or will Manny lose another father figure?

A CROOKED PATH is a moving story. I’ve heard good things about it and wanted to read it for myself, so that is why this review is so long after publication. I had to wait for time to read it. Written in first person, I got to know Manny very well and I grew to care for him. I also loved Mr. Green’s sister.

This is a good story, one that moved me to tears once in awhile. It deals with the subject of racism and how Texans view the Mexicans. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. $12.99. 270 pages.