This Newbery Honor Book tells the story of a young Mayan boy growing up in Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula. Twelve-year old Tigre must take over the family responsibilities when his father is injured. He takes his father's place clearing and planting the family's small milpa (corn field). Through the story the reader learns about the cultural traditions of a Mayan family and the extreme importance of corn and weather in their lives. Illustrated in the style of ancient Mayan paintings, the story is rich in Mayan language and culture.
Rhoads, Dorothy. The Corn Grows Ripe. New York: Puffin Books, 1993. Print.