Solimar: The Sword of the Monarchs

“You know, Lázaro, I’m not a little girl anymore. I shouldn’t have to wait for a chaperone.”

With her decision to break childhood rules and test her bravery, Solimar shows her independence. She recognizes that childhood is behind her and that she is transitioning to adulthood. The dialogue emulates the way people speak in real life, with conversational language—“you know.”

“I want to reassure you that my family and I will do everything in our power to protect the forest so you’ll always have a home. It’s a solemn promise.”

Solimar’s pledge illustrates her commitment to conservation, a major theme in the novel. Her vow also confers a huge responsibility. To protect the monarchs and their habitat, and to save her kingdom, Solimar shows her strength: She truly must “do everything in [her] power,” including risking her life, to keep others safe.

“Isn’t it amazing that the butterflies, who have never been here before, arrive season after season at the same spot as their ancestors? Is it the magnetic pull of the earth or the position of the sun, as the scientists suggest? Or do the spirits of their fathers and mothers whisper directions to them in a dream? Is it some magical intuition that allows them to know what lies ahead? Any way you think about it, Lázaro, it’s a miracle!”

Solimar is awed by the monarchs’ ability to return to the oyamel forest—whether it be due to the magic of their ancestors or nature’s laws. Monarchs may fly 2,500-3,000 total miles on their migratory journey, traveling more than 100 miles a day. The novel presents the monarch migration as a scientific marvel, an extraordinary and seemingly inexplicable event. Solimar’s speculations about the butterflies’ abilities reveal the novel’s emphasis on protecting nature and its wonders.