Secret of the Andes is a children's novel by Ann Nolan Clark

Ann Nolan Clark

Ann Nolan Clark, born Anna Marie Nolan was an American writer who won the 1953 Newbery Medal.-Biography:...

. It won the 1953 Newbery Medal

Newbery Medal

The John Newbery Medal is a literary award given by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association . The award is given to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. The award has been given since 1922. ...

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Plot summary

Cusi is a 20th century Incan boy who lives in a high mountain valley with an old llama

Llama

The llama is a South American camelid, widely used as a meat and pack animal by Andean cultures since pre-Hispanic times....

 herder named Chuto. Chuto raised Cusi in a traditional Incan fashion, although the Spanish

Spain

Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...

 culture was prevalent in Peru

Peru

Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....

since the conquest of the Incan Empire. Although eager for adventure, Cusi is still drawn to the home he has known all his life. Cusi sets out from his home to try to find a family, but discovers that Chuto is all the family he needs.