Heartbeat, Drumbeat — Irene Beltran Hernandez

Heartbeat Drumbeat is a coming-of-age story, set in the multi-cultural American Southwest. Morgana Cruz is the daughter of a Navajo mother and a Mexican-American father. In her search for identity, Morgana weaves her way through a series of personal and cultural conflicts, leading her to interact with a group of fascinating characters: Isadora, her Navajo mentor; Eagle Eyes, a young Indian lawyer seeking to establish his own identity; and Morgana's own parents -- feisty Frank Cruz and elusive Marisol, whose secret holds the key to Morgana's future. Rich in descriptions of Native American and Mexican coming-of-age rituals, this novel will appeal to readers of all ages.