Willow Awards

The 2007 Willow Awards

Snow Willow Nominee

I Am A Taxi

I Am A Taxi

By Deborah Ellis.
Groundwood Books, 2006.
ISBN 9780888997364
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For twelve-year-old Diego and his family, home is the San Sebastian Women's Prison in Cochabamba, Bolivia. His parents farmed coca, a traditional Bolivian medicinal plant, until they got caught in the middle of the government's war on drugs and were mistakenly convicted of drug possession. Diego's parents are locked up, but he can come and go: to school, to the market to sell his mother's hand-knitted goods, and to work as a "taxi," running errands for other prisoners. But then his little sister runs away, earning his mother a heavy fine. The debt and dawning realization of his hopeless situation make him vulnerable to his friend Mando's plan to make big money, fast. Soon, Diego is deep in the jungle, working as a virtual slave in an illegal cocaine operation. As his situation becomes more and more dangerous, he knows he must take a terrible risk if he ever wants to see his family again.

About the Author

Deborah Ellis

Deborah Ellis is from Simcoe, ON

Contact Deborah Ellis

Writing books is something I have always wanted to do, and have tried to do, since I was twelve years old, growing up in Paris, Ontario. Writing helps me to understand the world, and myself. While the work of writing is often frustrating and difficult, it can also be glorious and exciting.

As soon as high school was over, I got involved in the movement to rid the world of nuclear weapons. Political activism for peace and social justice forms a large part of my life. My books reflect the heroism of people around the world who are struggling for decent lives. It has been a real privilege for me to sit with people in many parts of the world and learn how their lives have been drastically altered by war or disease, and how they try to remain kind in spite of it all. This has taught me how fundamentally alike we all are

I now live in Simcoe, in Southern Ontario, and divide my time between writing and wandering around. My mother, Betty, passed away a few years ago. My father, Keith, lives in Simcoe and bakes wonderful cookies. My sister, Carolyn, is a nurse with two daughters. I live alone and have no children.



Book Reviews


Suggested Activities

  1. Create a travel brochure for Bolivia.
  2. Create a Venn diagram comparing Diego's prison experience with that of an inmate in a Saskatchewan prison.
  3. Journal a typical day in the life of Diego while he was allowed to be a "taxi".
  4. How did this book influence your thoughts and opinions about the use of illegal drugs?
  5. Check out Diane Ellis' web site to learn more about her.

Teacher Resources

Booktalk (pdf)
Comprehending the Willows website.


Comments

Comment #1 posted on April 07, 2011, 7:12 PM
I really like I am a taxi and I think you're an amazing writer
osuni, david thompson

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