Growing up in the late 1800s, Julio Tello, an Indigenous boy, spent time exploring the caves and burial grounds in the foothills of the Peruvian Andes. Nothing scared Julio, not even the ancient human skulls he found. His bravery earned him the boyhood nickname Sharuko, which means "brave" in Quechua, the language of the Native people of Peru.

At the age of twelve, Julio moved to Lima to continue his education. While in medical school, he discovered an article about the skulls he had found. The skulls had long ago been sent to Lima to be studied by scientists. The article renewed Julio's interest in his ancestry, and he decided to devote his medical skills to the study of Peru's Indigenous history.

Over his lifetime, Julio Tello made many revolutionary discoveries at archaeological sites around Peru, and he worked to preserve the historical treasures he excavated. He showed that Peru's Indigenous cultures had been established thousands of years ago, disproving the popular belief that Peruvian culture had been introduced more recently from other countries. He fostered pride in his country's Indigenous ancestry, making him a hero to all Peruvians. Because of the brave man once known as Sharuko, people around the world today know of Peru's long history and its living cultural legacy.

Reviews and Awards:

"A highly recommended and inspiring portrayal of dedication and perseverance for today's generation of explorers."

"Informative and engaging."

"Vibrant illustrations and a detailed bilingual text come together to tell the inspiring story of Julio C. Tello"

"An Indigenous Peruvian boy grew up in the Andean highlands, visiting the tombs of his ancestors. This boy was Julio C. Tello, and he became the most important Indigenous Peruvian archaeologist of all time. In this beautiful and well-informed book, you will find the story of his perseverance and success. Tello fought against many obstacles to realize his dreams."

"This is a wonderful, lovingly-illustrated portrait of Julio C. Tello and his remarkable career. It will inspire young people to go out and make discoveries of their own, regardless of their backgrounds. As the founder of modern Peruvian archaeology, Tello is justly famous in Peru. This book will bring awareness of his great accomplishments to readers in North America."

"This compact bio of a premier archaeologist whose "discoveries came from the unique perspective of someone studying his own ancestors" is a strong recommendation."

"Brown... succeeds again in making the passionate pursuit of a profession exciting for young readers."

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