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48 pp.
| Boyds/Wordsong
| April, 2004
|
TradeISBN 1-56397-740-0$$16.95
|
PaperISBN 1-59078-264-X$$9.95
(3)
4-6
Illustrated by
Robert Casilla.
Sixth grader Blanca, who lives with her immigrant family in the barrio, yearns for a better life. These poems reveal Blanca's hopes, dreams, and frustrations with both humor and poignancy; Medina's free verse lends itself well to treatment in both English and Spanish. The poems are accompanied by realistic black-and-white illustrations. Glos.
83 pp.
| Clarion
| September, 2003
|
TradeISBN 0-618-19463-0$$19.00
(3)
4-6
Illustrated by
Jacqueline Mair
&
Jacqueline Mair.
In these retellings of Mexican folktales, humans interact with supernatural beings, and good eclipses evil. Religious figures, including the Virgin Mary, predominate. The fifteen stories vary in length from five lines to several pages, and detailed source notes are appended. The acrylic illustrations highlight key elements from each tale and re-create the vibrant, contrasting colors of Mexican folk art. Bib.
(4)
K-3
We Are America series.
This informative series introduces young readers to the immigrant experience, from life in the homeland to life adapting to a new culture. Personal narratives, photographs, maps, and timelines present a vivid portrait of the challenges and successes encountered, while descriptions of pastimes and traditions offer cultural perspective. Reading list. Glos., ind. [Review covers these We Are America titles: Chinese Americans, German Americans, Mexican Americans, Asian Indian Americans, Filipino Americans, and Italian Americans.]
32 pp.
| ABDO
| September, 2003
|
LibraryISBN 1-57765-987-2$$22.78
(4)
K-3
Checkerboard: One Nation series.
Each book follows the same formula: brief historical background, reasons for immigrating to America, encounters with discrimination, assimilation into the mainstream, and the contributions of individuals. Family-style photographs augment the simplistic text. A pronunciation guide and a "Path to Citizenship" feature appear in all the volumes. There are four other fall 2003 titles in this series. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Checkerboard: One Nation titles: German Americans, Haitian Americans, Hmong Americans, Jewish Americans, Mexican Americans, and Somali Americans.]
48 pp.
| Random
| May, 2003
|
LibraryISBN 0-375-91087-5$$11.99
|
PaperISBN 0-375-81087-0$$3.99
(4)
K-3
Step into Reading series.
Illustrated by
Susan Guevara
&
Susan Guevara.
When Rosa tries to share her abuela's "mud soup" with her friend Josh, he hesitates to eat what looks like dirt mixed with worms. Although the transitions are abrupt, this book features word repetition, a linear plot, and a text flavored with Spanish words. The accompanying illustrations provide clues to help beginning readers decode the text. A short glossary of Spanish words and a recipe for black bean soup are included.
48 pp.
| Harcourt
| August, 2003
|
TradeISBN 0-15-204755-7$$17.00
(3)
K-3
Translated by F. Isabel Campoy.
Illustrated by
Yuyi Morales.
This edition of Harvesting Hope brings the story of the Latino labor leader to a Spanish-speaking audience. The well-translated text creates a complex view of Chávez, and the mixed-media folk-styled paintings are suffused with a variety of emotions.
48 pp.
| Harcourt
| March, 2003
|
TradeISBN 0-15-201437-3$$17.00
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Yuyi Morales.
Showing how Chavez developed into an advocate and spokesman for migrant workers, Krull focuses on the march he led as part of a grape-pickers strike. The brief text creates a complex view of Chavez, and the mixed-media paintings are suffused with a variety of emotions. There are no sources, but this is an excellent choice for furthering understanding of racism, of nonviolent protest, and of the lives of workers before unions.
48 pp.
| Mitchell
| December, 2003
|
LibraryISBN 1-58415-207-9$$19.95
(4)
4-6
Latinos in American History series.
In Paredes, which profiles the Mexican-American poet, writer, and folklorist, Murcia takes the time to illuminate her subject's character through humorous anecdotes; in contrast, Chavez seems cursory and incomplete--unaccountably, considering its subject was hardly an elusive figure. These two biographies feature photos framed with gaudy colors. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Latinos in American History titles: Americo Paredes and Cesar Chavez.
(2)
YA
As we find our way through these eleven disparate coming-of-age cuentos about Chicano culture, Saldaña forces us to experience the linguistic world of many of his protagonists--the decision to offer no glossary for the Spanish phrases that infuse his text serves as a curative disadvantage for the English-speaking reader. Never maudlin or overdrawn, these taut but lyrical tales bring light into the corners of kids' lives.
Reviewer: Susan P. Bloom
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
March, 2003
45 pp.
| Holt
| August, 2003
|
TradeISBN 0-8050-6558-X$$17.95
(4)
1-3
Monchi Ramirez chronicles the year 1938 at his school, a one-room schoolhouse in rural Arizona. Along with his descriptions of the students' adventures are copies of the school paper for the reader to peruse. Sandin's careful attention to historical accuracy sometimes overrides the plot, but readers almost ready for chapter books will appreciate this detailed picture book.
48 pp.
| Mitchell
| December, 2003
|
LibraryISBN 1-58415-224-9$$19.95
(4)
4-6
Latinos in American History series.
In Paredes, which profiles the Mexican-American poet, writer, and folklorist, Murcia takes the time to illuminate her subject's character through humorous anecdotes; in contrast, Chavez seems cursory and incomplete--unaccountably, considering its subject was hardly an elusive figure. These two biographies feature photos framed with gaudy colors. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Latinos in American History titles: Americo Paredes and Cesar Chavez.
32 pp.
| Atheneum
| January, 2002
|
TradeISBN 0-689-31819-7$$16.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Elivia Savadier.
A young girl spends Saturdays with her English-speaking grandparents and domingos with her Spanish-speaking abuelo and abuela. The double-page spreads show Saturday and Sunday activities mirroring each other and function as a translation for Spanish words in the text. The watercolors convey a feeling of warmth for both cultures.
32 pp.
| Cinco
| August, 2002
|
TradeISBN 0-938317-66-0$$15.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Francisco Delgado.
Carlitos's mother works two jobs but still can't support him and his grandmother. As she helps organize Los Angeles's janitors' strike of 2000, Carlitos finds a way to get involved in the cause. Carlitos's narration, appearing in both English and Spanish, doesn't always ring true, but his mother's character comes across, and Delgado's heavily shaded illustrations capture the workers' weariness and dignity.
32 pp.
| Lee
| April, 2002
|
TradeISBN 1-58430-020-5$$16.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Felipe Davalos.
Ana, a young Mexican girl, serves as a translator for Mamá, who thinks that learning English is impossible. While the resolution of the story is tender, the mother's decision to study English isn't particularly well motivated, and some translations of Spanish dialogue feel awkward. Davalos's oil illustrations present a realistic portrait of a Hispanic family.
32 pp.
| Children's
| March, 2002
|
TradeISBN 0-89239-171-5$$16.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Anita De Lucio-Brock.
In this slice-of-life story, Juanito and his grandmother sell clothes at a California flea market. Juanito spends most of his time at other booths, and Herrera's text is equally descriptive of the flea market ambiance in both English and Spanish. The illustrations are the weak link here, not quite attaining the true folk art quality to which they aspire.
32 pp.
| Lee
| September, 2002
|
TradeISBN 1-58430-044-2$$16.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Enrique O. Sanchez.
At her first swap meet with her family, Estela hopes to sell her beloved music box to earn money for folk dancing lessons. When a neighboring vendor loses her inventory in a sudden strong wind, Estela makes a sacrifice that delays the attainment of her goal. The acrylic illustrations convey an air of activity as they direct attention to the principle characters and events. A brief glossary (with pronunciations) precedes the story.
32 pp.
| Children's
| September, 2002
|
TradeISBN 0-89239-175-8$$16.95
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Maya Christina Gonzalez.
Through Amada's diary entries, presented in a bilingual text, readers learn that her father has lost his job, so she and her family are moving from Mexico to Los Angeles. The narrative, based on the author's own experience, follows a predictable arc but is affecting nevertheless. Gonzalez's breathtaking illustrations blaze with color and capture the hilariously mundane details of life, such as the antics of Amada's unruly brothers.
Reviewer: Nell Beram
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2002
32 pp.
| Lee
| October, 2002
|
TradeISBN 1-58430-045-0$$16.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Robert Casilla.
Because his papá is a migrant farm worker, Chico has attended numerous California schools, and he finds it difficult to be a new kid so often. However, on his first day in third grade, he uses his mathematical expertise to face down two fourth-grade bullies, and things begin to look up. A number of the illustrations are stiff, but Chico's victory is heartwarming.