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48 pp.
| Innovation
| September, 2023
|
TradeISBN 9781959244011$18.89
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Isabel Muñoz.
After noting Ynes Mexia’s (1870–1938) childhood traumas and marital and business woes, this picture-book biography shows how she rose from the ashes to earn a college degree in her fifties and become the tip of the spear in the hazardous, male-dominated profession of botanical exploration. A conceit that compares the intrepid Mexia to the elusive wax palm tree she famously found succeeds as much for its lyricism as for conveying Mexia’s resilience and singular gifts. The time period is unspecified, making it difficult to fully appreciate the historical barriers Mexia faced in accumulating her vast collection of rare plant specimens; also, no mention is made of the racism Mexia experienced as a Mexican American person. Muñoz’s digital illustrations in a palette of earth tones give the inspiring, emotionally resonant narrative an evergreen feel.
48 pp.
| Little Bee
| August, 2020
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4998-1142-1$18.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Paola Escobar.
López follows the singer's short but influential career from childhood to young adulthood, emphasizing her Mexican American family's support and her natural talent. The tone is upbeat and focuses on Selena's devotion to family, her success, and her impact on Tejano and Latino music; events surrounding her murder are mentioned only in the back matter (leaving the main text feeling somewhat unfinished). After an illustrated timeline, López provides "A Little More About..." related topics including some history of Tejano culture, Tejano music, quinceañeras, and the Texas towns where Selena grew up. Escobar's warm, stylish illustrations have a southwestern vibe. Quotations in the text are unsourced.
(3)
4-6
Checkerboard Library: Toy Trailblazers series.
Each of these engaging biographies introduces readers to the creator of a popular classic kids' toy or game. The texts are generally positive (and overuse exclamation points) but don't ignore difficulties and hardship, both personal and business-related. Captioned photos, archival reproductions, and "Fun Fact" boxes liven up the pages. The topics have ready-made kid-appeal; readers will glean insight into product development and the challenges of running a business. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: Toy Trailblazers titles: Hot Wheels Developer, Lincoln Logs Creator, My Little Pony Pioneer, Nerf Genius, Nintendo Innovator, and The Slime Queen.
(2)
4-6
Acevedo defied expectations growing up in a working-class Mexican American family in 1960s and 1970s Las Cruces, New Mexico. Thanks, in part, to childhood experiences in the Girl Scouts, she became a rocket scientist and is now CEO of the Girl Scouts of the USA. Acevedo doesn't shy away from matter-of-factly discussing difficult parts of her youth. Occasional black-and-white photographs between chapters add intimacy to her moving autobiographical account. Also available in Spanish.
Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2018
240 pp.
| Little
| September, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-0-316-48174-8$16.99
|
EbookISBN 978-0-316-48173-1
(3)
4-6
At once heartbreaking and full of hope, this moving memoir is a survival story that recounts the Mexican American author's adolescence spent as an undocumented immigrant in Texas. Arce brings to life the current reality of many, and her story will evoke empathy. This well-written testament to the power of hope, sacrifice, and education also conveys information about various immigration laws. Includes an insert of family photos.
(3)
YA
Grande's parents left their children in Mexico with their neglectful grandmother while they illegally crossed the U.S. border to find jobs. Their mother returned home with a new baby; the still-struggling siblings' long-absent father eventually brought them to the U.S. The grim true story, adapted for middle-school readers from Grande's memoir, never devolves into melodrama, and the ultimately optimistic ending is inspiring.
48 pp.
| Enslow
| October, 2011
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-3875-2$23.93
(4)
4-6
Hot Celebrity Biographies series.
These adulatory biographies cover the rise to fame of some of today's most popular young stars in the music, television, and film industries. The high-interest texts, while superficial, are easy to read; sidebars provide trivia tidbits for fans. Ample publicity photographs and discographies or filmographies are included. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Hot Celebrity Biographies titles: Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Robert Pattinson, Selena Gomez, Taylor Lautner, and Taylor Swift.
180 pp.
| Greenhaven
| June, 2010
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7377-4800-0$37.30
(4)
YA
Social Issues in Literature series.
Each collection reprints short pieces introducing the author's life, investigating one theme of his or her title work, and exploring related issues in contemporary society. These collections are most helpful when the theme is central to the work, as the environment is to Walden; in other cases (the Hamlet volume, for example), the approach is a little restrictive. Reading list, timeline. Bib., ind. Review covers these Social Issues in Literature titles: The Abuse of Power in George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four, Patriarchy in Sandra Cisneros's The House on Mango Street, Corruption in William Shakespeare's Hamlet, and The Environment in Henry David Thoreau's Walden.
128 pp.
| Enslow
| April, 2010
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-3167-8$31.93
(4)
YA
Multicultural Literature series.
Students of literature will appreciate these dense but useful discussions of notable titles popular with young adult audiences. Plot summaries, literary elements, reception and criticism, and a brief overview of the authors' lives combine with photographs and sidebars to present a thorough analysis of the books, their literary and historical significance, and the authors who wrote them. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Multicultural Literature titles: A Reader's Guide to Sandra Cisneros's The House on Mango Street, A Reader's Guide to Gary Soto's Taking Sides, A Reader's Guide to Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God, and A Reader's Guide to Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis.
32 pp.
| HarperCollins/Rayo
| August, 2010
|
TradeISBN 978-0-06-122781-3$16.99
(3)
K-3
Translated by Carolina Valencia.
Illustrated by
Joe Cepeda.
Brown makes a significant contribution to the increasing number of books about César Chávez by focusing equally on his partner, Dolores Huerta. Their life stories are told in parallel until they meet and "side by side...began their journey." Huerta's accomplishments are admirable, and she gets her due in this heartfelt bilingual volume enhanced by Cepeda's emotion-filled mixed-media illustrations.
128 pp.
| Enslow
| September, 2009
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-3163-0$31.93
(4)
YA
Latino Biography Library series.
These biographies describe how Cisneros struggled to feel appreciated and understood as a Latina author and how Ochoa's groundbreaking path frequently led her to be the only woman in her field of study and profession. The texts, though choppy, are readable. Photographs and sidebars add interest and some context for report writers. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these Latino Biography Library titles: Ellen Ochoa and Sandra Cisneros.
32 pp.
| ABDO
| January, 2009
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-60453-548-8$25.65
(4)
K-3
Big Buddy Biographies series.
These volumes offer basic biographical information about popular kid stars. The texts, though bland and very light on content, are easy to read, and their subjects will be of interest to children. Many photographs appear throughout the books; captions and brief "Did you know..." sidebars give additional information on the stars' family lives, schooling, and professional careers. Glos., ind. Review covers these Big Buddy Biographies titles: Abigail Breslin and Selena Gomez.
128 pp.
| Enslow
| October, 2009
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-3162-3$31.93
(4)
YA
Latino Biography Library series.
These biographies describe how Cisneros struggled to feel appreciated and understood as a Latina author and how Ochoa's groundbreaking path frequently led her to be the only woman in her field of study and profession. The texts, though choppy, are readable. Photographs and sidebars add interest and some context for report writers. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these Latino Biography Library titles: Ellen Ochoa and Sandra Cisneros.
104 pp.
| Lucent
| December, 2008
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-4205-0096-7$32.45
(4)
YA
People in the News series.
From politicians to actors to world leaders, these biographies provide mostly adulatory portrayals of their subjects (with the exceptions of Castro and Kim Jong Il); occasionally something controversial slips in to spice up the texts. Each volume includes biographical information, photographs, and career highlights (through 2008). Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these People in the News titles: Salma Hayek, Nancy Pelosi, Al Gore, Coretta Scott King, Pope Benedict XVI, Fidel Castro, and Kim Jong Il.
135 pp.
| Chelsea
| January, 2008
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7910-9528-7$30.00
(4)
YA
Who Wrote That? series.
Formulaic but informative, these biographies of popular children's book authors examine each writer's life, including the inspiration behind some of their works. Each volume includes photographs and quotations from interviews, as well as descriptions of main characters and annotated lists of books and awards. Useful for aspiring authors as well as book report writers. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Who Wrote That? titles: Gail Carson Levine, Shel Silverstein, Laurence Yep, Pat Mora, Scott O'Dell, Laura Ingalls Wilder, and Walter Dean Myers.
104 pp.
| Lucent
| September, 2008
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-4205-0060-8$32.45
(4)
YA
20th Century's Most Influential Hispanics series.
This biography celebrates the life and career of Nancy Lopez, highlighting her determination to overcome discrimination as well as her commitment to prioritizing family. The text recounts Lopez's record-breaking wins, pivotal role in promoting women's golf, and enduring popularity among fans, providing ample material for report writers. Numerous photographs (some poorly placed) illustrate the text. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind.
32 pp.
| Enslow/Elementary
| August, 2007
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-2677-3$22.60
(4)
4-6
Latinos famosos series.
These biographies detail the lives of six notable Latinos, pointing out both the struggles and achievements in their personal lives and careers. The writing varies in style from active and engaging (Chávez, Clemente) to more flat. Numerous photographs and other visual support (e.g., artwork reproductions in Kahlo) help give faces to these important figures. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Latinos famosos titles: César Chávez, Diego Rivera, Ellen Ochoa, Frida Kahlo, George Lopez, and Roberto Clemente.
32 pp.
| Enslow/Elementary
| December, 2006
|
LibraryISBN 0-7660-2642-6$22.60
(4)
4-6
Famous Latinos series.
These biographies of astronaut Ochoa and comedian Lopez aren't up to the other titles in this worthwhile series: both have a flat quality, repeat some information, and leave the reader with questions (e.g., why did NASA keep turning down Ochoa? What "different jobs" did the twenty-something Lopez hold?). The plentiful photos in each book help give the subjects dimension. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.
106 pp.
| Chelsea
| December, 2006
|
LibraryISBN 0-7910-8842-1$30.00
(3)
YA
Great Hispanic Heritage series.
These biographies provide substantive portraits of their subjects: Ochoa, the first Hispanic woman to travel in space; Martí, the poet and a hero of Cuban independence; and Huerta, a union activist who fought for the right of farm workers. The well-documented texts effectively combine anecdotes, quotations, and historical details. Many photographs, some drawings, and sidebars are also included. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Great Hispanic Heritage titles: Ellen Ochoa, José Martí, and Dolores Huerta.
101 pp.
| Chelsea
| December, 2006
|
LibraryISBN 0-7910-8838-3$30.00
(3)
YA
Great Hispanic Heritage series.
These biographies provide substantive portraits of their subjects: Ochoa, the first Hispanic woman to travel in space; Martí, the poet and a hero of Cuban independence; and Huerta, a union activist who fought for the right of farm workers. The well-documented texts effectively combine anecdotes, quotations, and historical details. Many photographs, some drawings, and sidebars are also included. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Great Hispanic Heritage titles: Ellen Ochoa, José Martí, and Dolores Huerta.