Summary: This historical novel takes place in the 60s after the Cuban Revolution. Three young brothers are sent to Florida by their parents through Operation Pedro Pan to try to find a better life for themselves. Instead, they endure maltreatment and insufficient government support. In this book, readers will become familiar with the hardship that came from living in Cuba. One of the young brothers is determined to sail back to his native land to rescue the refugees. Will he be able to go through his plan?
Analysis: An incredible coming-of-age novel with a tie in with the Cuban Revolution and the entire country is in turmoil where families had to leave or send their children away via Operation Pedro Pan. Similar to how immigrants might have to run away from their home country to the States. Julian, the main character, along with his two brothers migrate from their native land to Cuba without their parents and in secret. Julian does not understand why his family could not stay together and why the sacrifice needed to be made to escape tyranny in Cuba. Unfortunately, the three brothers run into another dictatorship in the refugee camp by bullies. They face the troubles of adapting to a new country, freedom, and to be seen as equals in the eyes of Americans. This can be a great teaching lesson on how sometimes sacrifice is necessary to earn one’s freedom and independence away from a dictatorship. It can also be used as a great historical context since it has to do with the Cuban Revolution and Fidel Castro in the 60s. Middle and high schoolers would enjoy the excitement of what might happen next to the brothers and if they will earn the freedom that they are struggling to fight for. Many students will relate to the conflict of being far from home and having to adapt to brand new environment.
HORN BOOK (2011): “Julian's parents send him and his brothers away from Havana's violence to Miami as part of Operation Pedro Pan. Unfortunately, there the boys are initiated into a culture of bullies and gangs. In this coming-of-age story based on Flores-Galbis's own experiences, readers get an authentic glimpse of the struggles of children living on their own and far from their homeland.”
KIRKUS REVIEWS (2010): “...This autobiographical novel is a well-meaning, fast-paced and often exciting read, though at times the writing feels choppy. It will introduce readers to a not-so-distant period whose echoes are still felt today and inspire admiration for young people who had to be brave despite frightening and lonely odds.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL (2010): “...Reluctant readers might need some help in early chapters, but once Julian's adventure begins in earnest, it's hard to imagine any child putting this book down.”
Other books by Enrique Flores-Galbis:
Flores-Galbis, E. (2007). Raining Sardines. Roaring Brook Press.
Bernier-Grand, C.T., & Diaz, D. (2009). Diego: Bigger Than Life. Amazon Children’s Publishing. ISBN: 9780761453833
Summary: This inspiring free verse biography captures the defining moments and emotions in Diego’s troubled and disruptive life. This biography describes his stormy relationship with artist Frida Kahlo. Read all about Diego’s passion for art.
Analysis: The colors of the pages are rich and vibrant, with a watercolor touch to give it that dreamy quality or flashback like into the life of Diego. The artwork evokes the emotions Diego feels as he goes through his life and discovers his passion for art. The drawings tie into the title of the story of him as the protagonist being “bigger than life” as the art spreads were very large to emphasize that particular point. The autobiography follows his life in a chronological order from his birth to his adult life. Diego’s passion, energy, and thoughts flow very well in the free verse style of the story and sharing his innermost thoughts as he experiences life and growing up. An incredible project idea for students to do their own autobiography by writing free verse poems with drawings about their own life. A great read, good energy and lively artwork.
KIRKUS REVIEWS (2010): “...Done in a South-of-the-Border palette, they are undeniably lovely, but serve to distance readers from the vigorous man speaking in the poems. While this effort is not as sublime as its predecessor, it nevertheless makes a worthwhile, if flawed, companion—rather like the man himself.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL (2009): “...One emerges with a sense of Rivera's genius, devilish personality, and struggles both in relation to accepting financial support from oppressive governments and in his capacity to be, by turns, self-centered or tender with the many women and children in his life. Young people will be surprised and entertained by this accessible, arresting portrait.”
Other books by Carmen Bernier-Grand:
Bernier-Grand, C.T., & Diaz, D. (2012). Picasso: I the King, Yo el Rey. Amazon Children’s Publishing. ISBN: 9780761461777
Bernier-Grand, C.T., & Engel, T. (2012). Our Lady of Guadalupe. Amazon Children’s Publishing. ISBN: 9780761461357
Bernier-Grand, C.T., & Colon, R. (2019). Alicia Alonso: Prima Ballerina. Two Lions. ISBN: 9781477810743
Medina, M. (2014). Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass. Candlewick Press. ISBN: 9780763671648
Summary: In this novel, Piddy, a well-mannered and good student must decide who she really is. When a student she doesn’t know named Yaqui wants to kick her ass. As if this is not bad enough, she must also try to find more about her father that she has never met. Will she survive or run away from all of this?
Analysis: Piddy gets greeted with a message of “Yaqui Delgado wants to kick your ass” which is quite attention grabbing from the start for the reader since the audience along with Piddy would want to know why someone would want to beat up the protagonist. The confusion continues when Piddy notes that she doesn’t even know who Yaqui is, so what has she done to get someone to develop a desire to beat her up? The audience finds out that Yaqui believes that Piddy is stuck-up as she does not match the ideal Latina type, she stands out with her white skin, good grades, and not having an accent which can be an open discussion about the stereotypes in Latin culture that Piddy supposedly doesn’t belong to. The bullying and harassment escalate with no end in sight, the main theme mostly focusing on bullying, but mostly about how Piddy is not saying anything about the bullying. Through the story, she falls in love and continues receiving harassment to the point of being too afraid to leave her house while trying to figure out the identity of her father. A great story to teach children to find their voice and stand up for themselves with interwoven themes of identity, escapism, and body image as well that speaks truly for the voices of adolescents.
HORN BOOK (2014): “...Yaqui may think she’s tough, but it’s Piddy and some of the other female characters, namely Piddy’s mother and her mother’s flamboyant best friend Lila, who make more lasting impressions. Medina’s setting stands out as well…Teens will identify with Piddy’s struggle.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL (2014: “...Perhaps the strongest aspect of this book is the way in which Medina evokes the atmosphere of a loving Latino home. She creates a lively portrait of a single mother and daughter who are trying to survive contemporary urban life with the help of extended "family," including Piddy's mom's best friend, Lila, and a cast of characters at the beauty salon where the girl works part-time. There is a sense that Yaqui's animosity toward Piddy may be because the aspiring vet is not "Latina" enough-she's too white, too educated. One of the story's undercurrents is the notion of what it means to actually be "Latino."
KIRKUS REVIEWS (2012): “A nuanced, heart-wrenching and ultimately empowering story about bullying….Interweaving themes of identity, escapism and body image, Medina takes what could be a didactic morality tale and spins it into something beautiful: a story rich in depth and heart…Far more than just a problem novel, this book sheds light on a serious issue without ever losing sight of its craft.”
Other books by Meg Medina:
Medina, M. (2016). Burn Baby Burn. Candlewick Press. ISBN: 9780763674670
Medina, M. (2012). Girl Who Could Silence the Wind. Candlewick Press. ISBN: 9780763646028
Alvarez, J. (2010). Return to Sender. Random House Publishing Group. ISBN: 9780375851230
Summary: This is a middle school novel that takes place from summer 2005 to summer 2006 in Vermont. In this novel, you will discover a relation between a white American farm boy named Tyler who becomes friends with undocumented immigrants and their families after they are hired when Tyler’s father has an accident. This will later become a problem when conflict starts to rise and so does the law.
Analysis: Tyler is uncomfortable and weary about the fact that his father hired undocumented immigrants to help out at their farm, which displays some hostility and Tyler’s patriotism. He does understand why his parents would hire the workers illegally which shows how he is torn between obeying the law in the states or doing what’s right. His story told in third person maintains a distance from him since there is no insight into personal thoughts, but his inner conflict between the law and what’s best for the two families shows an internal conflict on his character. Mari, a daughter of one of the workers, faces the possibility of being deported back to Mexico and being treated like an outsider in Vermont. Her letters, written in first person, to her mother shows off a deep intimate feeling with Mari as she shares with what is happening in her life. Tyler and Mari soon develop an unlikely friendship despite the circumstances that greatly affect them, which shows that friendship can be developed in the most surprising ways and that sometimes one must think of a higher justice. Two different families connect, beyond borders and regulations and can teach children that friendship goes beyond contrasting backgrounds to create an incredible connection with others.
KIRKUS REVIEWS (2021): “...Unashamedly didactic, Alvarez's novel effectively complicates simple equivalencies between what's illegal and what's wrong. Mari's experience is harrowing, with implied atrocities and immigration raids, but equally full of good people doing the best they can. The two children find hope despite the unhappily realistic conclusions to their troubles, in a story which sees the best in humanity alongside grim realities. Though it lacks nuance, still a must-read.”
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY (2021): “...Some characters and sentiments are over-the-top, but readers will be moved by small moments, as when Tyler sneaks Mari's letter to her imprisoned uncle, watching as the man puts his palm on the glass while Tyler holds up the letter from the other side. A tender, well-constructed book.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL (2021): “...When immigration agents finally raid the farm and imprison both Cruz parents, it signals an end to the "el norte" partnership, but not the human connections. This timely novel, torn right from the newspaper headlines, conveys a positive message of cooperation and understanding.”
Other books by Julia Alvarez:
Alvarez, J. (2020). Afterlife. Algonquin. ISBN: 9781643750255
Alvarez, J. (2018). Before We Were Free. Ember. ISBN: 9780399555497
Acevedo, E. (2018). The Poet X. HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN: 9780062662804
Summary: This is a story about a young girl from Harlem named Xiomara who is pulled into a life where her fists and fierceness do the talking. She must learn to understand and follow her mom’s religion. She wants nothing more than to be heard through her poetry, but will not be accepted by her mom’s religion. She is invited to the school’s slam poetry club, but can’t find a way to attend without her mother finding out. What will she do? Xiomara no longer wants to be silent.
Analysis: An enriching tale of what a teenage girl would do. Questioning her body image, boys, family, religion, and relationships. Xiomara feels oppressed by her mother’s conservatively religious ways such as when she got her first period and tried using a tampon in which her mother scolded her while wondering if she is still a virgin. Her poetry being her only escape of her life can be shared with readers who might also feel oppressed in their lives as well. Her desire to get into the poetry club shows how badly she wanted her voice to be heard and going on her path to becoming comfortable in her own skin. Her self-discovery and figuring out what she believes in is such a beautiful story in such real, honest words. The contrast between what Xiomara wants to say versus what she can say is an incredible way to show internal conflict along her growth as a person. Xiomara’s journey to find her outlet to express herself is amazing and a recommended choice for young readers who also want their voices to be heard.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY (2018): Xiomara pours her innermost self into poems and dreams of competing in poetry slams, a passion she’s certain her conservative Dominican parents will never accept. Debut novelist Acevedo’s free verse gives Xiomara’s coming-of-age story an undeniable pull, its emotionally charged bluntness reflecting her determination and strength. At its heart, this is a complex and sometimes painful exploration of love in its many forms, with Xiomara’s growing love for herself reigning supreme.
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL (2018): “...Forbidden kisses with a crush and an impromptu performance at an open mic prove to be euphoric, affirming moments for Xiomara: “it’s beautiful and real and what I wanted.” Acevedo’s poetry is skillfully and gorgeously crafted, each verse can be savored on its own, but together they create a portrait of a young poet sure to resonate with readers long after the book’s end. VERDICT Truly a “lantern glowing in the dark” for aspiring poets everywhere. All YA collections will want to share and treasure this profoundly moving work.”
Other books by Elizabeth Acevedo:
Acevedo, E. (2020). Clap When You Land. HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN: 9780062882769
Acevedo, E. (2019). With the Fire on High. HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN: 9780062662835
Comments
Post a Comment