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Soledad’s friends help her discover the many things that she can do to entertain herself when she is alone in her apartment.
Soledad’s friends help her discover the many things that she can do to entertain herself when she is alone in her apartment.
Isabel visits her aunts on Saturdays. They dance, dress up, and make empanadas.
A little girl tells how her grandmother makes special teas and warm drinks for her and her little brother when they are not feeling well.
See the review at WOW Review, Volume 3, Issue 2
From the author of Family Pictures/Cuadros de familia comes a second book that returns readers once again to the town of Kingsville, Texas, near the border with Mexico. Through ful-color paintings and warm personal stories, Garza brings to life more loving memories of growing up in a traditional Mexican American community.
Mamá always sighs, “Muy, muy chica,” every time Lupita tries to help out at the restaurant that Mamá runs all by herself. But when push comes to shove–or when Grabb comes to swipe–everyone in this exciting tale discovers that, although Lupita may be too little for some tasks, she is big enough for others.
In this delightful sequel to “Carlos y la Planta de Calabaza”, Carlos is told by his father that “you reap what you sow”. After some humorous experiences, Carlos comes to understand the rewards of hard work and learns a valuable lesson in listening. Full color.
See the review at WOW Review, Volume 8, Issue 4
Hector A. Torres conducted these interviews with today’s popular Chicano/a writers, asking each about language and life between languages, about the creative drive that has guided them in their craft and commits them to their art. In sharing their responses, Torres reveals a brief biography of each author and a concise examination of their writings. Taking their stories and essays individually and collectively, Torres explains how each author reiterates issues that have concerned Mexican Americans since at least 1848. Chicano/a authors know that an abundance of politics can spoil a story, as can too little. The writers included here span historical terrain, first, under the shadow of Manifest Destiny and, then, under the America’s imperial sovereignty stance. Interviewees include Rolando Hinojosa (“I Reflect the Way Valleyites Act and React”), Arturo Islas (“I Don’t Like Labels and Categories”), Erlinda Gonzales-Berry (“On the New Mexican Borderlands”), Gloria Anzaldúa (“The Author Never Existed”), Ana Castillo (two separate interviews), Sandra Cisneros (two separate interviews), Pat Mora (“I Was Always at Home in Language”), Richard Rodriguez (“I Don’t Think I Exist”), Demetria Martinez (“To Speak as Global Citizens”), and Kathleen Alcalá (“To Tell the Counternarratives”).
THESE STORIES TAKE the reader to meet mochos; cholos; Mr. and Mrs. Special; Manny with his mysterious phone calls; Melly, who dreams of being the first girl to take the Dive; Andy and Ruthie, who find that being “boyfriend-girlfriend” takes on new meaning the night of the prom; and Chuy, who seems determined to get kicked out of school. Each distinct voice shares secret thoughts that draw the reader into daily dramas of love, danger, loyalty, and pride. In the final story, a shocking tragedy reverberates through the barrio.“With this collection, Saldaña makes a significant contribution to the field of Latino short stories for young readers.”—VOYA, Starred“These powerfully written, provocative selections have universal appeal and subtle, thoughtful themes.”—School Library Journal“While much is revealed, just as much is implied, making the stories layered and rich while still rendering them accessible.”—The BulletinFrom the Hardcover edition.
Sadie, an imaginative young Dominican American, relates her experiences growing up in her grandmother’s brownstone house in Harlem.