United States

Materials from United States of America

Look Both Ways In The Barrio Blanco

When Jacinta Juarez is paired with a rich, famous mentor, she is swept away from the diapers and dishes of her own daily life into a world of new experiences. But crossing la linea into Miss’s world is scary. Half of Jacinta aches for the comfort of Mamá and the familiar safety of the barrio, while the other half longs to embrace a future that offers more than cleaning stuff for white people. When her family is torn apart, Jacinta needs to bring the two halves of herself together to win back everything she’s lost.

Maya’s Blanket

“When a little girl’s cherished baby blanket becomes old and worn, it is made into a dress, and over the years it is made into even smaller and smaller items, eventually ending up as a bookmark and inspiring the creation of a book. Includes an author’s note and a glossary.”

Little Chanclas

Lily Lujan is known as Little Chanclas because she wears her chanclas, or flip flops, wherever she goes, especially to parties, so when the chanclas come apart while she is dancing at a family barbecue and Chewcho the bulldog eats one, Lily is inconsolable until Granny Lola arrives with a solution.

¡Vámonos! Let’s Go!

An adaptation of the song “The wheels on the bus,” written in Spanish and English, which follows two children who see and hear a train, a fire truck, an ambulance, and other vehicles on their way to an amusement park. Includes music.

Miracle On 133rd Street

The day before Christmas, everyone in Jose’s neighborhood seems grumpy, including his mother who is homesick for Puerto Rico, but when he and his parents return from the pizzeria where they borrowed an oven to cook their roast, the heavenly aroma reminds those they pass of all they have to celebrate.

Last Stop On Market Street

A young boy rides the bus across town with his grandmother and learns to appreciate the beauty in everyday things.

Join the discussion of Last Stop on Market Street as well as other books centered around relocation on our My Take/Your Take page.

See the review at WOW Review, Volume 8, Issue 3

The Desert is My Mother/El Desierto es Mi Madre

The first bilingual picture book published under the Pinata Books imprint in 1994, Pat Mora’s ode to the desert is finally available in paperback format. The Desert Is My Mother creates a beautiful poetic and artistic rendition of the relationship between people and nature. Rather than being an expanse empty of life and value, the desert is lovingly presented as the provider of comfort, food, spirit, and life.

¡si, Se Puede! / Yes, We Can!: Janitor Strike In L.A.

When Carlitos’ mother and the other janitors go on strike for higher wages, Carlitos cannot think of a way to support his mother until he sees her on TV making a speech, and he then gets his class to help him make a sign to show his pride.