Return to Sender

Return to Sender. Julia Alvarex. Random House, Inc., Listening Library, 2010. 6 discs/7 hrs., 33 mins.  $39.00 (Audiobook - CD). Grade 5-8. English with some Spanish.

Tyler would rather do anything than allow his family to sell their dairy farm in Vermont, but after his dad’s debilitating tractor accident there seems to be few alternatives.  Mari Cruz wants nothing more than her mother to return to their family, but when her uncles, dad, and sisters leave North Carolina to work in Vermont, her mother’s trip from Mexico gets much longer.  Little did these two children know that they would soon be each other’s heroes and best friends. Award winning author Julia Alvarez has written an emotional story of friendship and family amidst the challenges of immigration and migrant work in the United States. Important concepts of deportation, immigration, and patriotism are all introduced in this narrative and additional author’s note. Although relevant and informative, the audio recording of Return to Sender, read by Ozzie Rodriquez and Olivia Preciado, moves slowly and requires more time than reading the text would. Recommended with Reservations.  

Mediopollito/Half-Chicken

Mediopollito/Half-Chicken. Alma Flor Ada. Illus. by Kim Howard. New York: Delacorte Press, 1995. 37 pages. $15.95 (Hardback). ISBN 0-385-32044-2. Grades K- 3. Bilingual.

Do you know why there are roosters on weather vanes? You will after reading this traditional Mexican folktale retold by Alma Flor Ada. Mediopollito, or Half-Chicken, was born with only one leg, one wing, one eye, and half of the feathers as other chicks. Rather than shun this unique animal, everyone was in awe of him. Mediopollito liked this and went to show himself to the Mexican viceroy. On the way he helped water, fire, and wind; and these new friendships were responsible for saving his life and for the rooster on the weather vane. This traditional, yet silly tale is enriched by the bright, two-dimensional illustrations of Kim Howard. The pictures give the farm animals, town’s people, and elements new life and will draw readers in. This bilingual story also encourages the sharing of the tale in two languages, making it a great addition to a bilingual collection. Recommended.

Little Night

Little Night. Yuyi Morales. Illus. by Yuyi Morales. New Milford: Roaring Book Press, 2007. 30 pages. $16.95 (Hardcover). ISBN 1-59643-088-5. Grades Pre K-2. English. .

At the end of the day when most parents are getting their children ready for bed, Mother Sky is getting her daughter Little Night ready to rise and shine.  Little Night is not ready to come out from her hiding places and fill the sky just yet, however. While Mother Sky fills a tub with falling stars, find a dress crocheted from clouds, and prepares a glass of the Milky Way’s creamiest stars Little Night hides in the blueberry fields and behind the hills. Pura Belpré Award winner Yuyi Morales introduces magical realism in this story full of celestial imagery, playtime, and mother-daughter bonding. The rich illustrations in pinks, purples, reds, and browns set a dreamy, sleepy scene. While Little Night is winding up, readers will surely find their eyes heavy with sleep. Little Night is a magical bedtime story to be enjoyed by children and parents alike. Recommended.

Rainbow Boys

Rainbow Boys. Alex Sanchez. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2001. 246 pages. $17.00 (Hardcover). ISBN 0-689-84100-0. Grades 10-12. English.

Nelson Glassman is known for his dramatic hair styles, painted fingernails, body jewelry, and for being gay. Kyle Meeks is Nelson’s best friend, who is known for his black baseball cap and being a swimmer, but not his homosexuality. Jason Carrillo is a popular jock with a steady girlfriend, but a secret attraction to boys. One Saturday meeting of a Rainbow Youth club started the beginning of a long journey for these three boys. As all become friends, romantic feelings appear that threaten friendships and social norms. Together these boys encounter homophobia, violence, fear, and even HIV. Alex Sanchez addresses issues faced by teenagers coming out and living in a homophobic world. Tolerance and acceptance are found throughout this book, making it a must read for more than just GLBTQ teens. Additional resources are offered in the back relating to issues and topics in the text. Highly Recommended.

Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book

Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book. Yuyi Morales. Illus. by Yuyi Morales. San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2003. 32 pages. $15.99 (Hardcover). ISBN 0-8118-3758-0. Grades K-3. English with some Spanish.

It’s time for Grandma Beetle’s birthday party, but an unexpected guest, Señor Calavera, arrives with different plans. This very skinny, though polite depiction of death insists Grandma Beetle go with him. Unfortunately for Señor Calavera, Grandma Beetle is very busy, but is willing to go in “just a minute.” Just a minute actually turns in to ten brightly illustrated tasks that depict the rich Latino culture of both award winning author illustrator Yuyi Morales and Grandma Beetle. Readers can practice counting from one to ten in English and Spanish as Grandma Beetle makes tortillas, stuffs piñatas, brews tea, and welcomes her grandchildren. Señor Calavera has such a blast he leaves looking forward to next year’s party. Both the text and detailed illustrations enrich reader’s minds, introducing culture, tradition, and numbers. This recipient of the Pura Belpré, Américas, and Tomás Rivera Book Awards is an excellent addition to any collection. Highly Recommended.

The House on Mango Street

The House on Mango Street. Sandra Cisneros. New York: Vintage Books, 1991. 110 pages. $9.95 (Paperback). ISBN 0-679-73477-5. Grades 9-12. English with some Spanish.

“You just remember to keep writing, Esperanza. You must keep writing. It will keep you free.” Esperanza is only in seventh grade, but she is living a life beyond her years. In order to deal with her family’s new neighborhood and house on Mango Street, growing up, and the world around her Esperanza writes. Award winning poet Sandra Cisneros portrays the inner thoughts, observations and struggles of young Esperanza in a series of vignettes. Readers are privy to Esperanza’s internal struggles with friends, family, abuse, sex, and trying to free herself from the prison she knows as Mango Street. The flowing, poetic voices of the vignettes make the story easy to read and get absorbed in; while the complexity of Esperanza’s world will have readers examining every detail. The House on Mango Street is an excellent depiction of growing up, being different and coming in to one’s own. Highly Recommended.   

The God Box

The God Box. Alex Sanchez. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2007. 278 pages. $16.99 (Hardcover). ISBN 978-1-4169-0899-9. Grades 7-12. English with some Spanish.

“Dear Lord, please take away these feelings, you know which ones.” From the outside ‘Paul’ is a typical high school senior in his conservative Texas town. He is active in his school’s Bible club, makes great grades, and has a serious girlfriend.  On the inside, however, Pablo is not as well collected. He has been combating feelings of attraction for other boys since he hit puberty. Due to the conflict with his religion, Paul has continuously fought these feelings, prayed for their removal, and continued living his ‘normal’ life. When Manuel, an openly homosexual and Christian students transfers to Paul’s school red flags are raised. Manuel uses his faith, charisma, and bravery to change Paul and the town’s way of thinking. Alex Sanchez has produced a must read novel that celebrates being true to yourself. This book addresses common anti-gay attitudes and arguments in an engaging and effective way. Highly Recommended.