Becoming Naomi León

Becoming Naomi León. Pam Muñoz Ryan. New York: Scholastic Inc., 2004. 246 pages. $5.99. ISBN 0-439-26997-0. Grades 4-8. English with some Spanish.

Naomi Soledad León Outlaw has always been more of a mouse then either the lion or outlaw her surnames imply. Despite her struggles speaking up and her self-identification as “nobody special,” she feels love and happiness at home in Avocado Acres Trailer Rancho with her Gram and brother Owen. When her mother returns after seven years to take her away Naomi’s life begins to unravel. In order to preserve their family the Outlaws head to Mexico to find Naomi’s father. While searching for her father Naomi strengthens her voice and finds herself. Pura Belpré and Tomás Rivera Award winner Pam Muñoz Ryan uses acute detail and poignant emotion to turn the unique struggles of the characters in to the reader’s own. She also distinguishes Naomi’s journey from other stories of self realization by incorporating hints of Spanish and rich Mexican culture that readers become immersed in as the novel progresses. Highly Recommended