Hispanic/Latino(a) Literature

poetry



Bibliography
Mora, Pat. 1996. Confetti: Poems for children. Illus. Sanchez, Enrique O. New York: Lee and Low Books. ISBN 978-1-880000-85-4




Plot summary
A collection of thirteen free verse poems for children. The poems celebrate the beauty of nature and the Mexican American culture in the southwestern United States.

Critical analysis
Like confetti, the poems are light and colorful, full of life and joy. The words seem to float in the air and gently come down as the poems are read aloud. The poems are free verse but some of them have a rhythm all their own and other poems have repetitive lines which make them great to read aloud and children will love listening to them. The narrator of the poems is a little Mexican American girl who is enjoying nature, her culture and the people in her life.

Each poem in this collection is accompanied by a brightly colored illustration done in acrylic on paper. The illustrations provide a beautiful, vibrant visual of each poem. Most of the illustrations have the narrator of the poems, a little girl, who is drawn with common Latino features, dark hair and brown skin. The illustrations also depict the people, animals, objects, colors and places that the poems are about. One poem “River Voice” is about a river that flows in the desert. A few other illustrations are also set in the Southwest desert with saguaro cactus and cliffs. The people in the poems are illustrated with diverse skin tone and hair color and clothing.

There is a sprinkling of Spanish throughout the poems although not every poem has a Spanish word in it. A glossary of Spanish terms used in the poems is provided at the end of the books but is not really necessary because the illustrations and context helps readers know their meaning. Elements of the Mexican American culture are throughout the poems and illustrations. One poem “Purple Snake” is about the colorful wooden animals carved out of wood, alebrijes, that are made by Don Luis. Alebrijes are brightly colored Mexican folk art sculptures of animals that are usually carved out of copal wood. Another poem is aptly titled “Mexican Magician” which is about a baker who makes sweet breads, marranitos, which are pig shaped cookies made with gingerbread and empanadas, which are turnovers filled with pineapple and pumpkin. The poem “I Hear, I Hear” mentions the Tarahumaras, a group of Native Americans indigenous to northern Mexico and the illustration on the corresponding page had a couple of people drawn with authentic clothing and items of corn, drums and tortillas. The poem “Dancing Paper” is about colored paper, papel picado (perforated paper), cascarones (confetti eggs), serpentinas (paper coils) and piñatas which are some other cultural markers that are most commonly associated with Mexico.

The poem “Words Free as Confetti” describes words using all the senses and colors. This poem is the twelfth poem but it should have been placed as either the first or last poem. All the poems in this collection use words which awaken the senses and are colorful like confetti.

Awards
2004 Arizona Governor’s Book Award
1996 Notable Books for a Global Society from the International Reading Association
1996 CCBC Choices (Cooperative Children’s Book Center)
Américas Commended List, 1996

Review excerpts
MultiCultural Review v. 6 (June 1997) p. 92
"{The} poems in this collection are reminiscent of confetti because of their light, fun appeal, which will engage children immediately. The book will do well in primary classrooms where teachers can use it for reading aloud. The author has chosen the sun, clouds, leaves, and wind as topics for many of the poems. Four of the other poems use people as the anchors for telling stories about a magical baker, a wood sculptor, a grandmother's lap, and the sounds of life in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. . . . The only drawback to this poetry book is that it is written in English with a few Spanish words sprinkled here and there. It is a shame that a bilingual format was not attempted since over half of the poems have a Hispanic theme and the children are clearly Hispanic." González-Jensen, Margarita, reviewer

Booklist v. 93 (November 15 1996) p. 592
"Using Spanish and English, this collection of poems is as much fun to look at as it is to read. In 'Colors Crackle, Colors Roar,' Mora writes, 'Gris whis-whis-whispers its kitten whispers' and 'azul coo-coo-coo like pajaritos do.' In 'Purple Snake,' a wood-carver with rough and wrinkled hands tells a young onlooker that animals are 'asleep in a piece of wood'—until he releases them by carving them out. Featuring an assortment of subjects, these short poems incorporate varying amounts of Spanish into the English text. Sanchez's illustrations . . . are full of color and provide youngsters with strong links to the subjects and activities in the poems. A good choice for choral reading or for reading aloud." Morgan, Karen, reviewer

Connections
Get some colorful confetti and throw it in the air as you read the poem “Word Free as Confetti”

Find some albrijas to show children and let look at them, touch and feel them.

Get some marranitos and empandas for children to taste.

Other poetry books by Pat Mora
Mora, Pat. Yum! mmmm! qué rico!: Americas' sproutings.Illus. López, Rafael. New York: Lee & Low Books Inc., 2007.

Mora, Pat. 1995. The Desert is my Mother: El desierto es mi madre. Illus. Lechon, Daniel. Piñata Books. ISBN 1-55885-121-6

http://www.patmora.com/


Picture Book





Bibliography
Morales, Yuyi. 2008. Just in Case: ATrickster Tale and Spanish Alphabet Book. New York: Roaring Book Press. ISBN 1-59643-329-9






Plot summary
This book is a companion book to “Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book” by Yuyi Morales. Señor Calavera is a Grim Reaper like character, who had paid a visit to Grandma Beetle on her birthday but she kept asking him to wait for her for “Just a minute” as she finished her preparations for her party. He had so much fun at her party that he granted her another year of life so that he could attend her next birthday party.

In the book “Just in Case” the time has come for Grandma Beetle to celebrate another birthday and Señor Calavera is excited to attend the party because he had a blast at her last celebration. As he is riding his bike on the way to her party, Zelmiro the Ghost appears and asks if Señor Calavera is taking the best present “Grandma Beetle would love the most” and asks him to look again “Just in case…”. Señor Calavera goes through the entire alphabet choosing presents that Grandma Beetle would love, while Zelmiro keeps asking him to look again and again, “Just in Case…”. After an unfortunate crash, Señor Calavera finally makes it to Grandma Beetle’s party with the most important present she would love the best, Grandpa Zelmiro.

Critical analysis
This is an interlingual alphabet concept book. The text is written in English with one word in Spanish for every letter of the alphabet, including the Spanish letters, ch, ll, and ñ. Some of the gifts Señor Calavera gathers for Grandma Beetle are unusual and unique such as “Bigotes. A mustache because she had none.” and “Niebla. Fog, to play hide-and-seek in.” A few of the items he gathers are authentic to the Mexican culture such as “una Lotería” a lottery bingo like game, “quince años” (fifteen years which is a reference to a debutante ball given to girls at the age of fifteen ) and a xilografía (a piece of wood engraved art which is illustrated with a Lucha Libre wrestler.)

A skeleton that represents death and a ghost might seem like scary characters for a children’s book, but there is nothing scary in this delightful story. Señor Calavera is a colorful, lively character illustrated as a skeleton ready for Día de los Muertos. Señor Calavera’s skull is decorated with pink and blue outlines around his teeth, flowers as the irises of his eyes, purple eyebrows, yellow dotted eyelashes and dots sprinkled around his nose. He wears a fedora hat and tie. He also rides a bike for transportation. His facial expressions display his emotions of happiness, sadness, frustration and worry as he gathers gifts for Grandma Beetle. Zelmiro the ghost is illustrated as chubby grandfather, who floats in the air and is slightly transparent in the shades of the background color of each layout.

Día de los Muertos/Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday celebrated on November 1 and 2 celebrating the lives of departed loved ones by decorating graves, skulls and skeletons with colorful designs, clothing, flowers and food. It is believed that the souls of the departed come back to Earth to join loved ones and celebrate on those days. The brightly colored, costumed skeletons symbolize an acceptance that death is part of the life cycle and in some ways pokes fun of it. Part of the title of the book is “A Trickster Tale” and Señor Calavera is the one getting tricked. Zelmiro has tricked him into allowing him to return to Earth to celebrate with his wife on her birthday.

The illustrations portray the Latino culture in many ways. Grandma Beetle and Zelmiro are drawn with brown skin as well as the nine grandchildren. The nine grandchildren all have different shades of brown hair and skin tone. The first and last pages of the book are pictures of Lotería cards with Spanish words. Some objects are simple objects like a doll, guitar and star, others are in reference to the Mexican culture, such as “La Artista” which is a drawing of Frida Kahlo, a famous Mexican artist, “El guarache” a Mexcian sandal, “El Metate” a grinding stone to grind seed and grains, and brightly colored wooden toys painted in colors typically associated with Mexico, green, white and red (in reference to the Mexican flag) and bright colors of red, orange, green and yellow.

While the book “Just in Case” can stand on its own, the story line will be enhanced if “Just a Minute” is read before it. The stories are not about Día de los Muertos but a little background knowledge on the Mexican holiday will also help in a thorough understanding of both stories.

Awards
2009 Pura Belpé Illustrator Award

Review Excerpts
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books v. 62 no. 4 (December 2008) p. 164
"Morales' alphabetic litany is intriguing, . . . and her precise and conversational text is perfect for reading aloud. The patterns and repetitions in this original trickster tale also give it a strong folkloric grounding. Her magical realistic paintings call to mind Mexican folk art with their layered rich colors, ethereal supernatural beings, and small decorative details. Señor Calavera is a charming hero, with his cheerfully decorated skull, stripy tie, and jaunty fedora. . . . Especially useful for Spanish teachers or those wishing to incorporate Mexican culture into the classroom, this is also a gleefully macabre joy in its own right." Hulick, Jeannette

The Horn Book v. 85 no. 1 (January/February 2009) p. 81-2
"Morales's full-bleed art, in brilliant sunset hues, portrays an amiable, dreamlike world where weightless, comfortably rounded figures swirl joyously among the creative assemblage of gifts. Whether Grandma gets another ‘Quince años’ or, as the sparkles in her hair suggest, joins her Zelmiro sooner, it will be a happy outcome. What a beguiling (and bilingual) offering!" Long, Joanna Rudge

Connections
Companion book
Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book by Yuyi Morales

Morales, Yuyi. 2003. Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book. California: Chronicle Books LLC. ISBN: 0811837580

http://www.yuyimorales.com/

Books about Día de los Muertos

Ancona,George. 1993. Pablo remembers:the fiesta of the day of the dead. New York, NY: HarperCollins. ISBN 9780688112493

Johnston, Tony. 2000. Day of the Dead.illus. Winter, Jeanette. Sandpiper. ISBN 0152024468

Winter, Jeanette. 2006. Calavera Abecedario: A Day of the Dead Alphabet Book. Sandpiper. ISBN 0152059067


Novel




Bibliography
Soto, Gary.1997. Buried onions. San Diego,Calif.:Harcourt Brace.ISBN 0-15-206265-3







Plot summary
Eddie grew up and lives in the barrios of Fresno, California. Life is hard for Eddie. He is nineteen years old and trying to stay out of trouble and make a living for himself but bad luck seems to follow him around. He has dropped out of college and is trying to find work but jobs are elusive so he has resorted to painting addresses on curbs and doing yard work in middle class neighborhoods in Fresno. His family and some of his friends are trying to pull Eddie into a life he does not desire. His aunt and friend Angel want him to avenge the death of his cousin, who was killed at a club. He always has to watch his back and is paranoid about getting jumped. There were very few people in Eddie's life that he can trust. He doesn’t have many good role models in this life. A friend who has joined the Marines, José, comes to visit and Eddie begins to see the military as his only way out of the barrio. He searches within himself and seeks the advice from Coach, an ex-gang banger and Vietnam vet who runs the community recreation center. Coach asked Eddie if he has considered joining the military. After a bad incident with some guys he had once considered friends he decides to join the navy.

Critical analysis
This is a sad story about a young man trying to live a good life but the hardships of the barrio keep pulling him down. Eddie imagines that there must be a giant onion buried underneath the city and the vapors it releases during the relentless summer heat causes the residents of Fresno to cry about the sadness in their lives. The onion metaphor is prevalent throughout the story. Onions and onion like bulbs appear in Eddie’s life just before bad things happen to him.

Soto writing style is filled with metaphors and similes to describe a Mexican American barrio with authenticity and accuracy. He describes the house and neighborhood where Eddie lives “where fences sagged and the paint blistered on houses.” and “Laundry wept from the lines, the faded flags of poor, ignorant, unemployable people.” The characters of the young men and boys are cholos(male gang members) who dress in Dickies cut off at the knees and white t-shirts with a gold chain and crucifix around their necks. Eddie and his friends call each other "homes and homies". Eddie’s only mentor has “a swirl of tattoos running up both arms.” Eddie's aunt leaves him tortillas wrapped in a dish towel as a bribe to get him to avenge his cousins murder.

Spanish terms are used throughout the story, in the dialogue of the characters and thoughts of the narrator. The characters code-switch, mixing Spanish and English while speaking. For example "He turned out puro malo." Family members are referred in Spanish such as mi'jo, tía, nina and primo. Also, some of the words used are terms commonly associated with someone who has lived in the barrio such as carnal, vatos locos, cholos and ruca. A Spanish glossary is provided at the end of the book with the words and phrases used in the story.

Eddie's story is not happpy one nor one filled with much hope. He is not happy about joining the military, he sees it as his only way out of a hopeless situation. Some people may think this story stereotypes Mexican Americans as gangsters, but it is an authentic experience and way of life in some communties for Mexican Americans. Soto gives a voice to a segment of the Mexican American community that really didn't have one before. It is a harsh reality and a story worth telling.

Honors
An ALA Best Book for Young Adults
An ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
A New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age

Review excerpts
School Library Journal v. 44 no. 1 (January 1998) p. 114
"Soto's writing is apt; he provides readers with strong images through the eyes and voice of Eddie. The young man frequently describes his surroundings, 'I returned to my apartment, which was in a part of Fresno where fences sagged and the paint blistered on houses. . . . Laundry wept from the lines, the faded flags of poor, ignorant, unemployable people.' Additionally, the author stirs more senses with his descriptions of smells and sounds. The only drawback to the story is that it is somewhat repetitious. Characters are introduced, then reenter the story with repeated delineation. Still, Soto's descriptions are poetic, and he creates deep feelings of heat and despair. A powerful and thought-provoking read." Hopf, Mary M., reviewer

Booklist v. 94 (November 15 1997) p. 554
"Soto's clear, finely honed poet's voice shines in this tale of barrio life in Fresno, California. . . . The broad and easy humor of Crazy Weekend (1994) is lacking here, but Eddie's wry observations in the face of his many predicaments provide welcome relief. Although the coach at the neighborhood playground offers Eddie material assistance and moral support, there is no upbeat ending. The 'buried onions,' which Eddie imagines as the underground source for the world's tears, pervade the tone and plot, but the unvarnished depiction of depressed and depressing barrio life is as important as the positive images of Latinos Soto has created in his other works." Carton, Debbie, reviewer

Connections
Other books by Gary Soto
Baseball in April and Other Stories
Nerdlandia
The Afterlife
Taking Sides

African-American Literature

Picture book



Bibliography
McKissak, Patricia C. 2001. Goin' Someplace Special. Ill. by Jerry Pinkney. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0689808858





Plot summary
This story takes place during the 1950s in an unspecified city in the South. Tricia Ann asks for permission to “Go Someplace Special" and her grandmother, Mama Frances, reluctantly agrees to let her go. Tricia Anne sets out on her solo trip and notices all the racism she has to endure on her way to “Someplace Special.” She has to sit in the back of the bus, she can’t sit on certain benches or eat at certain restaurants or even enter the lobby of a hotel. She gets discouraged and wants to go home but with the help of Blooming Mary she remembers what her grandmother has told her. She finally makes it to her special place where all are welcome, a place that Mama Frances calls "a doorway to freedom", the public library.

The author’s note at the end of the book tells the reader the story is based on events that happened in her own life when she was growing up in 1950s in Nashville Tennessee. Jim Crow laws were local and state laws which segregated whites from blacks in restaurants, drinking fountains, restrooms, benches and seats on the bus. McKissack experienced this racial segregation while growing up.She also got to experience integration when Nashville’s public library board voted to integrate the library.

Critical Analysis
The story and illustrations vividly portray the lives of African Americans during the 1950’s and the racial segregation they had to endure. McKissack wrote about the effects of legal discrimination as well as the hope and pride African Americans had despite the racism. Mama Frances tell Tricia Ann to “hold yo’ head up and act like you b’long to somebody.” Mrs. Grannell also tells her “Carry yo’self proud” after Tricia Ann questions the unfairness of Jim Crow laws. And the street vendor Jimmy Lee tells her “Don’t let those signs steal yo’ happiness.”

The illustrations by Jerry Pinkney are done in pencil and watercolor. Pinkney earned the Coretta Scott King award for illustrators in 2002 for this book. His illustrations authentically depict the setting and African American characters of the story. Tricia Ann, who is full of hope, wears a brightly colored dress and her character stands out amongst all the others in all the different places she goes. The time period is accurately reflected in the fashion, vehicles and buildings as well as the display of Jim Crow signs. The characters are drawn and painted showing a diversity of African American hairstyles, skin color and clothing of the time and setting.

Awards
Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award 2002

Review Excerpts
MultiCultural Review v. 11 no. 1 (March 2002) p. 101
"Jerry Pinkney's rich, detailed watercolors complement well McKissack's poignant story, based on her own experiences. Used as a read aloud for primary students or as a device to spark a discussion for young adults, this moving story will lead readers to the doorway of freedom." Crump-Stenberg, Linda

The Horn Book v. 77 no. 6 (November/December 2001) p. 736-7
"McKissack and Pinkney strike just the right balance in a picture book for young readers and listeners: informative without being preachy; hopeful without being sentimental."-Robin Smith

Connections
Read other picture books by Patricia Mckissak and Jerry Pinkney

McKissak, Patricia. 1997. Mirandy and Brother Wind. Ill. Jerry Pinkney. Dragonfly Books. ISBN 0679883339

Read books about Ruby Bridges, Rosa Parks, and Martin Luther King Jr.

Research Jim Crow laws and write or discuss the injustices that African Americans had to endure during that time period.


Poetry




Bibliography
Myers, Walter Dean. 2009. Amiri & Odette: A Love Story.Ill by Javaka Steptoe. New York:Scholastic Press.ISBN 0590680412








Plot summary
This is a modern retelling of the Swan Lake ballet told in verse using African Americans as the main characters and housing projects as the setting. The story has four acts like the ballet.

The first act: Amiri lives in the Swan Lake projects. He is a good young man and his mama wants him to "get settled in a life that's straight,/ with a wife and family, before it's too late!" She decides to throw him a party so he can meet some respectable girls. Act 2: The day before the party, Amiri meets Odette on the basketball courts and immediately falls in love with her. But she is promised to another, Big Red, a local crack dealer. Act 3:It is the night of the party and Amiri anxiously awaits the arrival of Odette. Big Red sends a girl in a black swan mask to fool Amiri into thinking she is Odette. Amiri is fooled and pledges his love to her. Meanwhile Odette arrives late to the party and see Amiri with another girl and runs off crying. Act 4: Amiri chases after Odette and pledges his love to her. Odette forgives him and pledges her love to him. Big Red comes along to claim Odette and he and Amiri fight. A wounded Big Red leaves. Amiri and Odette embrace and are together at last.

Critical Analysis
This book fits several classifications. It is a picture book, it is poetry and the story is written for young adults. The topic is a love story between two teenagers, told through verse with phenomenal illustrations to help move the story.

"They Danced....
Amiri and Odette,
A dance for two, two dance as one,
Two bodies rising toward the sun
O sing, O sing, O sing
of brave Amiri and beautiful Odette,
of a time when love and evil met,
Then through the haze of simmer/summer days"

This urban retelling of the Swan Lake ballet through verse is short but powerful. The lyrical text moves through four acts telling the love story of Amiri and Odette. This version reflects the themes of family, true love and the consequences of drug abuse. The setting was changed to a tenament housing development, The Swan Lake Projects. The characters are African American, the prince is Amiri, the swan Odette and the evil socerer Rothbart is Big Red, a crack dealer. The curse Odette suffers from is drug addiction. Images of swans and references to dance are woven in the text and illustrations. The black swan that tricks the prince in the ballet is a girl sent by Big Red wearing a black swan mask to Amiri's party. Odette tells Big Red "That this day/a dying swan chose/ LOVE/as her only way!" It is a classic story of love conquering evil told to the urban beat of hip hop and rap.

The paintings by Javaka Steptoe are incredible. They are done in acrylic paint on slabs of asphalt along with pieces of candy wrappers, jewelry, newspaper and plastic bags and feathers. The asphalt gives it that gritty inner city feel of graffiti art and murals on sides of buildings and concrete.

Review Excerpts
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books v. 62 no. 5 (January 2009) p. 211-12
"Myers' knotty and alliterative language has some of [ballet's] lush and studied elegance. The poetry is variable, however. . . . Steptoe's illustrations are tense, moody, and nocturnal, with an intensity and pebbly underlying texture that suggests mural art. Between the darkness and some artistic choices, the art misses opportunities to illuminate the text (the Odette/ Odette's-double issue is particularly murky in both illustration and verse), but it's got a nice sense of nighttime life and atmospheric drama. Dramatic reading aloud may be the best way into this narrative, and it could certainly make for an intriguing introduction to the classical Swan Lake."- Stevenson, Deborah

School Library Journal v. 55 no. 1 (January 2009) p. 114
“Myers's verse is almost overwrought-as it should be to suit the story, and the intensity of teenage love. The melodrama combines with an energy and beat that-heightened by dynamic text design-makes this ideal for performance. Steptoe's collage-on-cinderblock illustrations have a roughness, darkness, and density that suit the tone. This selection will broaden any teen collection.”-Nina Lindsay

Connections
Read the story aloud to feel and hear the rhythm of the hip hop language used to tell the story.

Watch a video of the ballet “Swan Lake”

Read other books by Walter Dean Myers
Myers, Walter Dean . 2001. Monster. New York. Amistad. ISBN 0064407314

Myers, Walter Dean. 2007. Street Love. New York. Amistad. ISBN 9780064407328

Myers, Walter Dean. 2010. Lockdown. New York: HarperTeen/Amistad.
ISBN: 9780061214806


Novel





Bibliography
Johnson, Angela. 1998. Heaven. New York: Simon and Schuster. ISBN 9780689822292








Plot summary
Marley lives with her Momma, Pops and brother Butchy in Heaven, Ohio. It is 1996 and she is fourteen years old. She regularly wires money by Western Union to her wandering Uncle and receives letters from him about his travels. Marley has a nice life with a good family until she finds out about her past and who the people in her family really are. Slowly she comes to terms with who they really are and what family really means to her.

Critical Analysis
The theme of families, extended family, loyalty and obligations are presented in this touching story about a young girl who finds out what family really means to her. In 1996 there were several churches burned in African American communities in the South that were reminiscent of church burnings from the 1960s. A church burning in Alabama serves as the catalyst for bringing the truth about Marley’s family to light. Marley discovers that her biological mother was killed in a car accident and that the uncle who has been writing letters to her since she was a baby is really her father. Marley struggles with feelings of deception and the loss of trust. Her family calmly waits for her to accept her past and present. Her friends Shoogy and Bobby are there for her as she works through her feelings about her family.

This is a tender story of a young African American girl but had it not been for the cover picture, it could easily be the story of a girl from any American culture. Other than the reference to church burnings and the historical racist reasons behind those burnings, there are not many references to the race or ethnicity of the characters. The cultural markers in the story are subtle, Bobby's brown legs covered in paint, a couple of reference to hip hop and rap music, the scars on Shoogys brown skin, a boy who called Shoogy "Black girl with violet eyes". This is a story about family and friendship, it is a story that could fit in any culture.

Awards
Coretta Scott King author award 1999

Review Excerpts
Booklist v. 95 no. 2 (September 15 1998) p. 219
"The paradise setup is too idyllic, and in the anguish of Marley's discovery and upheaval, everyone is absolutely perfectly supportive and understanding. And Marley's real dad comes home at last. What saves this from being generic Hallmark is Johnson's plain, lyrical writing about the people in Marley's life. Everyone has secrets. There are all kinds of loving families. . . . In fact, the most troubled family is the 'perfect' nuclear one of Marley's best friend, who needs as much support as Marley does. On the news, they hear about people burning churches, but Johnson makes us see the power of loving-kindness."- Rochman, Hazel

School Library Journal v. 44 no. 10 (October 1998) p. 136
"In spare, often poetic prose reminiscent of Patricia MacLachlan's work, Johnson relates Marley's insightful quest into what makes a family. . . . The various examples of 'family' Marley encounters make her question what's real, what's true, what makes sense, and if any of that really matters as much as the love she continues to feel for her parents in spite of their seeming betrayal. Johnson exhibits admirable stylistic control over Marley's struggle to understand a concept that is often impossible to understand or even to define."- Bindner, Linda

Connections
Heaven trilogy by Angela Johnson

Johnson, Angela. 2003. The First Part Last. New York: Simon and Schuster. ISBN 9780689849237

Johnson, Angela. 1998. Heaven. New York: Simon and Schuster. ISBN 9780689822292

Johnson, Angela. 2010. Sweet, Hereafter. New York: Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-0689873867

Students can write and or discuss what family means and describe people who make up their own families.

International Literature

poetry-2011 USBBY Outstanding International Books list





Bibliographic data
Argueta, Jorge. 2010. Arroz con leche: Un poema para cocinar/Rice Pudding: A Cooking Poem. Ill. Fernando Vilela. Toronto, Ontario: Groundwood Books; Bilingual edition. ISBN-10: 088899981X








Plot summary
A poem about cooking rice pudding told through the voice of a young boy who loves all kind of rice but loves rice pudding best of all. The poem is written in both English and Spanish.

Critical analysis
Arroz con leche is a traditional Latino rice pudding made with milk, sugar and cinnamon. Jorge Argueta who is from El Salvador, has written a delightful “Cooking Poem” about this yummy dish. The poem is written in both Spanish and English. The poem does not lose any of its sweetness in either language because Argueta uses imagery that awakens all five senses. “There is magic in the kitchen” as the process of cooking rice pudding is described as compared to nature and music. “In the kitchen the rice is singing” as it is sprinkled into the pot. “The flames heating the pot /are rainbow hands” and sugar and salt become “Salt stars and sugar snow”.

While a traditional step by step recipe with a list of ingredients, measurements and time would be beneficial for some readers I think that its absence gives readers a chance to make the dish their own by allowing them to make the rice pudding by envisioning it as the narrator does. It reminds me how my abuelita would tell me how to cook a dish when I would ask her for a recipe. There was never an actual written recipe just the knowledge and experience of cooking for so many years that had been passed down from one generation to the next. She too would describe the recipe using analogies and the senses that helped guide her cooking.

The illustrations by Fernando Vilela, who is from Brazil, are done in black ink outlines, earth tone colors and white. The white brings out the ingredients as described in the poem, white raindrops of rice, a waterfall of milk, and salt stars and sugar snow. The boy and his family are drawn with Latino features, brown skin and black hair. The illustrations show the joy the boy has in making his favorite food as his mother lovingly watches and supervises him. Argueta made sure to place an asterisk in the text by parts where adult supervision is needed for children who want to make the rice pudding themselves. The “ribbons” of steam and aroma engulf the home and family in all its sweetness and love.

This “Cooking Poem “about arroz con leche is a delicious treat for the eyes, ears and mouth.

Awards
2011 USBBY Outstanding International Books
2011-2012 Tejas Star Book Award

Review excerpts
Booklist v. 107 no. 5 (November 1 2010) p. 53
“A lyrical, lovely bilingual ode to rice pudding? Well, lovers of that creamy confection won't be surprised at the emotion it engenders. After first telling readers how he likes all kinds of rice--white, brown, fried, stewed--award-winning poet Argueta proceeds, making every step in preparing the dish sound like a great adventure.”—Ilene Cooper

School Library Journal v. 56 no. 9 (September 2010) p. 142
PreS-Gr 3-“A boy goes to the market to buy ingredients for rice pudding. What ensues is a poetic journey of making the sweet treat, step by step. The bilingual text is not a straightforward recipe, but could be followed to make the traditional dish. “ - Shannon Dye, Peoria Public Library, Peoria, AZ

Connections
Jorge Argueta is writing a series of Cooking Poems.
Argueta, Jorge. 2009. Sopa de Frijoles/BeanSoup. Ill. Yockteng, Rafael. Toronto, Ontario: Groundwood Books; Bilingual edition. ISBN-10: 0888998813

Take the ingredients mentioned in the book and with adult supervision make rice pudding.

Write a cooking poem from a recipe for a favorite food.


Picture Book




Bibliographic data
Fox, Mem. 1985. Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge. Ill. by Julie Vivas Brooklyn, N.Y.: Kane/Miller Book Publishers. ISBN: 0916291049






Plot summary
Wilfred lives next door to an old people’s home. He likes to visit with the residents, especially with one lady who has four names like him, Miss Nancy Alison Delacourt Cooper. Then one day Wilfred finds out that Miss Nancy has lost her memory and he wants to know what a memory is. He goes about asking all the residents “What’s a memory?” and they all respond with varying answers what a memory means to them. Wilfred decides to look for memories for Miss Nancy since she has lost hers. He fills a basket with items that fit the descriptions his friends told him what a memory was. The items help Miss Nancy find her memories.

Critical analysis
This sweet story is about friendship and memories. The innocence of young Wilfrid is charming when he asks the residents about the definition of memory and is touching when he tries to find things that will help his friend find hers. Each of his friends has a different meaning of what a memory is, “something warm” “something from long ago” “something that makes you cry” or “something that makes you laugh” “a memory is precious as gold”. Wilfrid takes all their memories and makes some of his own and in return he helps Miss Nancy remember hers.

The watercolor illustrations by Julie Vives are pleasant, sweet and soft. The elderly residents are realistic in their posture and body shape although the bellies do look a bit exaggerated. Wilfrid however looks like a child with boundless energy as he visits his friends.

Mem Fox is from Australia and “Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge” was her first book published in the United States in 1985. With the exception of a word or two like cricket and porridge, the story transcends the globe. Young and old, friendship and memories and memory loss are universal no matter what country you live in or what culture you belong to. Everyone can relate to this heart warming story.

Review excerpts
School Library Journal
The illustrations splashy, slightly hazy watercolors in rosy pastels contrast the boy's fidgety energy with his friends' slow, careful movements and capture the story's warmth and sentiment." – John Peters, New York Public Library

Connections
Storylinonline.com is a website from the Screen Actors Guild where celebrities read children’s books. View and listen to the video of “Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge” read by Bradley Whitford.

Students can interview grandparents or other older adults and ask them what a memory means to them.

Students can create a memory basket using items that fit that description of what a memory means to the characters of the story. They can fill it with objects that are warm, something from long ago, something as precious as gold, something that makes you cry and something that makes you laugh.


Novel- Batchelder Award 2003



Bibliographic data
Funke, Cornelia. 2001. The Thief Lord. Translated from German by Oliver Latsch. New York. Chicken House, Scholastic. ISBN 9780545227704










Plot summary
Prosper and Bo runaway from Hamburg Germany after their mother passes away and their aunt wants to separate the brothers. The siblings go to Venice, Italy because their mother had told them stories about the city. The boys join a group of street children who live in an abandoned theater. The leader of the group is a boy named Scipio who calls himself the Thief Lord. The children survive through petty theft and selling items the Thief Lord steals. The Thief Lord is commissioned to steal a mysterious broken wooden wing and the children set about planning the heist. A detective hired by the brothers’ aunt finds the small band of children and he reveals Scipio’s true identity. The children continue with their planned heist and awaken the owner of the home, Ida. She agrees to let them have the broken wooden wing after she explains its part of a magical merry go round and if she could go with them to the exchange. The adventures that ensue take the children on a journey full of magic and life changing events.

Critical analysis
The story was originally written in German by Cornelia Funke and translated into English by Oliver Latsch. The setting of the story, the city of Venice is very much a character in the story. Prosper and Bo’s mother told the boys many stories about the city’s culture, art, and architecture. The alley and canals served as a great way for the children to lose the adults chasing after them. A map of the city is provided at the beginning of the book to provide readers with a sense of location. The story is a fantasy but the city of Venice is real and is described with so much detail and accuracy that when the fantasy elements come to light halfway through the book the reader may be surprised if the genre is unknown before reading it.

The characters are a diverse group. The group of children includes a girl, a boy of African descent, an Italian, and the brothers who are German. The detective is not a native of Italy but has lived in the city for several years. Although the story was originally written in German, and later translated to English, the Italian language is also part of the story. Characters have Italian names and Italian words and phrases are written throughout the novel. A glossary of Italian words is included at the back of the book.

The story is full of suspense and mystery. It is a story of friends who take care of each like family and people who are searching for a place to belong. When the story moves into the realm of fantasy it takes on the magical quality of a good adventure story for children who want to be adults and adults who want to be children.

Awards
2003 Mildred L. Batchelder Award for Outstanding Translated Book
Child Magazine Best Book of the Year
Parenting Magazine Book of the Year
Zurich Children's Book Award
Book Award from the Vienna House of Literature
Swiss Youth Literature Award
New York Times Bestseller and Notable Book
USA Today Bestseller
Book Sense Book of the Year Award
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
Child Magazine Best Book of the Year
ALA Notable Children's Book
NCTE Notable Children's Book in the Language Art
Winner of the 2005 Young Readers Choice Award (Senior Division)

Review excerpts
The Horn Book v. 78 no. 6 (November/December 2002) p. 754-5
"The story moves at a slow pace, lingering in explanatory dialogue and descriptions of Venice, but the idiosyncrasy and resonance of the central carousel image create a potent, continental atmosphere that laces the tale with a bit of excitement. In the course of pursuing the carousel's mystery, Victor and Ida and the brothers fob off Prospero and Bo's aunt with the kind of child she really wants and band together as a new kind of family—a sweet and comforting conclusion that will satisfy readers whose hearts have been touched by the loyalty and courage of the two brothers and the rewarded generosity of their new foster parents."-Anita L. Burkam

The New York Times Book Review v. 107 no. 46 (November 17 2002) p. 31
"In Germany and England, critics have compared 'The Thief Lord' to a Dickens tale, probably because of its obvious resemblances to 'Oliver Twist.' But it also has the feel of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' with its transformations, disguises, role reversals and revelations, and its final harmonious resolution of destinies. One of the virtues of this splendid novel—Funke's first to be translated into English—is its final vision of youth and age, in which children who have been betrayed by life regain their trust in their elders. In turn, the best of grown-ups find adventure in that most daunting task: protecting the young while giving them the freedom to grow."-Rebecca Pepper Sinkler

Connections
Inkheart Trilogy by Cornelia Funke
Cornelia Funke. 2003. Inkheart. Translated from German by Anthea Bell.
New York. Chicken House, Scholastic. ISBN 0439852706

Cornelia Funke. 2007. Inkspell. Translated from German by Anthea Bell.
New York. Chicken House,Scholastic. ISBN 0439554012

Cornelia Funke. 2008. Inkdeath. Translated from German by Anthea Bell.
ew York. Chicken House,Scholastic. ISBN 0439866286

Writing prompt: If you were to go for a ride on the magical merry go round would you want to become older or younger? Why? What would you do?