Embedded Files
Their grandfather’s tales of his encounters with Latin American terrors La Llorona (the ghostly Weeping Woman) and the Chupacabras inspire Juan and his almost fearless cousin Luz to sneak out late. Their hopes of confronting the Chupacabras, a somewhat vampiric creature illustrated here as a rather comical dragon with birdlike legs, seem to come true when they meet up with a shadowy upright figure that apparently has wings fluttering near its head. Luz goes on the attack with her “magic” marbles, which she has soaked in holy water, and slingshot. Unfortunately, her victim turns out to be Juan’s father with a blanket wrapped around his shoulders, coming out to bring them back inside the house. Ward’s illustrations reflect Garza’s South Texas background, showing both cacti that flourish in semi-aridity and trees and fields of corn that benefit from irrigation. The expressions of La Llorona and the Chupacabras are both funny and scary, and the human characters are realistically drawn. Both Spanish and English texts flow smoothly, with enough action to keep younger readers involved. Another successful title for the author of Lucha Libre: The Man in the Silver Mask (2005). (Picture book. 6-9) Kurkus Review
Grade 2-5-Vincent is spending Christmas Eve with his T\xEDo Pancho; a retired mariachi singer who lives on an old farm near the border between Texas and Mexico. When Santa Claus arrives at the farmhouse looking for his cousin, Vincent is stunned to learn that his uncle is the jolly one's relative. His surprise only increases as he witnesses Santa transform his uncle into his helper, Charro Claus. Santa's magic powers also enable Pancho's old wagon and burros to fly him back and forth along the border; a border that he considers his home, and on this magic night, neither weather nor walls will keep him from delivering presents to children. Wanting to be part of the adventure, Vincent hides inside the magic sack of presents, not realizing that this act will turn him into another one of Santa's helpers. Garza's original text and bold, full-page illustrations will surely pull readers into the excitement of this new ""border"" story. A wonderful acquisition for elementary and public libraries, as well as bookstores looking to enhance their bilingual Christmas offerings. Betsy Duarte Shepard, Wakefield Middle School, Tucson, AZ
Publishers Weekly Review
Publishers Weekly Review
Told in a lyrical, fairy tale - like style, Ryan's (riding Freedom) robust novel set in 1930 captures a Mexican girl's fall from riches, her immigration to California and her growing awareness of class and ethnic tensions. Thirteen-year-old Esperanza Ortega and her family are part of Mexico's wealthy, land-owning class in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Her father is a generous and well-loved man who gives his servants land and housing. Early in the novel, bandits kill Esperanza's father, and her corrupt uncles threaten to usurp their home. Their servants help her and her mother flee to the United States, but they must leave Esperanza's beloved Abuelita (grandmother) behind until they can send for her. Ryan poetically conveys Esperanza's ties to the land by crafting her story to the rhythms of the seasons. Each chapter's title takes its name from the fruits Esperanza and her countrymen harvest, firs in Aguascalientes, then in California's San Joaquin Valley. Ryan fluidly juxtaposes world events (Mexico's post-revolution tensions, the arrival of Oklahoma's Dust Bowl victims and the struggles between the U.S. government and Mexican workers trying to organize) with one family's will to survive - while introducing readers to Spanish words and Mexican customs. Readers will be swept up by vivid descriptions of California dust storms or by the police crackdown on a labor strike (""The picket signs lay on the ground, discarded, and like a mass of marbles that had already been hit, the strikers scattered?""). Ryan delivers subtle metaphors via Abuelita's pearl's of wisdom, and not until story's end will readers recognize how carefully they have been strung. Ages 9-14. (Oct.)
Publishers Weekly - Star Review
Publishers Weekly - Star Review
Basketball-playing twins find challenges to their relationship on and off the court as they cope with changes in their lives.Josh Bell and his twin, Jordan, aka JB, are stars of their school basketball team. They are also successful students, since their educator mother will stand for nothing else. As the two middle schoolers move to a successful season, readers can see their differences despite the sibling connection. After all, Josh has dreadlocks and is quiet on court, and JB is bald and a trash talker. Their love of the sport comes from their father, who had also excelled in the game, though his championship was achieved overseas. Now, however, he does not have a job and seems to have health problems the parents do not fully divulge to the boys. The twins experience their first major rift when JB is attracted to a new girl in their school, and Josh finds himself without his brother. This novel in verse is rich in character and relationships. Most interesting is the family dynamic that informs so much of the narrative, which always reveals, never tells. While Josh relates the story, readers get a full picture of major and minor players. The basketball action provides energy and rhythm for a moving story.Poet Alexander deftly reveals the power of the format to pack an emotional punch. (Verse fiction. 9-12)
Kurkus Star Review
Kurkus Star Review
A. P. Solis Middle School
700 South Ave.
Donna, Texas 78537
(956) 464-1650
Hours of Operation
Monday thru Friday
7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Copyright Date: December 18, 2022
Site Manager: Concepcion Gonzalez
e-mail: concepcion.gonzalez@donnaisd.net
phone: (956) 464-1650
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse