Celebrate Hispanic heritage month with Gringolandia
October 14, 2009 by Lori Calabrese · View Comments
Hispanic Heritage Month is in full force and there’s only one day left! National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates people of various different races, from more than 20 different nations around the world who share a related cultural and ethnic heritage. How are you celebrating? One way to celebrate is to read a book written by a latino/a author.
Jo Ann Hernandez, author of White Bread Competition
“You know all those stories that end with “They lived happily ever after”? Gringolandia begins after the “ever after.”
Lyn Miller-Lachmann researched and wrote a heartfelt story about a man’s life after having lived with torture for so many years and the effect this had on his family. His wife worked with others, wrote letters, and waited for her husband to return. Brother, Daniel, and sister, Tina, face different issues in accepting the dad that was so different from their recollection. After the father, Marcelo, was imprisoned, the mother and children moved to America to be safe. As with most moves, the family’s life was changed and their customs adjusted to their environment. When the father returns, his hold as the family head of household was shaken.
The jist of the story is that the father wants to return to Chile and continue his fighting the revolution. However, the family was not so sure about the idea. Yet everyone wanted to support him.
The father, Marcelo, can appear as rude or obnoxious, yet all his actions and discontentment are integrated with the history of his torture. The author doesn’t do a heavy analysis of what reactions are normal for a person recovering from torture. I’m sure she had to do tremendous research on the subject. However, she does an excellent job of showing and not telling us what was going on for the man: the confusion in his intentions combined with the confusions of the rest of the family’s expectations.
The story is told from Daniel’s point-of-view. He is a teen in high school, who plays a guitar and has a white girlfriend. The introduction of Courtney is a bit of a mystery to me. Probably because I am not smart enough to figure out the undertones. Courtney’s history with her own family is revealed, and we can understand her zeal in wanting to work with Daniel’s father. She takes upon herself to set in action things that Daniel is afraid will hurt his father more than he already is. I’m not sure why so many people let her get away with what she did. I think that the assertion all of us, people of color, grew up with was the essential factor in that decision. We know better than to call a white person on their actions in spite of their motives. Many times because the white person believes their intentions are noble. Too hard to explain to them the difference.
One finds it difficult to say they enjoyed this book because of the emotional upheaval everyone experiences. Yet Gringolandia is an excellent read to see family dynamics at work, and the consequences of one’s belief in an unfair system. Or is it world? Get to know this family for they will stay in your memory, teasing you with I wonder what happened to….”
To learn more about Jo Ann Hernández, and hear about the latest latino/a books, please visit her online at: http://authorslatino.com/wordpress
And just because we’re at the end of Hispanic heritage month, it doesn’t mean we should stop celebrating the amazing work of Latino/a authors. Hopefully everyone gets a chance to read some of the books highlighted this month and others in the future.
Additional Information:
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 250 pages
Publisher: Curbstone Press (May 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1931896496
ISBN-13: 978-1931896498
Celebrate Hispanic heritage month with White Bread Competition
October 13, 2009 by Lori Calabrese · View Comments
Hispanic Heritage Month is in full force and lasts until this Thursday, October 15th. Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates people of various different races, from more than 20 different nations around the world who share a related cultural and ethnic heritage. How are you celebrating? One way to celebrate is to read a book written by a latino/a author.
Ruth J. Hartman, author of My Life in Mental Chains (Looking Glass)
“I felt honored to be invited into the world of a loving Latino family while reading White Bread Competition. The fourteen-year-old main character, Luz, has come in first place in her school’s spelling bee. This qualifies her to go on to the national spelling bee to represent her state of Texas. You’re given a peek into this event through the eyes of Justina, her younger sister, her mother and grandmother, and other friends and relatives. Each viewpoint is unique, while giving you a sense of their family and community bond by their actions and reactions to circumstances surrounding this event.
Luz has to deal with the jealousy from the girl at her school who came in second place in the spelling bee. Through this, you can see the definite dividing lines between race and culture among the children as well as the adults. Many a reviewer has accused Hernandez of “not liking” whites and painting them in uncharacteristic light, yet the author invites readers into the class structure and struggles that propels the girl’s mother’s reaction. When someone accuses Luz of cheating during the spelling bee, it’s apparent who’s on Luz’s side and who is hoping she’ll fail. The reasons varied dependent on the person’s life experiences.
While the focal point of the story is the spelling bee, the novel takes you back in time to when the story’s adults were younger, and how events in their lives shaped their personalities and beliefs. These events also come into play as you see each person’s reaction to Luz’s accomplishments. You’re drawn in to each individual’s thoughts and dreams for the future and whether or not these dreams came true for them later on.
Throughout the story, Hernández weaves wonderful Latino customs and heritage into their everyday lives. I could actually visualize Luz’s grandmother when, as a young woman, she stood over the blazing restaurant stove and made her delicious homemade tortillas for customers who couldn’t possibly appreciate how hard her job was, or the conditions in which she was forced to work. And I experienced fear along with this character when a frightening event temporarily took her away from her family. This chapter, standing alone, has won several first prizes.
You’ll cheer for Luz as she follows her dream of competing in the state bee, even as others try to talk her out of it, or in some cases, actually attempt to stop her. She perseveres even in the face of others’ jealousy and fear. Her bravery and confidence are good examples for young people and adults alike.
White Bread Competition won 2nd place winner for Best Collection of Short Stories at the Chicano/Latino Literary Prize at the University of California, Irving, Department of Portuguese and Spanish in 1996, and should be on everyone’s reading list. I came away with a greater understanding of Latino heritage, and I am richer for the experience. Jo Ann Hernández is a terrific writer, drawing you into her wonderful world of love and family values, while weaving an intriguing tale of one young girl’s dream for the future.”
To learn more about Jo Ann Hernández, and hear about the latest latino/a books, please visit her online at: http://authorslatino.com/wordpress
To learn more about Ruth J. Hartman and her book, My Life in Mental Chains (Looking Glass)
Additional Information:
Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Pinata Books (October 1997)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1558852107
ISBN-13: 978-1558852105
Celebrate Hispanic heritage month with Confetti Girl
September 30, 2009 by Lori Calabrese · View Comments
Hispanic Heritage Month is in full force and lasts until October 15th. National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates people of various different races, from more than 20 different nations around the world who share a related cultural and ethnic heritage. How are you celebrating? One way to celebrate is to read a book written by a latino/a author.
Jo Ann Hernandez, author of White Bread Competition
“Apolonia Flores is the hero of this book. Her father says about her first name, “It’s the girl form of Apollo. He was the god of the sun. Get it? It’s my way of calling you a sunflower.”
Parents! What can a teen do with them? Gratefully, everyone calls her Lina. Vanessa is her best friend, who lives across the street. Thankfully, this book is not about gangs, migrant farm workers, or crossing the border. It’s a regular book about a regular family in a regular neighborhood where the girls go to a regular school with regular problems. Do I seem a bit obsessed with regular? This is a beautiful story of a girl who has lost her mother and needs her father. Her father in his grief has immersed himself into books. How does she go about reaching through those books to her father, who holds them up in front of him? She thinks: “I see a body, a neck, and a book where his face should be.”
I enjoyed this book so much because the writing was good and the story was so real: Lina struggles with Vanessa’s breaking away from their best friend status to date a boy, the girls plot to help Vanessa’s mom, and Lina grapples with how to approach a boy she likes and isn’t sure whether he likes her. The whole issue of losing a parent is dealt with in two ways: loss by death and loss by divorce. The plot of this story is the generational age dilemma of any teen and their parents: how do you reach each other to an understanding of what each needs? The ending is hilarious and would make any therapist proud.
I had read The Secret Blog of Raisin Rodriguez
I believe that the community, any and all of us, are in dire need of more books like Confetti Girl by Diana López. Stories that portray us as people with hurts, joys and loves, just like everyone else in the world in any skin color. I encourage you to rush out and buy this book. Because buying this book would show the world how proud we are of being Latino/a, of how much we support our Latino/a authors, and of how much we need and want “real” stories about ourselves doing life. Read and enjoy!”
Read an interview with Diana Lopez at Cynsations.
To learn more about Jo Ann Hernández, and hear about the latest latino/a books, please visit her online at: http://authorslatino.com/wordpress
Additional Information:
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 208 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers; 1 edition (June 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316029556
ISBN-13: 978-0316029551
Celebrate Hispanic heritage month with children's books
September 15, 2009 by Lori Calabrese · View Comments
Beginning today, students across the United States are celebrating Hispanic Heritage month . The first formal recognition of Hispanic Heritage was made by Congress in 1968. Originally designated as the week of Sept. 15, the celebration was centered around the Independence Days of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, which are celebrated on Sept. 15, and Mexico, which is celebrated on Sept. 16. In 1988, the celebration was extended to 31 days, beginning on Sept. 15 and ending on Oct. 15. It now includes Chile’s Independence Day (Sept. 18) and el Dia de la Raza, or the Hispanic celebration of Columbus Day (Oct. 12).
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 44 million people in the United States are of Hispanic origin. That’s why it’s important to teach students about the ethnic diversity in our country and expose them to world traditions. National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates people of various different races, from more than 20 different nations around the world who share a related cultural and ethnic heritage.
Books to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month:
Yum! Mmmm! Que Rico! Americas’ Sproutings
Yum is right! This is a wonderful introduction to 14 types of native foods of the Americas. Mora uses both English and a little bit of Spanish to give us info on peanuts, blueberries, corn, potatoes, tomatoes, and more. A haiku is written about each and the stunning artwork is fun and appealing.
Abuela (English Edition with Spanish Phrases) (Picture Puffins)
Imagine flying over New York City with your much loved abuela. The young girl in this fun fantasy, Rosalba, does just that! Dorros uses a perfect mix of English and Spanish to describe their journey above Manhattan streets all the way to Rosalba’s father’s office.
(Available in both English and Spanish).
Gathering the Sun: An Alphabet In Spanish And English (Spanish Edition)
This fun alphabet book matches each letter to a Spanish word and includes brief poems that explore rural life in Mexico. From A to Z, the book celebrates Mexican heritage and the beautiful illustrations do a wonderful job of showing the plight of migrant farm workers.
Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez
The life of Cesar Chavez is told in this beautiful picture book. Follow along as Chavez organizes his 340-mile march to better the lives of migrant workers. The text and illustrations compliment each other and will draw young readers into this well-told biography.
Love To Mama: A Tribute To Mothers
A book that celebrates moms! This is a beautiful anthology of thirteen poems written to celebrate Latina women and the love, joy, and support of moms. Most of the authors sprinkle a little Spanish throughout and include an easy to read glossary with a pronunciation key.
My Name is Celia/Me llamo Celia (Bilingual): The Life of Celia Cruz/la vida de Celia Cruz (Americas Award for Children’s and Young Adult Literature. Winner (Awards))
This picture book biography introduces young readers to the life and music of the famous Hispanic singer, Celia Cruz. Follow Celia Cruz’s life as she becomes a well-known singer in her homeland of Cuba, then moves to New York City and Miami where she and others create a new type of music called salsa.
Esperanza Rising
This wonderful novel is based on the life of the author’s grandmother. Instead of celebrating her 13th birthday in Mexico as she imagined, Esperanza is forced to assimilate to a new way of life when her father is murdered, moving to the United States to become a farm worker in California.
Additional Resources:
*A History of Hispanic Heritage (American Federation of Teachers)
*An introduction to Hispanic Heritage Month (Fact Monster)
*Celebrate Hispanic Heritage (Scholastic)
*Celebrate Hispanic Heriatge (Education World)
*Visit ColorinColorado.org for games, books, activities, and fun related to Hispanic Heritage month.
*Hispanic Heritage Teaching Resources (Smithsonian)
*Download this illustrative poster from the American Federation of Teachers. It depicts the many contributions of Hispanic Americans, and includes suggested classroom activities (PreK-12) for celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.
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