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32 pp.
| Farrar
| May, 2004
|
TradeISBN 0-374-38054-6$$16.00
(3)
K-3
While on a Sunday drive, Fernando's family comes across a kite festival. Fernando doesn't have a kite, but he and his family find a creative way to make one--which wins a prize for originality. This sweet family story is accompanied by Torres's simple, effective illustrations. Directions for making a hexagonal kite are included. Concurrently published in Spanish.
32 pp.
| Farrar/Mirasol
| May, 2004
|
TradeISBN 0-374-32299-6$$16.00
(3)
K-3
Fernando and his family find a creative way to build a kite for a kite festival--and end up winning a prize for originality. The sweet story is accompanied by Torres's appealing illustrations. This Spanish edition of The Kite Festival is effectively translated by the author. Directions for making a hexagonal kite are included. Concurrently published in English.
32 pp.
| Children's
| April, 2003
|
TradeISBN 0-89239-180-4$$16.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Rosa Ibarra.
Every day Soledad comes home from school to a lonely, empty house. With the help of her imagination, she finds ways to alleviate her boredom and appreciate the time she has to herself. This lengthy text, in both Spanish and English, aptly portrays the plight of kids without after-school programs. While figures in the illustrations are occasionally awkward, the colorful minimalist style is effective.
32 pp.
| Star Bright
| January, 2003
|
TradeISBN 1-887734-85-6$$15.95
(4)
PS
Illustrated by
Ying-hwa Hu
&
Cornelius Van Wright.
"May you hear salsa / and start to dance" intones this singable wish (music provided) to young Alicia, who spends her birthday walking through her Latino neighborhood and enjoying the good wishes of her community. This look at a birthday celebration through another culture's lens is welcome and the urban details well chosen, but the illustrations fail to give the grinning characters dimension.
40 pp.
| Philomel
| August, 2003
|
TradeISBN 0-399-23630-9$$16.99
(3)
1-3
Illustrated by
Loren Long
&
Loren Long.
Spanish-speaking Ria misses the animals she left back in her Caribbean home. The young girl suddenly begins to feel at home in New York City when she participates in the blessing of the animals on the Feast of Saint Francis celebration in a grand cathedral. Long's angular, heavy acrylic paintings convey the majesty of the setting, while Weller's text expresses Ria's feelings of displacement.
154 pp.
| Holt
| October, 2002
|
TradeISBN 0-8050-7055-9$$16.95
(4)
4-6
When her favorite singer is killed in a drive-by shooting and life at home becomes unbearable, Alma sneaks into a neighbor's house every day to enjoy music and solitude. This barrio story has drugs, teen pregnancy, poverty, gangs, and very little hope. Although the police and Alma's neighbor are unconvincingly forgiving about Alma's breaking and entering, much of Alma's difficult childhood seems realistic.
32 pp.
| Lerner/Millbrook
| March, 2002
|
LibraryISBN 0-7613-2315-5$$22.90
(4)
K-3
What Was It Like, Grandma? series.
Illustrated by
Peter Linenthal.
Photographs by
Peter Linenthal.
In these photo-essays, a grandmother shares stories of her childhood with her grandchildren and teaches them about her cultural and family traditions. Each book in this series includes a recipe and an activity. Although several of the photos are blurred and the different type sizes are confusing, the books offer a personalized past and present look at these cultures. [Review covers these What Was It Like, Grandma? titles: Grandma Esther Remembers, Grandma Francisca Remembers, Grandma Lai Goon Remembers, Grandma Lois Remembers, Grandma Susan Remembers.]
32 pp.
| Putnam
| April, 2002
|
TradeISBN 0-399-23865-4$$13.99
(3)
K-3
In this second book about the Barkers, twin dogs Morgie and Moffie welcome their adopted brother, Marcos, but it takes time to adjust to one another. DePaola's illustrations are sunny and expressive; full-page pictures combine with panels to move the action along swiftly. Simple Spanish words are nicely integrated into the story as the Barkers learn to communicate with their new brother. Glos.
32 pp.
| Scholastic/Orchard
| November, 2001
|
TradeISBN 0-439-29311-1$$16.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Joseph Daniel Fiedler.
Juan Verdades cannot tell a lie. So convinced is his employer of Juan's honesty that he wagers his entire ranch that a neighbor cannot trick Juan into lying. Juan's cleverness saves his employer's ranch, and in the process wins him the hand of the neighbor's beautiful daughter. Full-page illustrations add a Southwestern charm to this Hispanic folktale.
64 pp.
| Chelsea
| March, 2001
|
LibraryISBN 0-7910-6102-7$$17.95
(4)
4-6
Latinos in the Limelight series.
These formulaic biographies profile well-known Latinos in business, the arts, and sports. After a chapter about the subject's childhood and early years, the books provide basic background information about his or her career. The adulatory texts are accompanied by average-quality photos. A chronology and, where appropriate, lists of accomplishments and awards are appended. Bib., ind.
(2)
K-3
Unable to sleep, Roberto goes to his window. There he sees his friend Archie's cat, about to be attacked by a dog. Fortunately, the paper mouse Roberto made in school falls from the window, and its shadow frightens away the dog. The dark colors and thick swirls of paint give texture to the night and help make the small event more fanciful in this welcome reissue.
236 pp.
| Atheneum
| September, 1999
|
TradeISBN 0-689-82180-8$$16.00
(4)
YA
In a contemporary take on Romeo and Juliet, two sixteen-year-olds meet in an Internet chat room. Romiette, an African-American girl, and Julio, a Hispanic boy, fall in love, but harassment by a local gang objecting to their interracial dating endangers their lives. The plot sometimes seems contrived to parallel Shakespeare's drama, but the teen relationships are dynamic and skillfully limned.
32 pp.
| Children's
| August, 1999
|
TradeISBN 0-89239-161-8$$15.95
(4)
1-3
Illustrated by
Daniel Galvez.
Ten-year-old Monchi decides to join a street gang, only to see his cousin shot when she appears on the scene to convince him otherwise. She survives, and Monchi learns that, more than becoming a man, it is the kind of man you become that's important. Somewhat awkward photorealistic paintings illustrate this didactic yet compelling bilingual book written by a former gang member.
(2)
YA
When Kata's best friend and fellow gang member Ana is killed in a drive-by shooting, Kata looks first for revenge and finally for a way to make sense of the loss. Grim realities, while not romanticized, are tempered by a gently hopeful ending. Ewing's short novel provides a portrait of a girl and a society that gives some substance to the brief reports of gang shootings on the evening news.
32 pp.
| Cavendish
| September, 1998
|
TradeISBN 0-7614-5027-0$$15.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Felipe Dßvalos.
On a cold Night of the Three Kings in New Mexico, two children, snuggling with their grandmother, worry about whether the kings will be able to come and bring them presents in such weather. In a lyrical dream sequence, Grandmother shows them secret stars that guide the kings. Rich, warm illustrations help create the magical mood of the story.