Accidental Love (Soto)

Soto, Gary. Accidental Love. Orlando, Florida: Harcourt, 2006. ISBN 9780152054977

PLOT SUMMARY

Marisa, a 14 year-old hispanic girl from the wrong side of town, makes major life changes after a chance encounter with Rene, a cute nerd. Marisa had always been a tough “homegirl”, but inspired by Rene, Marisa begins to spend more time studying and works on controlling her temper. Her parents even allow her to bend the rules and transfer to Rene’s school for a better education. Marisa begins loosing her extra weight, increases in self confidence, and sets new goals for her life once her and Rene become a couple. However, after Marisa and Rene are separated and Marisa must return to her derelict school, Marisa decides the changes she made were ultimately for herself and would remain a part of her regardless of where she is or who she is with. Accidental Love is a humorous, coming of age story in which a young girl experiences first love and in the process discovers who she is and where she is headed in life.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Gary Soto has created an authentic, ethnically rich novel for young adults in Accidental Love. Marisa’s life is filled with language, food, and style that represents her Latino and American heritage. Her story manages to both represent and break many stereotypes, especially those of the Mexican-American culture. 

Marisa, her family, and Rene, like many bilingual speakers, use a mixture of languages throughout their day. Marisa’s mother asks, “How are you, mi’ja?” using a Spanish term of endearment. Throughout the novel emotional responses of any kind are often a mix of language. Marisa affectionately calls her boyfriend “my precious nerdito” and later angrily yells in English, but throws in a sprinkling of mild  Spanish curses. Marisa’s language is somewhat rough and improper, but her boyfriend Rene Torres, provides a glaring contrast with his extensive vocabulary and well phrased sentences.

Spanish is also used in the book when an English equivalent does not adequately describe the situation. For example, Marisa’s original school is being described as filled with “cholos,” or Latino gang members, and Asian and White students who use Spanish words like “mi jefita” to fit in with the majority. Soto has created a novel that, while written in English, may prove somewhat confusing to those unfamiliar with the Spanish language. In such cases the glossary of selected spanish words and phrases will be much appreciated by the reader.

Marisa and her family eat albondigas, a traditional Mexican meatball soup, have enchilada’s on Wednesdays, and use tortillas to eat their refritos. However, she and her family also indulge in American classics, such as lasagna, chocolate ice cream, powdered donuts and barbecue potato chips. Food becomes an important part of Marissa’s struggle when she decides to lose weight. Marissa deals with food cravings as she forgoes junk food and decrease portions of her favorite foods, including her favorite cheesy enchiladas.

The clothing and styling differences of Marisa and Rene represent their differences.  Rene tends to dress in a “nerdy” way, wearing high-water “pantalones” and white socks to school. Rene’s meek look appeases Marisa’s parents, but  is slightly embarrassing for his girlfriend. In comparison to Rene, Marisa dresses more like a gangster, wearing “brown lipstick and teased hair.” This look causes Marissa to feel judged occasionally, specifically by Rene’s mother. 

The couple’s look mirrors their stereotype breaking relationship. The female, Marisa, is the stronger and tougher of the two and protects Rene from teasing and abusive situations. In the end, the couple teaches each other how to be better versions of themselves, not for the other, but for themselves. Rene learns to stand up to his bullies, including his own mother and Marissa learns to control her anger. This change is represented, once again, in clothing. By the end of the novel Rene is wearing modern jeans and blue socks while Marissa begins wearing red lipstick and a dress!

REVIEW EXCERPTS

Booklist: “With humor and insight, [Soto] creates memorable, likable characters.”

Kirkus Reviews: “fresh and fun”

Publishers Weekly: “Soto accurately depicts popularity and stereotypes in high school, while conveying a melting pot of cultures.”

School Library Journal: “warmhearted, humorous novel”

CONNECTIONS

Read other novels by Gary Soto:

Soto, Gary. The Afterlife. ISBN 9780152052201

Soto, Gary. Jesse. ISBN 9780590528375

Soto, Gary. Taking Sides. ISBN 9780152046941

Variety of novels where young teenagers make important decisions and discover who they want to be:

Lipstyle, Robert. One Fat Summer. ISBN 9780060238964

Munoz Ryan, Pam. Esperanza Rising. ISBN 978-0439120425

Schmidt, Gary D. Okay For Now. ISBN 9780547152608

A Gift of Gracias (Alvarez)

Alvarez, Julia. A Gift of Gracias: The Legend of Altagracia. Ill. by Beatriz Vidal. New York: Alfred A. Knoff, 2005. ISBN 9780375984822

PLOT SUMMARY

A young girl named Maria becomes part of a miracle when she dreams of a lady clothed in stars. Following the mysterious lady’s advice, Maria and her family plant seeds of oranges while giving thanks to God. The seeds grow into orange trees at an unimaginable rate, producing an abundance of fruit that saves her family from financial ruin. An image of Our Lady of Altagracia later appears on a blanket, from which she continues to perform miracles for Maria and her family.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

A retelling of the Our Lady of Altagracia legend, A Gift of Gracias is set in Spanish colonized Dominican Republic. Maria and her family live on a farm, where all attempts to grow traditional Spanish olives are failing. When her father suggests that the family may soon be leaving their home to live in the city, Maria begins to cry into a bowl of oranges. Vidal’s beautiful paintings of the farm’s magnificent, lush landscape leave the reader with little doubt as to why leaving would be such a sad prospect for Maria. 

Later that night, an old family friend, Quisqueya, appears in Maria’s dreams. His dark, weathered face is contrasted next to the youthful, pale face of Maria as he tells her to plant orange seeds. In her dream they plant the seeds together, giving thanks. Soon a beautiful, unearthly women appears to them. She radiates light, both through her aura and her starlit robe as she tells Maria what to do next. Vidal’s paintings portray Our Lady of Altagracia very traditionally, staying true to images found across the Dominican Republic and displayed in Catholic churches.   

After Maria wakes up she quickly relays her dream to her family. Quisqueya, already familiar with the legend of such a lady, and her family quickly agree to the plan. The miracles continue even after the trees produce an abundance of fruit. Maria continues to receive dreams of the future, including images of their oranges selling in a vibrant, diverse marketplace, filled with light skinned Spaniards wearing European styled clothing and dark skinned Tiano Indians wearing vibrant robes. 

The story also explains how other countries have differing images of the Virgin Mary, based on how the Virgin appeared in their country. 

Alvarez intertwines beautiful imagery and Spanish words into her story. Cognates are used throughout the story, such as Mamá and Papá. More challenging words, such as bandidos are placed in italics. Context clues give adequate information to the reader without being patronizing. Powerful imagery adds depth and entices the senses. Oranges are explained as smelling “sharp and fresh” and Quisqueya’s face as “glow[ing] like an indoor sun”. The combination of Avarez’s flawless integration of Spanish and descriptive imagery, when paired with Vidal’s layered, warm paintings create a stunning retelling of a tradition very close to the heart of many Dominicans.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

Booklist: “this talented team evokes an enchanted, sun-kissed world where dreams, and gratitude, bear fruit.”

Publishers Weekly: “author and artist make dreams-come-true seem possible”

School Library Journal: “Vidal has painted colorful, yet warm illustrations that add depth to the story.”

CONNECTIONS

Read other books emphasizing the importance of thankfulness.

Bucchino, John. Grateful: A Song of Giving Thanks. ISBN 9780060516338

McCourt, Lisa. The Most Thankful Thing. ISBN 9780439650830

Mora, Pat. Gracias/Thanks. ISBN 9781600602580

Polacco, Patricia. Thank you, Mr. Falker. ISBN 9780399257629

Scotton, Rob. Splat Says Thank you! ISBN 9780061978746

Wilson, Karma. Bear Says Thanks. ISBN 9781416958567

Read a few stories with Our Lady or The Virgin Mary.

Heffernan, Eileen. Blessed Jacinta and Francisco Marto: shepherd of Fatima. ISBN 9780819811554

Lovasik, Lawrence G. Our Lady of Lourdes. ISBN 9780899423913

Milligan, Bryce. Brigid’s Cloak: An Ancient Irish Story. ISBN 9780802852243

Mora, Pat. The Beautiful Lady: Our Lady of Guadalupe. ISBN 9780375868382

dePaola, Tomie. The Lady of Guadalupe. ISBN 9780823404032

dePaola, Tomie. Mary: The Mother of Jesus. ISBN 9780823410187

Dizzy In Your Eyes (Mora)

Mora, Pat. Dizzy In Your Eyes: Poems About Love. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2010. ISBN 9780375843754

PLOT SUMMARY

Dizzy In Your Eyes is a collection of poems by Pat Mora that explore the intricacies of love. A teenager’s love for self, family, pets, and especially a romantic other are explored through 50 poems. Various poetic forms, both familiar (e.g. haiku and free verse) and unfamiliar (e.g. vinanelle), are explored in Mora’s Spanish infused collection.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Love is a universal theme that is very familiar with poetry. Mora has used poetry to explore the meaning of love in its vast variety of forms. Poems cover mundane topics, such as weekend plans, to very special memories, like the first time successfully asking a girl out. 

Mora shows her strength when she uses poetry to tell stories, breaking free of some of the more rigid poetic forms. These poems evoke rich and authentic emotions. The pure essence of secret joy is expressed in “Back Then” when Mora writes “I’d feel like I’d swallowed a slice of sun.” Once again, in “Kissing” Mora perfectly captures the moment. In a tense scene at home after a father catches his daughter kissing a boy Mora writes, “Dad and I tangled in silence.” 

The theme and format of the collection is universal to all cultures, although many of its poems speak directly to Hispanic culture. For example, “Mariachi Fantasy” references the passionate musical groups traditional to Mexico as it creates a playful image of a cactus “letting all his inside feelings rip”.  The poem “Spanish” looks into one teen’s love for their native language and loss when they are unable to hear and speak it. This poem will feel familiar to many individuals who have been in the lingual minority, and even more so for those whose primary language is Spanish. The idea of language providing “comfort, una frazdo” will be impactful for those who can fully embrace Mora’s use of metaphor. 

Spanish is utilized throughout the collection in a variety of poems, with one poem, “Ode to Teachers” being presented in both Spanish and English. In the touching poem, “Valentine to Papi” Spanish is only used as a tribute to the fact a girl never grows out of love with her father, her “Papi.”

REVIEW EXCERPTS

Kirkus Reviews: “The poet's voice is multifaceted: tender, humorous and joyful but also profound”

School Library Journal: “a glimpse into the last remaining innocence of the teen years”

CONNECTIONS

Read more poetry by Pat Mora.

Mora, Pat. This Big Sky. ISBN 0590371207

Mora, Pat. Yum! Mmmm! Qué Rico!, Americas' Sproutings. ISBN 9781584302711

Mora, Pat. Confetti: Poems for Children. ISBN 9781880000854

Mora, Pat. Love to Mama: A Tribute to Mothers. ISBN 9781584302353

Mora, Pat. My Own True Name: New and Selected Poems for Young Adults. ISBN 9781558852921

Read another poetry book that explores a variety of poetic forms.

Janeczko, Paul B., ed. A Kick in the Head, An Everyday Guide to Poetic Form. ISBN 978-0763641320

Read other poems for teenagers told from the viewpoint of teenagers.

Franco, Besty. Falling Hard: 100 Love Poems by Teenagers. ISBN 9780763648398

Marcus, Kimberly. Exposed. ISBN 978-0375866937

Ochoa, Annette Pina, Betsy Franco, and Traci L. Gourdine, eds. Night is Gone, Day is Coming: Stories and Poems by American Indian Teens and Young Adults. ISBN 0763615188

Sones, Sonya. Stop Pretending, What Happened When My Big Sister Went Crazy. ISBN 0064462188

Feathers (Woodson)

Woodson, Jacquline. Feathers. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2007. ISBN 9780399239892

PLOT SUMMARY

Feathers opens with Frannie explaining her confusion over Dickinson’s description of hope as a “thing with feathers.” Over the course of the book, however, Frannie begins to understand hope as a multifaceted thing. She feels hope in the white child that shows up suddenly at the all black school she attends in the 1970s. She feels hope in her much admired older brother who perseveres through peer rejection because he is deaf. She feels hope in her best friend who holds fast to her faith in God despite poverty and disappointment. Finally, she feels hope within her own family as together they face their mother’s new pregnancy after miscarriage. In Feathers Frannie comes of age as she discovers the importance of having, experiencing, and holding on to hope in the everyday.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Jacqueline Woodson’s beautifully written book is the story of keeping hope despite life's setbacks and circumstances. 

Frannie, the book’s main protagonist, is a sixth grade girl that is well loved by her family. Although she wishes for some of her best friend Samantha’s gracefulness or the “dark, pretty skin” of her father, Frannie is pleasantly self-assured for her young age. 

Frannie’s family is tested when her mother finds out she is pregnant. Scared that her mother will have another miscarriage, Frannie begins to obsess over everything that could go wrong. It is with the support of her family, however, that Frannie comes to understand how to let go of her worry and see “each moment” as a “thing with feathers.”

The 1971, post segregation New York setting influences the culture and language of Feathers. The Black Panther's impact can be seen when Frannie’s brother picks his hair into an afro and makes the "Black Power sign." Students in Frannie’s classes “jive” and call each other “cat” and “my brother.” Although segregation has ended, students that are white live and go to school on one side of town, and students that are black live and go to school on the other side. 

The new student, Jesus Boy, causes a disruption to the status quo when he shows up to Frannie's school one January morning. He is hard to place into a category and this troubles his fellow students. He appears white, but identifies himself as black. Frannie is immediately drawn to the new boy at school, but others are not as immediately accepting. His arrival poses the question of what it means to be black and how one lives in two worlds (black/white).

Like Frannie, Jesus Boy is hearing and can sign American Sign Language. Sean, Frannie's brother, is deaf and communicates primarily through sign language. When Sean is approached and rejected by teenage girls because he is deaf, he expresses a desire to be like Frannie and Jesus Boy. He sometimes wishes that he too could cross into both worlds (hearing/deaf).

Feathers is a insightful novel that delves into the human desire for belonging and the need to hold onto hope.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

BookList: “Woodson tells her story with immediacy and realism”

The Horn Book: “Woodson deftly, even lyrically, weaves some large ideas through her story”

Kirkus Reviews: “Woodson captures perfectly the questions and yearnings of a girl perched on the edge of adolescence”

Publishers Weekly, Starred Review: “Woodson's novel skillfully weaves in the music and events surrounding the rising opposition to the Vietnam War, giving this gentle, timeless story depth”

CONNECTIONS

Read everyday poems told from a child’s point of view, from celebrated poet Greenfield.

Greenfield, Eloise. Honey, I Love. ISBN: 9780064430975

Read another child’s perspective of the same historical time period in One Crazy Summer.

Williams-Garcia, Rita. One Crazy Summer. ISBN: 9780060760908

Read about two friends and their summer following desegregation in the South in Freedom Summer. 

Wiles, Deborah. Freedom Summer. ISBN: 978-0689878299

Read about one boy’s experience of going with his deaf father to meet famous African-American baseball player Jackie Robinson.

Uhlberg, Myron. Dad, Jackie, and Me. ISBN: 9781561455317

The Patchwork Quilt (Jerry Pinkney)

Flournoy, Valerie. The Patchwork Quilt. Ill. by Jerry Pinkney. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers, 1985. ISBN 9780803700970

PLOT SUMMARY
In The Patchwork Quilt a young girl named Tanya observes how her aging grandmother carefully saves fabric from her family’s life and utilizes it in the creation of a quilt. Tanya learns how each square of fabric represents a family memory as she spends time with her grandmother. Before the quilt is finished, her grandmother falls ill and Tanya decides to take over the important work. Tanya’s grandmother gradually recovers, completes the quilt, and presents it as a gift to Tanya. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Flourney and Pinkney have teamed up to tell a story that celebrates family traditions and the joy and importance of remembering the past. 

Flourney uses dialogue throughout the book as a way to give insight into each character. Tanya’s youth and energy are expressed through her words throughout the book, like when she asked her grandmother what she was “gonna do” with her “stuff.” Likewise, her grandmother’s traditional southern dialect was represented in the way she addressed her granddaughter throughout the book as “honey” and exclaims “hush, child” when exasperated. 

Detailed writing give the reader the opportunity to experience Tanya’s family as an insider. The reader is allowed to listen in to conflict when grandmother reprimand’s mama after she takes the role of caring for an aging parent too far. The reader also gets to experience the mundane with the family- eating homemade biscuits, making snow angels in the yard, and drinking hot chocolate. Finally, the reader gets to peek at a few of the family’s traditions- including their Christmas celebration. While Flourney’s engaging dialogue and descriptive style of writing serve to add incredible insight, the book may be too lengthy for audiences in younger grade levels. 

Pinkney uses detailed pencil and watercolor illustrations to add dimension to Flourney’s text. Pastel colors give the book warmth and welcome the reader to to notice the many subtle details. The 1980s time period of the story is clearly defined through the illustrations.  Careful attention has been given to ensuring that each character displays their individuality, in the varying shades of brown skin, differing styles of clothing, and various textures of hair styles. The true genius of Pinkney’s illustrations is found in the very realistic and expressive faces of Tanya’s family. Detailed emotions play across the faces of each family member, making each illustration seem like a candid moment in the family’s lives. 

The Patchwork Quilt is a sentimental glimpse into one African-American family. The universal theme of family and personal heritage is honored through the individual story of a child named Tanya.

AWARDS AND REVIEW EXCERPTS
The Christopher Award

Corretta Scott King Award

Booklist: “a comforting sense of strong family bonds”

Kirkus Reviews: “Pinkney's pictures glow softly and abound in loving smiles.”

CONNECTIONS
Have each student create a patch that represents themselves and then “stitch” them together to create a classroom quilt!

Accompany The Patchwork Quilt with poems about peace and illustrations made of actual quilts.
Hines, Anna Grossnickle. Peaceful Pieces: Poems and Quilts About Peace. ISBN: 9780805089967

Read other books about families, quilts, and the act of remembering!
Mills, Lauren. The Rag Coat. ISBN: 9780316574075
Polacco, Patricia. The Keeping Quilt.  ISBN: 9780153052125
Stroud, Bettye. The Patchwork Path: A Quilt to Freedom. ISBN: 9780763635190

Let's Talk About Race (Julius Lester)

Lester, Julius. Let’s Talk About Race. Ill. by Karen Barbour. China: Harper Collins, 2005. ISBN 0060285982

PLOT SUMMARY

Let’s Talk About Race is an interactive and casual conversation between author and reader. Lester introduces himself and his life’s story to the reader and questions the reader on his or her story. Lester describes how race is a piece of everyone’s individual story and while important, it does not define someone. He directly discusses problems that occur when one race, gender, or socioeconomic status claims superiority and encourages readers to imagine a world where similarities are recognized and differences are celebrated.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Julius Lester has written a joyful book that will encourage a respectful dialogue amongst children over their differences, including race, gender, language, religion, and family income. This book is meant to be read aloud with occasional pauses for discussion and activity. The text asks numerous questions and even asks children to find a partner and touch each other's bones in order to reveal humanity's sameness underneath the skin. Students will love the way the book encourages them to think, talk, and move around.

The text’s relaxed tone is a welcome approach to the sometimes intimidating topic of race. Lester acknowledges the important similarities between all humans  and how these similarities connect us together. This concept is underscored by symbolic illustrations of life, friendship, the human soul, and enlightenment through the reappearance of trees, koi, and butterflies, and eyes throughout the book’s pages. 

Just as important to the book, however, is the fact that the illustrations and text recognize and celebrate the many differences between people. Lester tells his own story, letting readers know that he is a black, Jewish man who is from the United States and loves eating fish. Karen Barbour uses her warm, exuberant paintings to celebrate differences. A myriad of skin tones, hair types, clothing styles, facial features, and body shapes are used to represent cultures and races from across the globe. The combination of Lester’s skillful use of language and Barbour’s soulful illustrations create an affirming book for all children.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

BookList: “interactive text that is clearly meant to generate discussion”

Kirkus Reviews: “lighthearted, avuncular tone and vivid art combine to make a surprisingly effective package”

Publisher’s Weekly: “presents the wealth of human difference as a treasure trove for discovery”

School Library Journal: “The pairing of text and dazzling artwork is flawless.”

CONNECTIONS

After reading Let’s Talk About Race, have students write down their personal stories and work together to create a class book that celebrates every student.

Read other books that encourage students to recognize their own unique, important perspective.

Browne, Anthony. Voices In The Park. ISBN: 9780789481917

Fox, Mem. Whoever You Are. ISBN: 9780152060305

Katz, Karen. The Colors of Us. ISBN: 9780805071634

Try doing an author study on Julius Lester and sample his wide variety of books. Here are a few picture book recommendations to get students started.

Lester, Julius. Black Cowboy, Wild Horses: A True Story. ISBN: 9780803717879

Lester, Julius. From Slave Ship, To Freedom. ISBN: 9780140566697

Lester, Julius. The Hungry Ghosts. ISBN: 9780803725133

Lester, Julius. John Henry. ISBN: 9780140566222

Lester, Julius. What a Truly Cool World. ISBN: 9780590864688