Story Collection Pink, Del Sol Books

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Story Collection Pink, Rey Del Sol, Del Sol Books, Del Sol University

Bajo las palmas reales
Under the Royal Palms
Under the Royal Palms is also included in Island Treasures, along with Where the Flame Trees Bloom

Pura Belpre Award Winning Book in 2000 for Narrative
American Library Association, Best Books of the Year 2000
Center for Latin American Studies, America�s Commended List
National Council of Teachers of English, Notable Book in the Area of Language Arts

In this companion volume to Alma Flor Ada's "Where the Flame Trees Bloom", the author offers young readers another inspiring collection of stories and reminiscences drawn from her childhood on the island of Cuba. Through those stories we see how the many events and relationships she enjoyed helped shape who she is today. We learn of a deep friendship with a beloved dance teacher that helped sustain young Alma Flor through a miserable year in school. We meet relatives, like her mysterious Uncle Manolo, whose secret, she later learns, is that he dedicated his life to healing lepers. We share the tragedy of another uncle whose spirited personality leads to his love of flying...and the crash that takes his life. Heartwarming, poignant, and often humorous, this collection encourages children to discover the stories in their our own lives -- stories that can help inform their own values and celebrate the joys and struggles we all share no matter where or when we grew up.

The Pura Belpr� Award honors Latino writers and illustrators whose work best portrays, affirms and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in a children's book. Alma Flor Ada was named the winner of the Belpr� Author Award for Under the Royal Palms: A Childhood in Cuba, published by Atheneum Books. The award was announced January 17, 2000 during the American Library Association (ALA) Midwinter Meeting in San Antonio. The award is administered by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of ALA, and REFORMA, the National Association to Promote Library Services to the Spanish Speaking.

Listen to Vienna Rose read Under the Royal Palms to you. A marvelous example of the magical encounter between a child and books that we wish for all children. And here's an earlier reading by Vienna Rose.

Story Collection Pink, Rey Del Sol, Del Sol Books, Del Sol University Powells : In this companion volume to Alma Flor Ada's Where the Flame Trees Bloom, the author offers young readers another inspiring collection of stories and reminiscences drawn from her childhood on the island of Cuba. Through those stories we see how the many events and relationships she enjoyed helped shape who she is today. We learn of a deep friendship with a beloved dance teacher that helped sustain young Alma Flor through a miserable year in school. We meet relatives, like her mysterious Uncle Manolo, whose secret, she later learns, is that he dedicated his life to healing lepers. We share the tragedy of another uncle whose spirited personality leads to his love of flying...and the crash that takes his life. Heartwarming, poignant, and often humorous, this collection encourages children to discover the stories in their our own lives � stories that can help inform their own values and celebrate the joys and struggles we all share no matter where or when we grew up. Synopsis : The author recalls her life and impressions growing up in Cuba. In this companion volume to Alma Flor Ada's Where the Flame Trees Bloom, the author offers young readers another inspiring collection of stories and reminiscences drawn from her childhood on the island of Cuba. Through those stories we see how the many events and relationships she enjoyed helped shape who she is today. We learn of a deep friendship with a beloved dance teacher that helped sustain young Alma Flor through a miserable year in school. We meet relatives, like her mysterious Uncle Manolo, whose secret, she later learns, is that he dedicated his life to healing lepers. We share the tragedy of another uncle whose spirited personality leads to his love of flying...and the crash that takes his life. Heartwarming, poignant, and often humorous, this collection encourages children to discover the stories in their our own lives � stories that can help inform their own values and celebrate the joys and struggles we all share no matter where or when we grew up.

Publishers Weekly : In this handsomely designed companion volume to Where the Flame Trees Bloom, Ada once again draws upon her experiences growing up in post-war Cuba. In a short introduction, the author describes her hometown, Camaguey, as a "city of contrasts" diverse religions and education and economic levels ("some had so much and others had very little"). The 10 stories that follow do not focus on these oppositions so much as the unique experiences of young Alma and her extended family. Several memories poignantly expose the disparity between those who have and those who have not, such as "Explorers," in which young Alma and her cousin get lost in a marabu field and are aided and fed by a poverty-stricken family. Others illustrate life lessons (for example, the impossible but gleeful task of counting bats in flight for their nightly feeding taught Alma to appreciate the process of an endeavor, rather than its completion). But the best of these stories simply recreate a poignant or humorous moment from the author's girlhood: Alma sipping from a porron (a small clay pot) at school, lovingly filled with water by her mother; Alma's pride in her uncle's daring turning to grief when he dies in an airplane crash. Many of the stories stand well alone, but some take a meandering expository path to recount a history or explain a term. These more formal (though often graceful) tangents distance readers from the slices of life. Still, at the core of the collection, there is a heartfelt portrayal of a quickly disappearing culture and a vastly beautiful land. Ages 8-12.

Story Collection Pink, Rey Del Sol, Del Sol Books, Del Sol University

School Library Journal : Grade 4-7-This simple and graceful reminiscence of a childhood in Cuba in the 1940s is a companion to Where the Flame Trees Bloom (Atheneum, 1994). Although not wealthy, the author's family lived comfortably with aunts, uncles, and cousins in a large, shared family home in the small town of Camaguey. Here any event beyond the ordinary became the focus of everyone's attention and the fuel for many days of conversation. Each chapter includes an early memory or experience of Ada's: nursing the baby bats that fell onto her porch, the production of simple and inexpensive plaster figures for nativity scenes, etc. The author writes about the contrast of wealth and poverty in her country at that time and of the people who made an impression on her, including a ballet teacher who befriended her during a lonely year in a new school, and an uncle and aunt who worked with lepers. Her observations of people lead to a series of revelations that shaped her life. Black-and-white photographs of the author and her family appear throughout.

The New York Times Book Review : The success of ''Under the Royal Palms: A Childhood in Cuba,'' the companion volume to Alma Flor Ada's ''Where the Flame Trees Bloom,'' derives in no small part from its appeal to adults as well as children. The author, a professor of multicultural education at the University of San Francisco who has written a number of children's books, understands that to get to a child's bedroom shelves, often a book must first enchant choosy adults to buy it. And enchant this one does. The slim, handsome book is divided into 10 chapters, each a self-contained story about Ada's childhood half a century ago in Camaguey, a city in the province of the same name in the center of Cuba, known as the cradle of great poets and courageous freedom fighters. The stories and the endearing black-and-white photographs of her family are woven into a greater theme: everything Ada learned about life, she explains, she learned in her small town, surrounded by family and nature. Although this feels preachy at times, most parents would surely not mind the lessons. For instance, after telling how she spent childhood evenings trying to count bats with her loving grandmother, she draws an eminently sensible conclusion that could easily be applied to many an apparently vain effort: ''On the many occasions when I have later felt that I am once more trying to count bats, engaged in an impossible task, I have allowed myself to laugh, happy to remember that some of the best things in life are like counting bats: it was never the final count that mattered, but rather the joy of seeing them fly.''

Kirkus Reviews : Of books comprising nuggets of memory there seems to be no end, and in a companion volume to her Where the Flame Trees Bloom (1994, not reviewed), Ada recounts small stories of growing up in the town of in Camagey, Cuba. She captures with some feeling the powerful effect of scent on memory: night jasmine, coffee, ylang-ylang, and her grandmother's perfume of lavender and sage. She immortalizes sibling hurts and uncles' gifts, and writes of the childhood mystery of adult conversations partially overheard and partially understood. She is rich in family, attempting with her grandmother the impossible task of counting bats as they fly, and smashing her favorite doll when her dashing uncle dies in a plane crash. She is rich in memories of other adults, too: Madame Marie, a French-Jewish refugee; Gilda, a dance teacher, whose affection carried Ada through an impossible year at school. Some repetition does not detract, and children might be moved by Ada's exhortation to consider their own family stories.

CLASP : Alma Flor Ada offers stories about Cuba that would not otherwise be available to those of us living in the United States. This collection provides the reader with a close look at an active and loving extended family. It chronicles events that would probably stand out for lots of children growing up throughout history and across geographical boundaries: living in different houses, in the city and in the country... and the tragic death of a beloved young uncle. This volume provides information on a prolific author that is accessible and helpful to readers studying Latino writers."

Booktalks : Who knows where Cuba is? Alma Flor Ada takes us to Cuba and describes her memories as a little girl there. You will feel like you are right there feeling everything she is. As you read you will be able to see the photos of her family and friends which make it come to life even more. We all have fun times in our lives and we also have tragedies happen. Alma Flor Ada describes her Uncle's plane crash and I thought I was right there. To see what Cuba is like and Alma's memories of her childhood you must read "Under the Royal Palms" by Alma Flor Ada.

Amalia deals with loss while learning about love and her cultural heritage in this tender tale from acclaimed authors Alma Flor Ada and Gabriel M. Zubizarreta. Amalia�s best friend Martha is moving away, and Amalia is feeling sad and angry. And yet, even when life seems unfair, the loving, wise words of Amalia�s abuelita have a way of making everything a little bit brighter. Amalia finds great comfort in times shared with her grandmother: cooking, listening to stories and music, learning, and looking through her treasured box of family cards. But when another loss racks Amalia�s life, nothing makes sense anymore. In her sorrow, will Amalia realize just how special she is, even when the ones she loves are no longer near? From leading voices in Hispanic literature, this thoughtful and touching depiction of one girl�s transition through loss and love is available in both English and Spanish.

School Library Journal Gr 3-5-Amalia is upset when her best friend announces that she is moving from Chicago to California. When Martha leaves, Amalia turns to her grandmother for comfort. It is in her kitchen and at her table that the child learns not only about her family and her Mexican heritage, but also about herself. As Abuelita shares her Christmas-card ritual with her granddaughter, Amalia is given glimpses of her aunts and uncles and her mother, and notices the care that Abuelita takes in her communication and responses with everyone. It's quite the the opposite of how Amalia treated Martha at the time of her move. When her grandmother dies suddenly, the child feels lost. Her extended family, whom she has heard so much about, is suddenly around, but instead of making her feel better, she feels worse. Through flashbacks, readers see just how close Amalia was to Abuelita and how much she relied on her for comfort and advice. Over time, with the help of the cherished Christmas-card box, she begins to heal, and by recalling Abuelita's words and deeds, she begins to reach out to her family members, and to Martha as well. This story utilizes a special intergenerational relationship to introduce Mexican culture and traditions within the themes of changing family and friendships. Spanish words and phrases are woven into the text. While it does not break new ground, this quiet story may provide a different perspective on the loss of a loved one.

Kirkus Reviews : Ada and Zubizarreta (Dancing Home, 2011) reunite to focus on a young Latina girl coping with loss�. The authors tackle issues of love, loss and familial ties with a sympathetic, light hand and blend Spanish words and Latino music and recipes into Amalia�s tale. A charming story, especially for children facing the loss of grandparents.�

�Horn Book Magazine : With sensitively drawn characters and a low-key story moving between present and past, the authors construct a portrait of a multigenerational immigrant family. The Latino culture of the family is reflected in the cooking the two do together, the memories Abuelita Story Collection Pink, Rey Del Sol, Del Sol Books, Del Sol University passes on, and all the letters she has kept from distant loved ones.�

Publishers Weekly : Ada and Zubizaretta�s (Dancing Home)�collaboration focuses on the deep bond between Mexican-American sixth-grader Amalia and her grandmother�. The authors successfully depict family love and closeness across generations and distances�. In the final chapters�the book�takes on an authentic emotional poignancy, bringing a closing richness to this story of a girl�s first experience of loss.�

�Booklist : Latina sixth-grader Amalia is so upset by her best friend Martha�s move from their Chicago neighborhood to California that she can�t even say good-bye. When her beloved abuelita passes away suddenly a few days later, she doesn�t even have the chance to say good-bye�.Sprinkled with Spanish words and phrases, this quiet story charmingly emphasizes the importance of both friendship and intergenerational relationships. It concludes with simple recipes for making some of Abuelita�s favorite desserts.�

Con Carino Amalia Reading Group Guide : http://books. simonandschuster.net/Con- carino-Amalia-%28Love-Amalia% 29/Alma-Flor-Ada/ 9781442424050/reading_group_ guide

Love Amalia Reading Group Guide : http://books. simonandschuster.net/Love- Amalia/Alma-Flor-Ada/ 9781442424029/reading_group_ guide

American Federation of Teachers' Color�n Colorado's Website, Featured Book of the Month
Kirkus Review, List of 100 Best Children�s Books
Literary Guild Award
New York Public Library, List of Best Children�s Books
Nick Jr. Magazine, List of Best Children�s Books
Parent�s Choice Recommended Children�s Books

Authors' Note : Writing Tales Our Abuelitas Told was for me a way of honoring my extraordinary grand mother, Dolores Salvador, as well as and an expression of love and hope for my nine grandchildren, as I have expressed in my dedication. I am sure it means some thing very similar for Isabel, whose dedication is to her great-nephew Pablito. We are very grateful that these beloved tales are being so well received assuring that their continue to live for all children. Traditional tales open our hearts to old voices and new worlds, to wondrous adventures and ever lasting feelings. Words like Hab�a una vez or �rase que se era, hold for the listener or reader the magic promise of enchantment. The stories retold Tales Our Abuelitas Told or, in the Spanish version Cuentos que contaban nuestras abuelas, reflect the diversity of our culture: some developed in Latin America from Indigenous roots, others had their origin in Africa or in various regions of Spain and go back to the Hebrew, Arabic or Basque traditions. Their settings may be Mexico or the Southwest, Puerto Rico, Cuba or the Amazon among many others. They all keep children spellbound. Stories like these enriched our childhood and left our ima ination for ever open to new discoveries, to the daring possibility of dreaming better worlds. Words like �happily ever after� got trans formed into lives in search of understanding and compassion, lives devoted to pro mote access and equality for all, social justice, and peace.

Listen to Vienna Rose read Tales Our Abuelitas Told to you. A marvelous example of the magical encounter between a child and books that we wish for all children. And here's the book's introduction read to you by Vienna Rose. And here's an earlier reading by Vienna Rose.

From Catalina the Fox : "Stop, you rascal!" shouted Catalina, the fox, as she saw Mart�n, the wolf, rushing out of her orchard. Once again he has been stealing her reddest apples, her sweetest pears, her freshest eggs, and her fattest hen -- all the while laughing as he escaped. "Someday that wolf is going to get it!" Catalina muttered to herself. Catalina was so angry that she decided to go for a walk to calm herself. As she walked along the road, she saw a man approachng on a horse-drawn cart. She remembered much too well having been shot at by a man on a similar cart the previous fall. Since there was nowhere to hide, she thought the best way to avoid the trouble was to pretend to be dead. So she laid down by the side of the road. "A dead fox!" cried out the man in the cart. "I can use that fur." The man climbed down from his cart, took the fox by the tail, and swung her up on top of the fish barrels that he was taking to market. This was not exactly what the fox had planned, but she remembered her grandmother's advice: "Look for the good that is hidden inside every bad situation." The only good thing she could see were the sardines in the fish barrels beneath her.

School Library Journal : Grade 3 Up The introduction to this delightful collection explains clearly how stories develop and change over time; in fact, the two storytellers heard most of these amusing tales when they were children and have retold them many times since in their own unique styles. Each retelling is accompanied by a brief description of its origin. Included are tales about dancing goats, a turtle that outwits a deer, and a beetle that declares war on a cow; all of the selections are peppered with energetic dialogue and witty detail. Children will relish their humor, especially if read aloud, and teens will also enjoy this lively presentation. Traditional story beginnings and endings are provided in Spanish and translated into English, including one foreboding opening: In a land where you will go but from where you will never return. Four Latino artists provide an interesting variety of illustration. Featured images include a large goat head in a vegetable garden, a large farmer on a very small burro, and a wolf and fox all decked out in finery dancing together. The last page provides information about the authors and illustrators.

Booklist : The long chatty notes are as interesting as the 12 folktales in this anthology of stories retold by Ada and Campoy and illustrated by well-known Latino artists. The authors celebrate Hispanic culture and its many roots--indigenous, African, Spanish, Arab, Hebrew--assembling tales from as far afield as Spain and Idaho, and showing how the tales have transformed and influenced one another, and even how Ada and Campoy have changed them. The folklore universals are here: the kid who defeats his mean older brothers; the huge monster routed by an ant; and more. In "Blancaflor," the evil king's daughter and the young prince fulfill three tasks together and prove the power of love. The spacious book design will work well for both independent reading and reading aloud, and each story is illustrated with one or more full-page pictures in styles that match the stories--from busy and filled to bursting to light and airy.

Children's Literature : A six-page introduction welcomes readers and offers historical background into the ways that folktales originated and intermingled in all cultures. The twelve Hispanic tales actually have roots in many ancient traditions. The conversational tone continues into the retelling of the selected tales ranging in length from three to seventeen pages (including at least one full-page illustration for each). A few of the tales will seem somewhat familiar. "Dear Deer! Said the Turtle" is reminiscent of "The Tortoise and the Hare." "The Castle of Chuchurumbe" has a rhythm similar to "The House That Jack Built." Catalina the Fox could be related to Brer Rabbit. Other tales bring fresh, new perspectives. Pedro saves his family's corn and, eventually, finds great happiness because he befriends a little horse of seven colors and follows its advice. A caliph and his son discover the source of true happiness in unexpected places. Research and explanatory notes follow each tale. Colorful illustrations capture the mood of the narrative, often contributing to understanding of the text and adding humor. The artists are given individual recognition in the table of contents. A listing of traditional folk tale beginnings is provided in both Spanish and English in the front of the book. A similar listing of endings appears in the back. The large-style format lends itself well to both individual reading and group sharing.

Simon Brooks : I have gone into the studio to begin recording what is most likely to be called �More Second-hand Tales.� I know, amazingly original, isn�t it? For those who saw me over this summer, you might remember me telling the story �The Goat from the Hills and Mountains.� This tale was new to me this year and I have fallen in love with it. It is based on an Hispanic tale I found in a marvelous book called TALES OUR ABUELITAS TOLD by F. Isabel Campoy and Alma Flor Ada, published by Atheneum. I could not find an original source for the story, or any other version of it, so I approached the authors for permission to continue telling the tale and also for permission to record it, on this soon-to-be-made second CD. After a few emails with both writers I have permission to continue to tell the story AND record my version of Alma Flor Ada's version of this story which appears in the book. The book is wonderful, and there are many other great stories in there. If you are looking for a holiday gift to give someone this coming winter season, be it Christmas, Chanukah, Quanza, or any other holiday, or birthday even, then look this book over. It is not a �dry� folklore book, but a book filled with the life and vitality which makes Hispanic stories so wonderful. It is also illustrated in a style that captures the tales in a unique way that kids love. I know this as we have a copy of it at my library. Many thanks to Isabel and Alma for graciously allowing me to take this tale and put it on my second CD.

Author's Note : This book is a memoir written with anecdotes. It is the saga of an Italian-Argentine family, the Calandrelli family. They gave birth to talented, original people whose works became published, printed, played and recognized in Argentina, in Europe and in the United States. Their lives were lived in Buenos Aires, a bustling city even in the 1900, but with mores, beliefs and happenings that move from the innocent, to the humorous, to the terrifying. Throughout the book runs a thread of love and understanding of the values and prejudices of the times. Of this book, it was said: �Here, early encounters with prejudice are recounted with unflinching honesty and tales of immigration told with such timeless tenderness and thoughtful insight that they remain fully relevant to today�s world.� Among the characters in the book we find an aunt that makes magic, is a writer, a graphologist, an amateur astronomist and becomes a celebrated poet writing in French and in Spanish; an uncle who is a pianist and an inventor; a grandfather that is a well-known doctor, a musician, and a poet; a grandma, an artist, not an architect, that makes blue prints for a house she is set to build in the middle of nowhere; a mother that in her deathbed sees Death entering through a balcony, and a four-year-old musical genius that ends up in the United States with 25 Grammy nominations, two Grammys won, and two Oscars. Finally, the author of Sparkles and Shadows is the recipient of several awards, a performing artist, a singer and a songwriter with more than four hundred recorded songs. To make this saga more real, today, in the hills of Rome, in the Trastevere, one can see busts of members of the Calandrelli family with a nearby street named after them: Via Calandrelli. I, personally, must add that I wanted my children to know what kind of family they came from, what heritage they had behind, the makings of their DNA. Today, too many children have no roots, no relatives around that can remind them of who they are. With no known heritage behind, children look for a place to belong to, usually gangs or drugs. If we want strong families, strong children, that is, strong �trees,� we need to give them strong �roots.� A way to do that is by telling them the story of their families and when possible, keep alive their language and their culture.

Listen to Vienna Rose read Sparkles and Shadows to you. A marvelous example of the magical encounter between a child and books that we wish for all children.

Early encounters with prejudice and tales of immigration are told with unflinching honesty and with such untimeless tenderness and thoughtful insight that they remain fully relevant to our current curcumstances. Throughout this memoir, exposure to European culture never overshadows the powerful influence of folklore and the Argentine avant garde on the artist's childhood. - Lisa Stewart Garrison

Enchanted and profound, this book invites the reader to take part in the intimate experiences of the author. What makes her stories unfortgettable is the authenticity of the voice and the cadence of her word. A book to be treasured. - Dr. Alma Flor Ada

This author submerges us in a pleasant voyage of discovery of the intimate, fragile, and subtle of the human experience. Then, she invites our hearts to a big laugh by introducing us to situations unthinkable in 20th Century Argentina. Suni Paz offers these flowers of her passion to our enjoyment and, surprisingly, to our reflection. A magnificent book! - F. Isabel Campoy

How good to find once in a while such a special book. After reading many autobiographical stories Suni's appeared, filled with a million histories, told with clear and involving language. Her work reunites the indispensable prerequisites to a good reading and transports us to our own history. - Clarita Kohen Klieman

�Here, early encounters with prejudice are recounted with unflinching honesty and tales of immigration told with such timeless tenderness and thoughtful insight that they remain fully relevant to today�s world.� Lisa Stewart Garrison, New Jersey

Dear Suni, I just wrote you a long letter. Mostly, I was saying how much I enjoyed the book and talking about certain passages that were special for me, like Tiasu's (your aunt�s) childrearing methods (your first job, the bottle of anise); Martina and how beautifully you wrote about your friendship and your sadness; the unshakable determination of your brother Jorge. I really felt your respect and love for people in your life. It is a series of vignettes, and they each stand on their own. I know you have the right to choose what to include in your book but I had questions though. I wanted more information about your relationship with your mother in order to appreciate the meaning of the chapter when you were taking care of her. It is poignant that the times when you could have her as a child were when you were sick and then it was she who was sick and you who were there for her. The fact that it was mostly Tiasu who raised you makes me feel that you were very fortunate to have your aunt and that it was sad that you lost touch with her. I also loved your camaraderie with her and that she shared her writing with you. I would like to buy a Spanish copy from you. I'm so glad I will get to see you (hopefully) next month. Here, we're all fine. Have a very happy new year.� Mara Goodman, New York

Dear Suni, I�ve just read your book and enjoyed it through and through. I will order it in Spanish when I return to San Diego and read it again. The clarity and intensity of your descriptions drew me in without a moments hesitation. I loved the moments you chose to share and the compassion with which you offered them� Let me know if you are in the San Diego area in the spring, I will be there visiting� � Hugs, Sarah Livia, London

�Dearest Suni, I have been thinking about you so much�your beautiful work and your beautiful spirit! I can�t wait to receive the book. Will it include a CD of your music? In Spanish I hope.� Sheri Ritchlin, California

�Encantador y profundo, este libro invita al lector a tomar parte en las intimas experiencias de la autora. Ya sea dolor o lucha, juego o ingenio lo que sus p�ginas comparten, lo que las hacen inolvidables es la autenticidad de la voz y la cadencia de sus palabras. Un libro para ser atesorado�. Alma Flor Ada, California

�Esta autora nos sumerge en un placentero viaje de descubrimiento de lo �ntimo, lo fr�gil y lo sutil de la experiencia humana. Y luego, invita a nuestro coraz�n a una inmensa carcajada simplemente bosquejando situaciones impensables del siglo XX en Argentina. Suni Paz nos ofrece estas flores de su pasi�n para nuestro disfrute e insospechadamente para la reflexi�n. Un libro magn�fico.� Francisca Isabel Campoy, California

��Qu� bueno tropezarse de vez en cuando con una obra tan especial. Despu�s de leer unos cuantos cuentos autobiogr�ficos aparecen los de Suni Paz, con una historia que contiene mil historias. Contada con un lenguaje claro y envolvente, su obra re�ne los requisitos indispensables para pasar un buen momento y transportarnos a nuestra propia historia�. Clarita Kohen Klieman, California

�Hola Suni: �C�mo est�s? Te escribo mientras voy en la mitad de tu libro. No lo he soltado cuando pude agarrarlo. Ando embebida en esa ni�a tan l�cida y determinada. Desde que te conoc� me pareci� que algo muy fuerte emerg�a de tu personalidad y ahora lo confirmo. Despu�s te cuento m�s cuando lo termine. Voy a seguir ahora entre la fascinante Tiasu, las exquisitas citas de Atahualpa Yupanqui... en fin� Espero t� est�s bien y sigas escribiendo para seres como yo, que ante la imposibilidad de recordar la ni�ez, revivimos como en reminiscencias la p�rdida de otro anillo, otra aventura llena de animalitos amados... t�as, o compa�eras de escuela admirables. As� que despu�s te escribo otra vez cuando lo acabe�algunos libros dan pena que se terminen�. Mariana Montes Shaw, California

�Hola, Suni: Te escribo de nuevo, ya que he terminado de leer tu libro. Me gust� mucho. Evidentemente tienes gran vena de escritora porque has transmitido en esos cuentos algo muy v�vido. He llorado y re�do. La elecci�n de los dos cuentos finales y su contenido, me impresionaron mucho... Hasta he esbozado alg�n escrito contagiada del relato autobiogr�fico, memorioso�� Mariana Montes Shaw, California

�Hola, Suni: Con respecto a tu libro, te cuento que cuando lo le�, creo que te coment� que me gust� mucho. Me encantaron las escenas de tu hermano Mat�as cuid�ndote en la escalera de la casa de la calle Paraguay, y luego m�s adelante otra escena de Juan, tu hijo, cuidando de su hermanito Ramiro con una espada al lado de otra escalera, todo con im�genes muy ricas y descripciones que me gustaron mucho. Me acord� de la casa de Tula, a la que creo que yo fui algunas veces�� Leo Sicardi, psic�logo, sobrino de Suni

Marta Salotti Gold Medal, International Award for Children�s Literature, Buenos Aires, Argentina

This suspense-filled mystery is set in the Middle Ages, during the construction of the Cathedral of Burgos. Three young friends succeed in capturing some thieves in this award-winning story that includes themes of friendship and trust, discrimination and prejudice, and bilingualism/biculturalism. After reading this book, your students will view the advantage of speaking several languages in a new light. Black and white illustrations by Kitty Lorefice de Passalia. (4-12).

American Booksellers Association, Pick of the List
Center for Latin American Studies, America�s Commended List
National Council of Social Studies and the Children�s Book Council, Notable Book in the Area of Social Studies

Publishers Weekly : Armed with her new blue bookbag, Maria Isabel bravely faces her first day at a new school. But when she meets her new teacher, she is told there are already two other Marias in the class. "Why don't we call you Mary instead?" her teacher suggests, unaware that Maria was named for both her grandmothers, a grandfather and her father. Maria's inability to respond to "Mary" leads to more problems. Simply told, this story combines the struggle of a Puerto Rican family's efforts to improve their life with a shared sense of pride in their heritage. The author's carefully drawn characterizations avoid stereotypes, thus increasing their appeal and believability. An essay involving a wish list gives Maria a chance to reclaim her name, and allows her teacher to make amends. Abetted by Thompson's straightforward black-and-white drawings, this contemporary tale serves as a good reminder that no two names are really alike. Ages 7-10.

Watch or Listen to Vienna Rose read My Name is Maria Isabel to you. A marvelous example of the magical encounter between a child and books that we wish for all children. And here's an earlier reading by Vienna Rose, and an even earlier reading.

School Library Journal : Grade 3-4 This gentle story tells of Maria Isabel Salazar Lopez, who finds herself dubbed "Mary Lopez" when her family moves and she is placed in a class with two other Marias. Maria Isabel finds it hard to respond to a name that does not seem like hers. Her teacher doesn't understand why it is so difficult for her to answer to "Mary" until the child is inspired to address her paper on "My Greatest Wish" to the topic of her name. The result is not only a happy ending, but also an affirming study of heritage and how it is integrally bound up in an individual's sense of self. The brief text, adequately extended by line drawings, reads aloud well and could certainly be used in conjunction with Gary Soto's The Skirt (Delacorte, 1992) to illustrate the Hispanic culture that is part of the lives of many contemporary children.

Kirkus Reviews : When Maria Isabel Salazar Lopez's family moves, there are already two Marias in her new class, so the teacher decides to call her Mary Lopez. Since she doesn't readily recognize this new name, Maria Isabel is continually scolded for being inattentive; worse, her pride in being named for her grandmothers is dishonored. Maria Isabel's reluctance to assert her wish to be called by her full name involves her in an apparent web of deception when she doesn't get a part in a pageant (she doesn't recognize her name when the teacher is assigning roles) but lets her parents believe she'll participate. Fortunately, an essay assignment provides a solution: she finds the courage to write that her ``greatest wish is to be called Maria Isabel Salazar Lopez,'' clearly explaining her reasons; and her teacher responds generously to her plea. Cuban author Ada (The Gold Coin, 1991) captures the authentic flavor of Latino culture in this warm, yet never sentimental, story: an entire family genealogy is encapsulated in a Latino name, as well as special connections between its bearer and the relatives for whom she was named. Presented in realistic terms, Maria Isabel's struggles will ring true to many children in the US.

Amazon : For Mar�a Isabel Salazar L�pez, the hardest thing about being the new girl in school is that the teacher doesn't call her by her real name. "We already have two Mar�as in this class," says her teacher. "Why don't we call you Mary instead?" But Mar�a Isabel has been named for her Pap�'s mother and for Chabela, her beloved Puerto Rican grandmother. Can she find a way to make her teacher see that if she loses her name, she's lost the most important part of herself?

Karla Rodriguez : This chapter book is about a little girl, Maria Isabel, who has to go through the usual challenges of being a new student. Her biggest problem, however, is to be called Mary Lopez by her teacher instead of the name she was born with and is supremely proud of-Maria Isabel Salazar Sanchez. To her, this name has so much meaning because of her grandparents and feels that it is one of the most important aspects about her. Throughout the book she struggles to find the courage to stand up for the way she feels and to be understood by her teacher. I like this book because it highlights the Hispanic culture which allows Latino students to feel empowered but also encourages respect and acceptance of other cultures since they are focused on as well. I also like that the book revolves around the issue of valuing student�s names and cultures and that it helps students and teachers to realize that these are extremely important aspects of a person that should be respected and understood. Currently, I am using Maria Isabel for a book club and will use it to teach literacy while integrating social studies, math, art, and issues of social justice. Social studies ideas: studying Puerto Rican people who have made a change in society, learning about Puerto Rico�s relationship with the United States. Literacy ideas:character analysis, reading comprehension strategies, learning of literary elements, persuasive writing, text to self connections, text to text connections. Math ideas:graphing the increase of Maria Isabel�s courage throughout the book. Social justice ideas: exploring their own identities (all of these students are of Hispanic culture), exploring methods of how they can be courageous, learning and exploring other cultures, learning about the importance of their names and culture, exploring and accepting other people�s holidays and traditions, teaching children conflict/resolution/communication strategies Arts ideas:creating a web of problems and how to get out of it and performing Amahl. Ways in which it falls in the domains of sje: 1. Children of Hispanic culture are encouraged to love and accept themselves. 2. Various cultures are represented in the book and encourage acceptance of other�s cultures, traditions, and holidays. 3. This book deals with racism and oppression. 4. The method in which Maria Isabel stands up for herself is through a courage driven, detailed essay to the teacher describing why her culture is so important and why devaluing her name and culture is like overlooking the biggest part of her. Students will see how these small social movements can easily be done within the classroom community. 5. This book doesn�t directly apply to this domain. This book can easily connect to the literacy curricular unit but not limited to the subjects that have been mentioned above.

Erin : Written in Spanish, but also available in English under the title My Name is Maria Isabel, this sixty-page novel tells the story of a young girl and her struggles to adjust after moving from Puerto Rico to a school in New York that allowed students to learn in Spanish to a school in which she was expected to speak only English. Ada clearly marks this transition with a teacher who changes Mar�a Isabel's name to Mary, a distressing and confusing change for the child. Through this text, Alma Flor Ada, a native of Cuba, shares the daily life of a Puerto Rican family without preaching or prescribing. The plot is simple and uncrowded, told in the uncomplicatedly elegant language of a young girl finding her place in a new environment. I am concerned that it is set in New York, as so many books about Chicanos and Rique�os seem to be (there is even a term for Puerto Ricans in and around NYC: Nuyorican), but as this experience should resonate with many students who have lived in or visited family in New York, I am putting it in the category of generalization instead of stereotype. Overall, this is a text that I would be proud to stock in my classroom or hand to colleagues who wonder how their students from other countries feel.

Mrs Jimenez : Discussion: I would start out saying: Class today we are going to talk about names. Does anyone know how they got their name? I would wait for a response. Tell class: Do you like your name? Did you know that there are different kinds of names?
How would I teach this lesson? Class we are going to make an acrostic poem. An acrostic poem is writing you name and writing things that symbolize you with each letter of your first name. I have already prepared one for the class. I will be passed around so everyone can take a look at the acrostic poem. When everyone is finished we will discuss them. Later, today I will start reading a book called, My name is Maria Isabel (2 chapters per day).
How would I re-teach the lesson? I would have my students� look up their own names in a name dictionary. Once they have written some information for their names, as a class, we would discuss them one at a time.

A year of discoveries culminates in a performance full of surprises, as two girls find their own way to belong. Mexico may be her parents� home, but it�s certainly not Margie�s. She has finally convinced the other kids at school she is one-hundred percent American�just like them. But when her Mexican cousin Lupe visits, the image she�s created for herself crumbles. Things aren�t easy for Lupe, either. Mexico hadn�t felt like home since her father went North to find work. Lupe�s hope of seeing him in the United States comforts her some, but learning a new language in a new school is tough. Lupe, as much as Margie, is in need of a friend. Little by little, the girls� individual steps find the rhythm of one shared dance, and they learn what �home� really means. In the tradition of My Name is Maria Isabel�and simultaneously published in English and in Spanish�Alma Flor Ada and her son Gabriel M. Zubizarreta offer an honest story of family, friendship, and the classic immigrant experience: becoming part of something new, while straying true to who you are.

Kirkus Reviews : Two cousins, one born in Texas and the other in Mexico, learn the importanceof family and friendship. As an only child living in California with her Mexican-American parents, Margie Ceballos-Gonz�lez is proud to be American. Everything changes when her cousin Lupe Gonz�lez leaves her mother, stepfather and half-brothers in Mexico to live with Margie and her parents. Years before, Lupe�s father had moved to the United States for work and then disappeared. Margie and Lupe areboth in fifth grade at the same school, and Lupe�s presence immediately draws exactly the sort of attention Margie has been trying to avoid. At home, she finds herself competing for attention as her parents welcome Lupe with Mexican foods and Spanish conversation. Sensing her cousin�s dilemma, Lupe finds ways to help Margie appreciate their shared Mexican heritage. Margie thaws, even realizing the beauty of her name, Margarita, which came from one ofher mother�s favorite flowers, the daisy. The third-person narration shifts its focus gently from girl to girl, allowing readers access to their thoughts and feelings. The authors also connect Nicaraguan poet Rub�n Dar�o�s�A Margarita� to the story, and the full poem follows the novel inboth Spanish and English. Although sometimes wise beyond their years, Margie and Lupe will charm readers as each girl struggles for belonging and acceptance in this realistic novel. (Fiction. 8-12)

School Library Journal : Gr 3-6�Margie is proud to be an American, born in the United States. Her parents were born in Mexico and so was her cousin, Lupe, who has come to stay with Margie�s family in California. At first Margie is excited, but that enthusiasm dissipates when Lupe is placed in her classroom. She doesn�t speak English, and Margie�s teacher expects her to translate for her. A couple of classroom bullies seem bent on belittling the cousins� heritage. Margie is relieved when Lupe is transferred to a bilingual class, leaving a desk near her for the newest classmate, Camille. The girlsbecome great friends. When they�re given a journal assignment, Camille models what it�s like to have a passion as she thinks, researches, and writes about dolphins. Lupe stays after school to learn folkloric dances, and the book concludes with a performance that helps Margie understand how American she isand how her Mexican heritage fits into her identity. This story will assist readers in embracing their own heritage and developing an appreciation fortheir classmates� backgrounds. It�s an enjoyable offering (and a great read-aloud) that will capture readers� attention and have them rooting for the cousins and their friendships and family relationships. A Spanish-language edition, Nacer Bailando, is available simultaneously.

Booklist : Ten-year-old Margie has spent her entire life trying to fit in�to pass as anAmerican�despite the fact that her parents were born in Mexico. Then, herMexican cousin Lupe comes to live with them, and her plan goes awry. At first, she resents Lupe for her foreign ways and for monopolizingher parents� attention; later, she comes to love Lupe as a sister andappreciate the Mexican part of her heritage. Margie begins to master Spanish, enjoys celebrating Navidad, and participates in a Cinco de Mayofolklorico dance at school. Ada, the author of many multicultural titles,including Tales Our Abuelitas Told: A Hispanic Folktale Collection (2006), and Zubizarreta write knowingly of the difficulties of a life lived in two cultures. A subplot involving Lupe�s father (who came to America illegally and later abandoned his family) is also well handled, as is the inclusion of a Ruben Dario poem,�To Margarita.� Give this to fans of Pam Mu�oz Ryan�s Esperanza Rising (2000)and Becoming Naomi Leon (2004).

New York Times : Bilingualism and biculturalism are central to �Dancing Home,� by Alma Flor Ada and Gabriel M. Zubizarreta, which is being published in both English and Spanish, and tells the story of a fifth grader, Margie, Texas-born, California-reared and determined to be American at any cost. Her assimilation is challenged when her mother, Consuelo, obtains a visa for Lupe, Margie�s cousin from Mexico. Lupe, also in fifth grade, is a math whiz, but she doesn�t speak English, and everything about her embarrasses Margie, who is less than welcoming. Lupe is the daughter of Consuelo�s brother, an illegal immigrant who has disappeared. �Dancing Home� doesn�t shy from any of the harsher truths about life for Mexican immigrants: Consuelo tells Lupe that her father may be in debt to coyotes who help people cross the border illegally for a great price. His silence may be the result of his living in difficult circumstances. In the classroom, the taunts that Margie fears about immigrants are spoken without hesitation even as Ada and �Zubizarreta � who are mother and son � make clear that Margie�s parents came to the United States legally and that Lupe can travel safely with a student visa. But it is the friendship between the girls and the tall, blond Camille (also a secret Latina at large) that makes this an absorbing novel for readers of any background. And the authors, for the most part, handle the narrative with tenderness and charm. As Camille tells Margie: �My father says all the time, �What�s important is what you learn after you already think that you know everything.� �

New Book Journal : In Dancing Home, two cousins, one born in Texas and the other in Mexico, learn the importance of family and friendship. As an only child living in California with her Mexican-American parents, Margie Ceballos-Gonz�lez is proud to be American. Everything changes when her cousin Lupe Gonz�lez leaves her mother, stepfather and half-brothers in Mexico to live with Margie and her parents. Years before, Lupe�s father had moved to the United States for work and then disappeared. Margie and Lupe are both in fifth grade at the same school, and Lupe�s presence immediately draws exactly the sort of attention Margie has been trying to avoid. At home, she finds herself competing for attention as her parents welcome Lupe with Mexican foods and Spanish conversation. Sensing her cousin�s dilemma, Lupe finds ways to help Margie appreciate their shared Mexican heritage. Margie thaws, even realizing the beauty of her name, Margarita, which came from one of her mother�s favorite flowers, the daisy. The third-person narration shifts its focus gently from girl to girl, allowing readers access to their thoughts and feelings. The authors also connect Nicaraguan poet Rub�n Dar�o�s �A Margarita� to the story, and the full poem follows the novel in both Spanish and English. Although sometimes wise beyond their years, Margie and Lupe will charm readers as each girl struggles for belonging and acceptance in this realistic novel. (Fiction. 8-12)

Readers of Alma Flor Ada�s books and participants in her presentations have been waiting for this book in which she tells the story of her own life. Alma Flor had already provided us with moments of her childhood in her two books for adolescents: Where the Flame Trees Bloom, Alla donde florecen los framboyanes and Under the Royal Palms and had given us some insights of her writing process, the stories behind her stories and poems, in Alma Flor Ada and You Volume 1 and Alma Flor Ada and You Volume 2. In the recently published Vivir en dos idiomas, Alma Flor shares with the adult reader the most important moments of her life: as a student, teacher, mother, activist, author and professor. She shares with openness and sincerity, and her engaging style as a storyteller, the circumstances that transformed her life, her experiences living in four different countries, the people who influenced her development and the lessons learned from life.

"Vivir en dos idiomas is positioned somewhere between literature and history; it is not, however, a work of fiction.'' Using her signature style, Alma Flor Ada crafts an inspiring, intense, and personal examination of her life. This memoir presents the most significant experiences of a writer for whom narrating is synonymous with being, and an engagement that she cannot live without. From the very first pages we discover an extraordinary, gifted life. The author recounts the smallest aspects of an apparently idyllic childhood spent in Cuba -her first school years, and the first encounters with what would later become much more than inseparable companions: books. We will journey with her through ups and downs, through cities and countries in three continents. We will also witness the key incidents that led to her unflagging support of peasant immigrants in the United States. With exemplary style, Alma Flor Ada reveals the story of her career and invites us to find in books a new best friend.

''He vivido sin esperar premio ni castigo, y ahora descubro que el premio ha sido cada día vivido.'' Vivir en dos idiomas se ubica en la frontera entre la literatura y la historia. Desde las primeras paginas descubrimos una vida tocada por un don. Con la sinceridad que la caracteriza, la autora hace una exploracion personal, intensa e inspiradora de su propia vida. Este libro presenta las experiencias y reflexiones mas significativas de una escritora para quien la narracion es parte del ser, un compromiso inaplazable. Con su inconfundible estilo, Alma Flor Ada nos relata los pormenores de una infancia aparentemente idiica en Cuba, sus anos de escuela y sus primeros encuentros con los libros, que mas tarde se convertirian en companeros inseparables, amigos, confidentes y portadores de su mensaje. La acompanaremos en su travesia, llena de avatares y logros, por distintos paises de tres continentes. Seremos testigos de episodios que marcarian para siempre su camino, como el contacto con maestros como Paulo Freire y las situaciones de injusticia social que motivaron su infatigable labor en pro de los campesinos inmigrantes en Estados Unidos. En estas paginas Alma Flor Ada nos ofrece, lejos de los reflectores de la figura publica, la posibilidad de ser sus companeros de viaje, mientras revela los secretos de su apasionante trayectoria.

It was indeed a challenging process to decide what from my very long and rich life to include in a book of memoirs, and a challenge as well to decide on the style of the book.

The book was started initially at the suggestion of Amaya Elezcano, a wonderful Alfaguara editor in Madrid, Spain, who encouraged me to work on a series of three books corresponding to different phases of my life. Later, another talented editor from the Alfaguara group, Silvia Matute, decided to publish the work in the Aguilar autobiographical collection as a book with three distinct parts.

The first section, Porque empec� a vivir [Because Life Began][G1] covers the years from age fifteen to twenty, when I lived partly in Cuba, partly in the United States. It explores my first experiences of living in a different country, of trying to study and learn in another language, of awakening to the destructive forces of racism and discrimination which could lead people to renounce their own language and identity. The reflections brought about by these experiences would have a lasting influence on my life. There are also more intimate reflections about my own spiritual search.

The style of this first part is different from the other two. Because Cuba played such an important role in defining my experiences, I felt the need to share some sociocultural content with the reader. To that end, each chapter is preceded by a vignette depicting a specific geographical, social or cultural aspect of my country that frames, or influences, the personal experiences.

The second part of the book, La lengua se hizo matria [Language Became the Motherland] covers the period of my life from twenty to thirty-two years of age. During that time, I lived and studied in Madrid, Spain and in Lima, Peru, and did postdoctoral research work at Harvard University through the Radcliffe Institute. It was a period of great change in my life. While I insist that I have never left Cuba, which is so much a part of me, I had to learn to live outside of my country, and far away from everyone I knew and loved. During that period I developed a profound love for another country, Peru, completed a doctorate, met some extraordinary teachers, and began publishing. But above all, during that time I began my lifelong work as a bilingual educator and the essence of my whole being was transformed as I became a mother.

The third part of the book covers some of the work experiences and ongoing reflections that have made up my life of advocacy in the United States since 1970. It explores the influence that Paulo Freire has had on my life and work, as well as what I have gained from working with farmworking families and from the dialogic process of learning alongside my doctoral students at the University of San Francisco and all the teachers whose classes and schools I have been privileged to visit.

Embarking on the introspective journey that writing a memoir requires is both difficult and demanding. At times, one is drawn so strongly into the past that it becomes difficult to be present in the here and now. Some of the memories are painful and haunting and if, until now, they have been explored only superficially, facing them may indeed be a hard task. Yet, how rewarding to be able to revisit one's life!

A popular Latin American song says: Recu�rdame, que recordar es volver a vivir... [Remember me, for to remember is to live again...]. And of course, that means to live again both joys and sorrows, successes and mistakes, presences and losses. But above all, to remember is to accept the opportunity to keep on learning from life... and I, for one, found there is much still to learn.

Sharing it, amidst smiles and tears, has been an act of love. It started with finding compassion for the many persons I have been, from girlhood to adulthood, but became above all an expression of love for all who in one way or another have been part of the story, and for the unknown readers who may find in these pages, I hope, an invitation to explore their own inner journeys.

But no matter how long, rich, and diverse the experience, there is one word that sums it up perfectly, a word that expresses the overwhelming feeling that is left at the end of the process: gratitude.

Thanks to life, to existence, to everyone I have encountered along the way, and to each day.

I have lived without expecting either punishment or reward. Now I discover the reward has been each day I have lived!

Noticias Terra : La cuentista y educadora cubana Alma Flor Ada revela en sus memorias una vida marcada por la lectura, los viajes y los recuerdos de su patria. Aunque la prol�fica escritora ya hab�a detallado en dos libros anteriores su quehacer literario y las historias personales que dieron lugar a cuentos y poemas, en "Vivir en dos idiomas" Ada examina los eventos m�s significativos de su vida para un p�blico lector adulto. Dividido en tres partes, "Vivir en dos idiomas" se lee en ocasiones como un diario de viajes, pues son muchas las culturas con las cuales Ada ha entrado en contacto, a trav�s de sus estudios, viajes y lecturas. La primera secci�n, sin embargo, tiene un tono particular que la distingue de las otras dos, ya que medita sobre el contexto cultural en que creci�, salpicando su relato con canciones, an�cdotas y poemas. Esta parte recoge recuerdos y relatos de su querida Cuba al igual que sus primeros encuentros con la cultura estadounidense. La segunda parte, trata de su formaci�n acad�mica en Espa�a, Per� y EEUU y su transformaci�n personal al hacerse madre. Y la tercera aborda su labor educativa y literaria en EEUU, donde ha residido desde 1970, y la influencia de Paulo Freire en su incansable labor social. Muy pronto en la lectura nos damos cuenta que la infancia de Ada fue privilegiada, no s�lo por la soltura econ�mica de su familia, sino por haber contado con el apoyo de sus padres para explorar intereses a menudo contrarios a las normas sociales de la �poca. Ada recuerda, por ejemplo, que al cumplir los quince a�os, sus padres le dieron la opci�n de pasar un verano en un campamento en el extranjero en lugar de marcar la ocasi�n con una fiesta, como era habitual para entonces. Lectora y estudiante voraz, Ada aprovecha la oportunidad para asistir a un colegio de ni�as en Pennsylvania, donde adem�s de aprender ingl�s con compa�eras igualmente privilegiadas, observa por primera vez el maltrato al que eran sometidas algunas de sus compa�eras por pertenecer a un grupo minoritario. El tono de "Vivir", sin embargo, no resulta pomposo, sino sincero y agradecido. Si bien resulta admirable que en su itinerante vida la escritora haya siempre obrado con tal rectitud, identific�ndose contra toda injusticia y logrando efectuar cambios verdaderamente asombrosos, es preciso recordar que en la lectura de autobiograf�a a veces se dice m�s en lo que queda fuera que en lo que se incluye. Las memorias literarias tienden a no diferir tanto de la buena ficci�n, en que nos invitan a reflexionar sobre nuestra humanidad y a llegar a nuestras propias lecciones, si es que las hay. Desafortunadamente, en m�s de una ocasi�n las memorias de Ada adolecen de didactismo. En una an�cdota particularmente resonante, Ada recuerda su trabajo aun de estudiante en un orfanato de Denver. Ada y unas compa�eras sol�an ayudar a ba�ar a los ni�os, muchos de los cuales eran hispanos, y les contaban historias en espa�ol e ingl�s despu�s de terminar sus quehaceres. Un d�a, Ada cargaba a una ni�ita de tres a�os a quien le hab�a tomado un cari�o especial. Comenz� a contarle un cuento en ingl�s y la ni�ita la interrumpi� para pedirle, en ingl�s, que lo hiciera "de la otra manera". Como la ni�a le hablaba en ingl�s, Ada le pregunt� que por qu� quer�a que le hablara en espa�ol. La chiquita le contest�: "Porque as� se o�a mi madre". Podemos imaginar el efecto que esta experiencia pudo tener en la joven Ada y deducir la importancia de la relaci�n afectiva de los ni�os con la lengua materna. En este caso, como en muchos otros, la an�cdota desnuda, sin comentarios o explicaciones, hubiese resultado m�s efectiva que seguida de un p�rrafo explicativo como aparece. A�n as�, el libro describe la vida ejemplar de una escritora que ha dejado un importante y prol�fico legado "en dos idiomas"

Where the Flame Trees Bloom
Where the Flame Trees Bloom is also included in Island Treasures, along with Under the Royal Palms

These true stories from Alma Flor Ada�s childhood are filled with family love and values. Told through the eyes of a child, a whole world comes to life for the reader: the blind great-grandmother who never went to school but whose wisdom and generosity overflowed to those around her; the hired hand Samon� whose love for music overcame all difficulties; her grandfather Modesto, who placed a higher value on human relationships than on his possessions. Eleven remarkable stories will move and inspire children and adults alike. Companion volume to Alma Flor Ada's "Under the Royal Palms"

School Library Journal : Grade 3-6 Those who wonder what "family values" really are may possibly find the answer in this slim volume of short stories. Telling of her childhood in Cuba, Ada begins with an introduction to her homeland followed by 11 episodes about her family and her community. One story tells of her grandfather Modesto's courage and loyalty in the face of the death of his beloved wife and the simultaneous collapse of the Cuban economy. Another tells of her great-grandmother Mina, who continued to make rag dolls for the village children even after she had lost her sight. And a third tale tells of a Japanese street vendor who sold ice cream for a living, but gave generous samples to children who could not afford to pay. Warmth and love for a treasured childhood exude from the pages. The writing is elegant, but not overly sweet. Each selection stands well on its own. Children can read this book independently or enjoy listening to it read aloud.

Listen to Vienna Rose read Where the Flame Trees Bloom to you. A marvelous example of the magical encounter between a child and books that we wish for all children. And here's an earlier reading by Vienna Rose.

The Book Nest : The novella is a series of vingettes, with each chapter as a titled story - I think my favorites were "Mathematics" and "The Rag Dolls," both of which are about her beloved great grandmother. Because of their elegant simplicty, I think these stories could be read with pleasure to (or by) children as young as 8 or 9, but appriciated on a different level by adults. Highly reommended. I feel like the world is a more beautiful place, having read this charming book. Alma Flor Ada takes us to the Cuba of her childhood, and reading her stories, I felt like I was sitting at the feet of a beloved Gramother, listening to her tell me of the life she knew. The stories feel that intimate and familiar. We meet people, both relatives and friends, who show compassion and a zest for life - from the blind great grandmother who can sew rag dolls by touch and the hired man who plays the accordian at night. The text was so lyrical, I truly felt like I was living amongst the trees and the memories of those people who made Alma into the woman she is.

School Library Journal : Grade 3-6-Those who wonder what "family values" really are may possibly find the answer in this slim volume of short stories. Telling of her childhood in Cuba, Ada begins with an introduction to her homeland followed by 11 episodes about her family and her community. One story tells of her grandfather Modesto's courage and loyalty in the face of the death of his beloved wife and the simultaneous collapse of the Cuban economy. Another tells of her great-grandmother Mina, who continued to make rag dolls for the village children even after she had lost her sight. And a third tale tells of a Japanese street vendor who sold ice cream for a living, but gave generous samples to children who could not afford to pay. Warmth and love for a treasured childhood exude from the pages. The writing is elegant, but not overly sweet. Each selection stands well on its own. Children can read this book independently or enjoy listening to it read aloud.

Where the Flame Trees Bloom, by Alma Flor Ada, is a lovely memoir of growing up in Cuba. A second volume is called Under the Royal Palms. She wrote these books for young people as a series of vignettes that tell about her family, her town, and her experiences growing up on the outskirts of a Cuban town called Camag�ey. "My grandmother and one of my uncles were great storytellers. And every night, at bedtime, my father told me stories he invented to explain to me all that he knew about the history of the world. With all these storytellers around me, it is not a surprise that I like to tell stories." And the stories she shares are beautifully told. The very first story in Where the Flame Trees Bloom is my favorite, although I enjoyed each one. It is called "The Teacher," and recounts a poignant experience in the life of her grandmother. In the telling of this story, she captures a spontaneous teaching moment that reveals the heart of the teacher (her grandmother) and the ultimate purpose of teaching. I was very moved by this story and the way she told it. Here's an excerpt from it that was printed on the back cover of the book : "Look," continued my grandmother, as she pointed to the road that bordered the farm. There the students saw a solitary man walking. "Look at that old man. He is walking by us. In a few minutes he will be gone forever, and we will never have known who he is, where he is going, what may be important in his life." The students watched the man, who by then was quite close. He was very thin and a coarse guayabera hung loosely over his bent frame. His face, in the shade of a straw hat, was weathered and wrinkled. "Well," said my grandmother, "do we let him go away, forever unknown, or do you want to ask him if there is anything we can do for him?" These beautifully written little books would be a lovely way to introduce young people to the genre of memoirs. Both books are well worth reading for adults as well as for children.

Juanita lives in New York and is Mexican. Felipe lives in Chicago and is Panamanian, Venezuelan, and black. Michiko lives in Los Angeles and is Peruvian and Japanese. Each of them is also Latino. Thirteen young Latinos and Latinas living in America are introduced in this book celebrating the rich diversity of the Latino and Latina experience in the United States. Free-verse fictional narratives from the perspective of each youth provide specific stories and circumstances for the reader to better understand the Latino people�s quest for identity. Each profile is followed by nonfiction prose that further clarifies the character�s background and history, touching upon important events in the history of the Latino American people, such as the Spanish Civil War, immigration to the US, and the internment of Latinos with Japanese ancestry during World War II. Alma Flor Ada and F. Isabel Campoy�s informational yet heartwarming text provides a resource for young Latino readers to see themselves, while also encouraging non-Latino children to understand the breadth and depth of the contributions made by Latinos in the US. Caldecott Medalist David Diaz�s hand-cut illustrations are bold and striking, perfectly complementing the vibrant stories in the book. YES! WE ARE LATINOS stands alone in its presentation of the broad spectrum of Latino culture and will appeal to readers of fiction and nonfiction.

School Library Journal : Gr 4-8�A collection of narrative poems meant to represent young Latinos of diverse and multiple backgrounds. All of the selections start with the statement, �My name is�,� followed by a bit about where the narrators live, how they came to the United States, and how their families' cultural identities are shaping their future. Each entry is followed with another short narrative that includes historical references to contextualize the �child's� story. It is refreshing to see a varied presentation that includes those from different ethnic, racial, and religious backgrounds, in addition to representing some of the smaller Latin American countries and the islands in the Caribbean. The vignettes also help to illustrate the meaning of being mestizo�the blending of indigenous, African, and Spanish lineage�mentioned in the introduction and explored throughout. Another notable detail is the inclusion of Asians in Latin America, which is often overlooked in children's literature. The illustrations are interesting lino cutouts, black and white, reminiscent of Latino folk art, akin to wood carvings and papel picado. Teachers looking for a starting point to write personal narratives will find the book extremely useful as will those seeking to recognize and highlight this diverse population.

Booklist : This book celebrates the amazing and underappreciated diversity of the Latino community and makes great strides toward ameliorating one-dimensional stereotypes. Through 12 narrative poems, the authors explore the experiences of fictional men and women; Christians and Jews; immigrants, indigenous people, and second-generation Americans; professionals and farmers; all of whom identify themselves as Latinos. Each poem is followed by brief factual explanation of the major themes within, such as the Spanish Civil War, Asian influences in Latin America, and Cuba�s relationship with the U.S. Black-and-white abstract art by Caldecott winner D�az elevates each individual�s story by illustrating major themes. While the authors include a bibliography of source material, they also acknowledge a lengthy list of people who provided inspiration for the topics discussed in the book. Perhaps it is the use of these real-life figures that gives the fictional vignettes such an air of realism and relatability for both Latino and non-Latino readers alike. Grades 3-6.

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