Culture 6 Review
Bibliography
Longoria, M. (2022). Living beyond borders: Growing up mexican in america. Viking Books for Young Readers.
ISBN: 978-0593-202497-9
Plot Summary
This is a collection of young adult Mexican American social injustices and controversial behaviors made against them told in stories, poems, and comics.
Critical Analysis
The authors of the stories, poems, and comics are told with great emotion, confusion, and hope about their identity as Mexican American. It is a wide variety of social struggles many young adults experience today. It will make you angry, cry, laugh, and think deep about the culture and social injustices about living beyond borders as a Mexican American. I really engaged in this book for two reasons: I was able to connect with most of the settings, and I related to their hardships, traditions of quinceaneras, and beliefs of Ojo (the evil eye).
Review Expert
Kirkus Reviews (July 1, 2021)
Twenty original contributions by Mexican American authors about growing up in the U.S. In a note to readers, editor Longoria describes feeling compelled to create this anthology as she saw Mexican Americans being attacked and derided in the media. The result is this collection of short stories, personal essays, graphic stories, and poems by Mexican American authors. The standouts here pack a real emotional punch. Awareness of the impact of socio-economic status often takes center stage, and several pieces are set in the Rio Grande Valley. Protagonists vary in age from middle school through adult and are predominantly mestizx. “The Body by the Canal,” by David Bowles, is not to be missed and, along with “Coco Chamoy and Chango,” by e.E. Charlton-Trujillo, brings queer representation to the project. The opening story, “Ghetto Is Not an Adjective” by Dominic Carrillo, successfully cannonballs into the deep end of the social justice pool, while “Morning People” by Diana Lopez wades into the murky waters of the taboo. “Yoli Calderon and Principal Hayes” by Angela Cervantes offers an exemplary use of the first person, and both “This Rio Grande Valley” by Daniel García Ordaz and “Sunflower” by Aida Salazar are full of beautiful imagery. “Ode to My Papi” by Guadalupe García McCall and “La Princesa Mileidy Dominguez” by Rubén Degollado both tug at the heartstrings. The variety of narrative styles contributes to the broad appeal of this volume. Well worth reading; a welcome addition to any bookshelf. (contributor bios) (Anthology. 13-adult)
Connections
Growing up Chicano(a)
Black Boy Joy
Bibliography
Bailey, J., & Song, M. (2019). A friend for henry (Illustrated ed.). Chronicle Books.
Plot Summary
Henry has autism and walks into class excited to meet new people. His disability makes it difficult to get along with some of his classmates. But he doesn’t let that stop him from making friends.
Critical Analysis
This story displays Henry’s norms of his disability of being autistic. The illustrator draws a diverse group of students and demonstrates characteristics of autisic behavior. The search for a friend is a common theme and a want for all humans. Although the author wrote this book to bring autism awareness, the book can serve for another purpose as well. This is a great book to share with young children to teach them about friendship and social skills and accept those who are different from you.
Review Expert
Booklist (February 15, 2019 (Vol. 115, No. 12))
Preschool-Grade 1. Henry, a young boy on the autism spectrum, would like a friend. He appreciates people who are quiet, share his sense of orderliness, and won’t invade his personal space. Gilly the goldfish is quiet, but she can’t really play; Vivian flashes rainbow fingernails in his face, but complains when Henry makes a rainbow of her paints; and Samuel turns Henry’s perfectly aligned carpet squares into a disorderly magic carpet. Luckily, Henry notices Katie, who enjoys watching Gilly do fish things, is happy to build a block tower that excludes the triangles Henry can’t bear, and loves swinging at the playground with Henry. Bailey’s debut picture book allows readers to empathize with a child who, despite overt differences, has needs that are much the same as everyone else’s. Song’s ink-and-watercolor illustrations depict a multiethnic, play-centered school. The cartoon art includes many familiar classroom details and works well in conveying Henry’s emotional frustrations. As the number of diagnosed children on the autistic spectrum increases, so does the need for informative and positive presentations such as this.
Connections
Castillo, Ani. Ping
Bibliography
Gino, A. (2017). George. Scholastic Incorporated.
ISBN: 978-0-545-81257-3
Plot Summary
George is in the fourth grade but knows that he wants to be a she. Deep inside she feels like a girl trapped in a boy's body. 10 year old Geroge can't stand being a boy, she is disgusted and what is between her legs. She hides this secret from her family and friends. She wants to play the lead role of Charlotte in Charlotte's Web but is told he cannot because he is a boy. Kelly comforts him and decides to help her friend out. George finally reveals her true self to Kelly and her family. It took some time for her mom to take it in, but accepted George (Melissa) for who she really is.
Critical analysis
The author Alex Gino wrote this book because there was none that he could identify with. This book focuses on the transgender group. It gives a definition in the book about transgender. I think this helps educate young minds about the different groups in the LGBTQ+ community. In the book, Kelly and Geroge’s family think he is gay. She corrects them and says that she is not gay, she is a girl. I think many people belive gay is universal for anyone in the LGBTQ+ community. That is not correct. Having an understanding of the diversity within the community is key. In addition, to educating the world with who transgender people are, the book demonstrates way others can help them be who they truely are and to seek advice from professionals on how to move forward.
George was a great read and I empathize with her having to hide and feel uncomfortable in her own body. Kelly showed characteristics of kindness, understanding, and acceptance towards George. A special friend.
Review Expert
Starred Review ALA Booklist
*Starred Review* Ten-year-old George has a secret. Everyone thinks she is a boy, but inside she knows that she is really a girl named Melissa. When her fourth-grade class prepares to mount a dramatic production of Charlotte's Web, George knows that more than anything in the world, she wants to play the part of Charlotte. After all, who cares if she plays a girl's part? Hasn't her best friend Kelly told her that, in Shakespeare's time, men played all the parts, even those of girls and women? But things aren't that simple, not even when George summons the courage to dramatically show her single-parent mom the truth. Gino's debut novel is a sensitive, insightful portrayal of a transgender child coming to terms with gender identity. George is an appealing, thoroughly believable character, and her best friend Kelly adds humor and zest to this gentle story. Gino does an excellent job introducing factual information into the narrative without impinging upon the accessible and appealing story. Pair this important addition to the slender but growing body of transgender fiction with Ami Polonsky's Gracefully Grayson (2014).
Connections
Gino, Alex. Rick
Gino, Alex. Alice Austen Lived Here
Bibliography
Budhos, M. (2006). Ask me no questions. Adfo Books
ISBN: 978-1-4169-3051-2
Plot Summary
Nadira, along with her family immigrated to the United States on a Visa from Bangladesh. They became illegal aliens when they overstayed their Visa. All was fine until the 9/11 attacks happened. Their race and culture was under attack. They came to America to seek a better way of life, but instead find themselves escaping to the Canadian border seeking asylum. After being asked to return back to the U.S. Nadira’s father is arrested for overstaying his Visa. Their family is separated for some time and Aisha feels the responsibility to do something to bring them back together.
Critical Analysis
This book is a true depiction of what illegal immigrants feel when faced with adversities. Budhos thoughtfully portrays each character's thoughts and fears of what is to come next. The uncertainty of not knowing where to go, sleep or eat is a reality for most illegal immigrants. Today, illegal immigrants are seen as dangerous regardless of where you are coming from. Budhos shines light to the readers that not all immigrants are dangerous and many are trying to escape danger in their country and are seeking a better way of life and opportunity in the U.S.
Review Experts
School Library Journal (October 1, 2012)
Gr 7-10-The Hossain family, immigrants from Bangladesh, have been living in New York illegally for many years after their tourist visas expired. Nadira, a shy 14-year-old, has always been jealous of her overachieving older sister, Aisha. But her self-absorbed feelings seem inconsequential after the girls' father, Abba, is arrested at the U.S.-Canadian border shortly after 9/11 for having an expired visa. While their mother remains in a Canadian homeless shelter, the girls return to Queens to stay with relatives and await Abba's fate. The threat of deportation always looms. Certain that she can convince the government that their father's arrest was a mistake, Aisha begins a letter-writing campaign. But when it becomes clear that these efforts are in vain, Aisha's confidence crumbles and she gives up-on everything. It's up to Nadira to be the glue that holds her family together. When Abba's trial begins, Nadira calls upon an inner strength she didn't realize she possessed. Marina Budhos's novel (Atheneum, 2006) paints a compelling portrait of what it was like to be a Muslim teen living in the United States following 9/11. The characters are believable and well-rounded, especially Nadira, who grows from a naive and whiny teenager into a mature, level-headed young woman. Abby Craden's softly accented voice brings to life the emotional turmoil felt by the sisters, and she portrays male and female characters equally well. An excellent listen and an important addition to the study of the immigrant experience.-Alissa Bach, Oxford Public Library, MI (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Connections
Patrick, Cat. Forgotten
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