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Nacer Bailando (2011)

by Alma Flor Ada(Favorite Author)

3.44 of 5 Votes: 3

ISBN

1442420618 (ISBN13: 9781442420618)

languge

English

genre

Middle Grade & Children's

publisher

Atheneum Books for Young Readers

review 1: This is the story of Margie, a young Mexican-American girl who struggles with her identity. Her parents are Mexian, she was born in California and she is teased in school about her name (Margarita) and other things that make her stand out as Mexican. When Margie's Mexican cousin Lupe comes to stay with the family, Margie is initally ashamed of her. I loved the character and voice of Lupe, I wasn't so attached to Margie and that is where the book fell short for me. I understand her conflicted feelings but I felt there were times when Margie was no better than the bullies that bother her in school. It's just hard for me to love a book, when I don't love the main character. That said, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to a child looking for books in this g... moreenre.
review 2: An enjoyable (but a little old-fashioned) look at a culture clash between two cousins. Born in the USA Margie is uncomfortable around her cousin Lupe, who has come from Mexico to live with the family in California and attend school. Both girls are in 5th grade, and at first the teacher makes Lupe Margie's responsiblity - demanding that Margie translate everything into Spanish for her cousin. This is probably based on the truth, but it is disturbing that a school would make a child responisible for educating another child. Soon Lupe is put in a bilingual class, and is taking ballet folklorico lessons, and Margie has a new friend Camille that shows tolerance for Lupe that no one else does. The particulars of the plot are very common in California classrooms, and although the telling is somewhat didactic, this is still a solid book for 4th and 5th graders. less

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