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Abuelo (2014)

by Arthur Dorros(Favorite Author)

3.7 of 5 Votes: 5

ISBN

0061686271 (ISBN13: 9780061686276)

languge

English

genre

Middle Grade & Children's

publisher

HarperCollins

review 1: I thought the illustrations were quite lovely, with a kind of textured, hazy look. The sweet, simple bond between grandfather and grandson was heartwarming. Spanish phrases and words were sprinkled throughout. And I liked how the grandfather's teachings helped the young boy stand up to bullies at his new school. The contrast between the simple rural, rustic setting and the big city was well depicted.
review 2: With the author and illustrator of this book both being known, this book will get a good amount of interest. Colon's illustrations are gorgeous! The story is one that could be used for kids who are moving away from family or just as an introduction to another way of life. The story is simple but limps just a bit since the grandfather - abuelo - is present... moreed as saying Spanish phrases then immediately translating them. So the book could be used as an introduction to Spanish as well. However, since so many phrases are translated, it does slow down the story some, even as skillful as Dorros is. It basically is a little boy's memories of special times spent with his grandfather and the lessons that Abuelo taught him, including of course, that he can live away from Abuelo and keep him alive in his memories. This is not a death of a relative story but very close since moving away from someone who has been part of your regular life is a sort of death when you are young. Abuelo's lessons come in handy when the bully in the new place tries to threaten him. He shows the bully that he is stronger than he looks, not in an actual fight but in how he answers back the bully and makes it clear he isn't backing down to a bully. I don't see this as winning the Belpre, but I hope I'm wrong. less

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