<p>Humorous illustrations, marked by oversized heads, mildly Cubist perspectives and rich pastels, combine with a wry narrative tone to fashion a marvelous look not simply at names shared by boys and girls, but also the transformation required of Spanish-speaking children as they remake themselves into English speakers. RenA the boy, a native El Salvadoran, is taken aback and then relieved to learn the name of the new girl in his class: taken aback that it's pronounced the same as his, relieved that it's spelled Renee. His discomfort leads him to research his name and write about it for a school essay contest, which he wins. The text moves swiftly forward in both English and Spanish, and RenA's essay provides a convincing and pertinent way for the author to point out the strong benefits of being bilingual and bi-national. A winner all-around. (Picture book. 6-9)</p>

Gr 1-3 In El Salvador, René feels confident, brave, and tough. Then he comes to the United States and must cope with a new culture and a new language. Dismayed when he learns that René is a girl's name, he feels better when he finds out that the feminine version is spelled with a double "e." An essay contest at school gives him a chance to put his research to good use and to celebrate both his name and his heritage. Based on the author's own experience, the story feels nonetheless a bit forced. The winning essay is too long to hold most children's interest, though sympathy for René's name troubles will be pretty universal. The Spanish translation reads slightly more smoothly than the English text. Ramírez's bright cartoon illustrations have a Tedd Arnoldesque pop-eyed charm. The color washes are luminous and the detail satisfying. While not as sensitive a treatment as Alma Flor Ada's Me llamo Maria Isabel/My Name Is Maria Isabel (S & S, 1994), this story will prompt discussion and empathy for students struggling with language acquisition and cultural change.