Copyright Date:
2023
Edition Date:
2023
Release Date:
07/11/23
Illustrator:
Parra, John,
Pages:
1 volume (unpaged)
ISBN:
0-8234-5446-0
ISBN 13:
978-0-8234-5446-4
Dewey:
E
LCCN:
2022043730
Dimensions:
26 cm
Language:
Spanish
Reviews:
School Library Journal Starred Review
(Thu Jun 01 00:00:00 CDT 2023)
K-Gr 3— Little Michael signs up for the annual Spanish spelling bee offered at his school, and he is excited about entering because Spanish is the language that his family speaks. He practices various words with the help of his family members, especially his grandmother. As they practice, his abuela tells stories about how she and her friends were only allowed to speak English at school or they would be punished, sent home, or hit with a paddle. As Michael wins the spelling bee, he knows that he and his family win more than just a ribbon, but they also win healing and love. Parra's art is impeccable, offering rich conversations even within the illustrations. VERDICT A beautifully designed read-aloud that celebrates the importance of knowing more than one language, while also shedding light on what first-generation immigrants went through to make that possible today.— Melanie Ortega
Bibliography Index/Note:
Includes bibliographical references.
An intergenerational story of family ties, cultural pride, and spelling bee victory following a young boy who bonds with his beloved abuela over a love of Spanish.
As a boy prepares for his school’s Spanish spelling bee, he asks his grandmother for help with some of the words he doesn’t know how to spell yet. When she studies with him, she tells him how different things were back when she was a girl, when she was only allowed to speak English in school. This only inspires him to study even harder and make his family proud.
Based on stories author Michael Genhart heard from his mother as a child, Spanish is the Language of My Family is about the joy of sharing cultural heritage with our families, inspired by the generations of Latino people were punished for speaking Spanish and the many ways new generations are rejuvenating the language.
Michael Genhart’s text is as touching as it is poignant, and it’s paired with the striking artwork of multiple Pura Belpre Award-Winning Illustrator John Parra. Extensive material at the back of the book includes essays from the author about the history of Spanish suppression in U.S. schools and information about the Spanish alphabet.
A Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children's Award-Winning Book
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
A Chicago Public Library 'Best of the Best' Book
Named to the Tejas Star Reading List
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