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brIUn aNtilde;o de revelaciones culmina con una actuaciOacute;n llena de sorpresas, mientras dos niNtilde;as descubren su lugar en el mundo./I PMEacute;xico es el paIacute;s de sus padres, pero no el de Margie. Ella ha logrado convencer a sus compaNtilde;eros de escuela que es cien por ciento estadounidense, igual que ellos. Pero cuando Lupe, su prima mexicana, va a vivir a su casa, la imagen de sIacute; misma que habIacute;a creado se deshace. PLa situaciOacute;n de Lupe no es fAacute;cil. Siente que su casa de MEacute;xico no es un hogar desde que el padre se fue al norte. La esperanza de poder encontrarlo en los Estados Unidos le da algo de consuelo, pero aprender un idioma nuevo en una escuela nueva representa un gran desafIacute;o. Al igual que Margie, Lupe necesita una amiga. PPoco a poco, los pasos de cada niNtilde;a van encontrando el ritmo de un baile compartido, a medida que descubren el verdadero significado del hogar. Siguiendo la tradiciOacute;n de Me llamo MarIacute;a Isabel, Alma Flor Ada y su hijo Gabriel M. Zubizarreta ofrecen un relato honesto de los valores de la familia y de la amistad, y de la experiencia que debe atravesar el inmigrante#58; volverse parte de algo nuevo y, a la vez, conservar la propia identidad.
160 pages, Hardcover
First published July 12, 2011
57 people are currently reading
535 people want to read
About the author
Alma Flor Ada
671 books188 followers(http://facebook.com/almaflorada)
Dr. Ada was the founder and First Editor in Chief of :
NABE, Journal of the National Association for Bilingual Education
She has been active for many years in various professional associations including : IRA, International Reading Association
CRA, California Reading Association
CABE, California Association for Bilingual Education
USIBBY, US Branch of the International Board of Books for Young People
She is a member of :
Advisory Board of Loose Leaf Public Radio Programs
National Television Workshop
Between the Lines
Reading Up!, Natural Head Start Association
A frequent speaker at national and international conferences, Dr. Ada also works in school districts with children, teachers and parents.
The award-winning author of numerous children’s books and a prolific translator, Alma Flor Ada is a leading mentor and philosopher of bilingual education in the United States.
She has authored several reading programs, among them two Spanish reading programs :
Cielo abierto (K-6)
Vamos de fiesta! (K-3)
and of two English reading programs :
Signatures (K-6)
Collections (K- 6)
and is a series consultant for Relatos de la historia (1-5), a Spanish social studies program developed by Harcourt School Publishers.
Among her most substantive contributions to the transmission of Hispanic culture to children are :
Música amiga, a program for learning through songs, published by Del Sol Books
Puertas al Sol - Pathways to the Sun, published by Santillana
Latino poetry, Art, and Biographies for children, published by Santillana
Dr. Ada received her Ph.D. in Spanish Literature from the Pontifical Catholic University of Lima, Perú and did post-doctoral research at Harvard University as a Fellow of the Radcliffe Institute and a Fulbright Research Scholar.
Dr. Ada was the founder and First Editor in Chief of :
NABE, Journal of the National Association for Bilingual Education
She has been active for many years in various professional associations including : IRA, International Reading Association
CRA, California Reading Association
CABE, California Association for Bilingual Education
USIBBY, US Branch of the International Board of Books for Young People
She is a member of :
Advisory Board of Loose Leaf Public Radio Programs
National Television Workshop
Between the Lines
Reading Up!, Natural Head Start Association
A frequent speaker at national and international conferences, Dr. Ada also works in school districts with children, teachers and parents.
The award-winning author of numerous children’s books and a prolific translator, Alma Flor Ada is a leading mentor and philosopher of bilingual education in the United States.
She has authored several reading programs, among them two Spanish reading programs :
Cielo abierto (K-6)
Vamos de fiesta! (K-3)
and of two English reading programs :
Signatures (K-6)
Collections (K- 6)
and is a series consultant for Relatos de la historia (1-5), a Spanish social studies program developed by Harcourt School Publishers.
Among her most substantive contributions to the transmission of Hispanic culture to children are :
Música amiga, a program for learning through songs, published by Del Sol Books
Puertas al Sol - Pathways to the Sun, published by Santillana
Latino poetry, Art, and Biographies for children, published by Santillana
Dr. Ada received her Ph.D. in Spanish Literature from the Pontifical Catholic University of Lima, Perú and did post-doctoral research at Harvard University as a Fellow of the Radcliffe Institute and a Fulbright Research Scholar.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
July 24, 2013
A lovely story of accepting one's own cultural identity and multiple heritages. Everyone in this book (with the obvious exception of Lupe's father) was a tad too eager and perfect for me, but the story unfolded nicely.
August 27, 2012
I recently read Love, Amalia, a book by this same mother-son writing team, and I really liked it, and so I was eager to read this, their first book together. I also enjoyed this story.
I really appreciated how the feelings of both the children and adult characters are taken into consideration in this novel.
Margie’s/Margarita’s feelings of jealousy and embarrassment and her confusion, and her joy and pride and enthusiasm all seem so genuine and believable, as do the thoughts, feelings, and actions of the other characters.
I really appreciated all the other children’s books mentioned within this book and like that Margie is a reader and fan of the library.
I didn’t like the possibly positive spin on the captive marine animals, but I liked that Camille did think about that issue, and I loved the avoiding disturbing the bird nest.
Take a look at the second author’s dedication, and you’ll see the names as characters in the book. They’re his daughters, and their namesakes in the book share some of their passions. (I heard this from the first author, their grandmother.) What a lovely idea. I’m sure they are thrilled, and I very much like their characters in the book. This is such a good family story so it’s extra special that the authors’ children and grandchildren have a place in this story.
I have to say I was really turned off by the, albeit short, religious content in the poem that’s at the end, but I suspect most people will either like it or barely notice it. I was touched by certain aspects of the poem and its relationship to the main character in the story.
I enjoyed the Spanish words that are interspersed throughout the text.
I came close to tearing up with emotion several times.
I am eager to read more stories by this author/these authors. I am impressed with the authenticity of the emotions the characters experience.
Ooh, and those dresses sound gorgeous. I wish that there had been illustrations, but I was able to imagine them well, I think.
I’d recommend this to girls ages 7-11, for independent reading and read aloud one to one or as a family or group read, for bilingual education, for multicultural studies, to anyone looking for a good family story, for kids of divorce, for kids who are immigrants or who have friends who are immigrants or who live in areas with great diversity, or none, and kids who need to learn better self acceptance, and oh so many young readers.
I really appreciated how the feelings of both the children and adult characters are taken into consideration in this novel.
Margie’s/Margarita’s feelings of jealousy and embarrassment and her confusion, and her joy and pride and enthusiasm all seem so genuine and believable, as do the thoughts, feelings, and actions of the other characters.
I really appreciated all the other children’s books mentioned within this book and like that Margie is a reader and fan of the library.
I didn’t like the possibly positive spin on the captive marine animals, but I liked that Camille did think about that issue, and I loved the avoiding disturbing the bird nest.
Take a look at the second author’s dedication, and you’ll see the names as characters in the book. They’re his daughters, and their namesakes in the book share some of their passions. (I heard this from the first author, their grandmother.) What a lovely idea. I’m sure they are thrilled, and I very much like their characters in the book. This is such a good family story so it’s extra special that the authors’ children and grandchildren have a place in this story.
I have to say I was really turned off by the, albeit short, religious content in the poem that’s at the end, but I suspect most people will either like it or barely notice it. I was touched by certain aspects of the poem and its relationship to the main character in the story.
I enjoyed the Spanish words that are interspersed throughout the text.
I came close to tearing up with emotion several times.
I am eager to read more stories by this author/these authors. I am impressed with the authenticity of the emotions the characters experience.
Ooh, and those dresses sound gorgeous. I wish that there had been illustrations, but I was able to imagine them well, I think.
I’d recommend this to girls ages 7-11, for independent reading and read aloud one to one or as a family or group read, for bilingual education, for multicultural studies, to anyone looking for a good family story, for kids of divorce, for kids who are immigrants or who have friends who are immigrants or who live in areas with great diversity, or none, and kids who need to learn better self acceptance, and oh so many young readers.
October 8, 2011
Margie has been making every effort to embrace her now American heritage. When her cousin Lupe comes to live with them from Mexico, Margie finds that she is having to help Lupe adapt. It isn't easy since Lupe doesn't speak English very well and is having trouble keeping up. Margie is having to back track to the Mexican heritage she has been running away from. As Margie lends herself to family traditions and getting acquainted with Lupe, by sharing American experiences and embracing her culture through the eyes of Lupe she begins to better understand her heritage and its importance.
Ada and Zubizarreta have done an excellent job of presenting the Mexican culture through the eyes of a child. The emotions felt through Margie and Lupe will keep young readers turning the pages to see how these two girls cope with change and the challenges it brings. Young readers will learn Spanish terms and their meaning. Parents, teachers and homeschoolers will love sharing this wonderful culture and the true meaning of family and tradition.
Ada and Zubizarreta have done an excellent job of presenting the Mexican culture through the eyes of a child. The emotions felt through Margie and Lupe will keep young readers turning the pages to see how these two girls cope with change and the challenges it brings. Young readers will learn Spanish terms and their meaning. Parents, teachers and homeschoolers will love sharing this wonderful culture and the true meaning of family and tradition.
December 21, 2011
Dancing Home provides the young reader with a valuable insight into an immigrant experience. It isn’t shy about its goal to inform ignorant readers and commiserate with those who are not. I can’t say it is the most lyrical experience or the most “literary,” but need it be? Dancing Home is an ambitious little book, but with so few of these middle-grade stories by their (oft marginalized) authors getting through the Publishing World’s sieve (especially large presses), little wonder why.
Publishers Weekly (July) did not care much for Dancing Home.
“Working with a potentially rich multicultural family story, [the authors] instead deliver a timely but lifeless novel about a Mexican-American girl in California and her newly arrived Mexican cousin. […] The 11-year-olds […] come across as little more than mouthpieces for the authors’ message. While the opening chapter, in which Margarita unhappily brings Lupe to her own classroom, is promising, the authors rely too much on descriptions and summaries, forgoing opportunities to ‘show, don’t tell.’ […] Margarita’s eventual appreciation of her heritage and Lupe’s adjustment to her new country are predictable and too easily come by to have true emotional resonance.”
I rarely disagree with Publishers Weekly, and I am not going to completely disagree here now. The “mouthpiece” complaint is an issue, and one not limited to the two girls. “Lifeless” is a harsh criticism, but wooden did come to my mind at turns—child actors in an afterschool special. Given the content versus the accessible length of the novel, I think ‘show, don’t tell’ is necessarily set aside at points. You have one shot to bring an important sense of awareness to our young people’s consciousness, how much do you leave to chance? Do we want another series? Or another book in verse?*
Admittedly, I do not require all my reads to be lyrical and/or deeply emotional. It is true that the ending did not provide “true emotional resonance” for me either, but my mind was engaged. Does the grade-school reader require and/or exact an emotional resonance with Dancing Home? Is the ending that trite, or does it come off as an offering of hope? Is there insult in an attempt to be heart-provoking, where all it does is provoke our minds?
Dancing Home writes from two primary perspectives, that of the coddled American girl and the mature via fire Mexican girl; one is ignorant–due to sheltering and perhaps carelessness, the other is experienced—due to familial conflict brought on by cultural stressors; one is the outside looking in, the other—the same, just from another window on another side of the house; importantly, there is some overlap. One or more of those perspectives is where we are asked to connect as the Reader. The already large scope of these two narrators are expanded by those they encounter (family, friends, etc) and even more perspectives are offered. Like the offering of perspectives, there are several questions to choose from as well. Relevancy in Dancing Home shifts depending on the Reader and how they approach the novel. Of course, this could be said of any read, but I think it vital to success of Dancing Home in particular.
I felt like it was assumed that the Reader would be an outsider, an on-looker, ignorant of the struggles of a first generation immigrant and a new transplant. At the same time, Dancing Home hardly excludes a Reader in the know, offering vocalization with which they might identify. As the outsider (and adult, critical reader) I often remained in my seat before the stage. I was intrigued in turns, and I was able to relate in others.** That was my experience with the read. Spend some time reading the Goodreads collection of reviews. Stars swing dramatic back and forth. Even with the lower rated reviews, there are still paragraphs, if only to argue the realism portrayed. The greatness of the scope, the multiple entries, Dancing Home is a playground of discussion.
Dancing Home is aggressive in its informative nature, and I know that this is a turn-off for plenty. We like more clever manipulation, at least when we are asked to learn something. However, emotional manipulation in revelatory multicultural stories can be exhausting, to tell the truth. Dancing Home has a definite place.
Could the novel have been more elegant, less clumsy? Perhaps. For some. In the end, Dancing Home can be lifeless. The novel is missing something. An audience. Its Reader. A dancing partner.
————————————–
*these are not necessarily a rhetorical set of questions.
**If you do not know your own immigrant story, you are past due, I suggest you look into it.
Suey at “It’s All About Books” is pondering a John Waters quote, which, in part, recommends, “You should never read just for ‘enjoyment.” It was on my mind as I wrote this “review.”
a few authors to look into for more (and varied) immigrant stories, which provide Dancing Home some of its competition stylistically: Julia Alvarez, Margarita Engle, Christina Diaz Gonzalez, Pam Munoz Ryan, Bettina Restrepo.
Doret at “The Happy Nappy Bookseller” wrote this review, and it was the primary reason I picked the book up at the Library. I’m glad I did. Dancing Home would be a great addition to your school-classroom or-library shelf. It reminded me in a lot of ways to Bettina Restrepo’s Illegal (my review), most notably in the way Restrepo is both bold in relaying hard situations and buoying potential despair with hope.
L @ omphaloskepsis
http://contemplatrix.wordpress.com/20...
Publishers Weekly (July) did not care much for Dancing Home.
“Working with a potentially rich multicultural family story, [the authors] instead deliver a timely but lifeless novel about a Mexican-American girl in California and her newly arrived Mexican cousin. […] The 11-year-olds […] come across as little more than mouthpieces for the authors’ message. While the opening chapter, in which Margarita unhappily brings Lupe to her own classroom, is promising, the authors rely too much on descriptions and summaries, forgoing opportunities to ‘show, don’t tell.’ […] Margarita’s eventual appreciation of her heritage and Lupe’s adjustment to her new country are predictable and too easily come by to have true emotional resonance.”
I rarely disagree with Publishers Weekly, and I am not going to completely disagree here now. The “mouthpiece” complaint is an issue, and one not limited to the two girls. “Lifeless” is a harsh criticism, but wooden did come to my mind at turns—child actors in an afterschool special. Given the content versus the accessible length of the novel, I think ‘show, don’t tell’ is necessarily set aside at points. You have one shot to bring an important sense of awareness to our young people’s consciousness, how much do you leave to chance? Do we want another series? Or another book in verse?*
Admittedly, I do not require all my reads to be lyrical and/or deeply emotional. It is true that the ending did not provide “true emotional resonance” for me either, but my mind was engaged. Does the grade-school reader require and/or exact an emotional resonance with Dancing Home? Is the ending that trite, or does it come off as an offering of hope? Is there insult in an attempt to be heart-provoking, where all it does is provoke our minds?
Dancing Home writes from two primary perspectives, that of the coddled American girl and the mature via fire Mexican girl; one is ignorant–due to sheltering and perhaps carelessness, the other is experienced—due to familial conflict brought on by cultural stressors; one is the outside looking in, the other—the same, just from another window on another side of the house; importantly, there is some overlap. One or more of those perspectives is where we are asked to connect as the Reader. The already large scope of these two narrators are expanded by those they encounter (family, friends, etc) and even more perspectives are offered. Like the offering of perspectives, there are several questions to choose from as well. Relevancy in Dancing Home shifts depending on the Reader and how they approach the novel. Of course, this could be said of any read, but I think it vital to success of Dancing Home in particular.
I felt like it was assumed that the Reader would be an outsider, an on-looker, ignorant of the struggles of a first generation immigrant and a new transplant. At the same time, Dancing Home hardly excludes a Reader in the know, offering vocalization with which they might identify. As the outsider (and adult, critical reader) I often remained in my seat before the stage. I was intrigued in turns, and I was able to relate in others.** That was my experience with the read. Spend some time reading the Goodreads collection of reviews. Stars swing dramatic back and forth. Even with the lower rated reviews, there are still paragraphs, if only to argue the realism portrayed. The greatness of the scope, the multiple entries, Dancing Home is a playground of discussion.
Dancing Home is aggressive in its informative nature, and I know that this is a turn-off for plenty. We like more clever manipulation, at least when we are asked to learn something. However, emotional manipulation in revelatory multicultural stories can be exhausting, to tell the truth. Dancing Home has a definite place.
Could the novel have been more elegant, less clumsy? Perhaps. For some. In the end, Dancing Home can be lifeless. The novel is missing something. An audience. Its Reader. A dancing partner.
————————————–
*these are not necessarily a rhetorical set of questions.
**If you do not know your own immigrant story, you are past due, I suggest you look into it.
Suey at “It’s All About Books” is pondering a John Waters quote, which, in part, recommends, “You should never read just for ‘enjoyment.” It was on my mind as I wrote this “review.”
a few authors to look into for more (and varied) immigrant stories, which provide Dancing Home some of its competition stylistically: Julia Alvarez, Margarita Engle, Christina Diaz Gonzalez, Pam Munoz Ryan, Bettina Restrepo.
Doret at “The Happy Nappy Bookseller” wrote this review, and it was the primary reason I picked the book up at the Library. I’m glad I did. Dancing Home would be a great addition to your school-classroom or-library shelf. It reminded me in a lot of ways to Bettina Restrepo’s Illegal (my review), most notably in the way Restrepo is both bold in relaying hard situations and buoying potential despair with hope.
L @ omphaloskepsis
http://contemplatrix.wordpress.com/20...
October 11, 2016
Margarita, one of the main characters, is about to have her life changed, and she believes it’s not for the better. Her cousin Lupe is coming to live with the family because her mother has remarried, and it’s a chance for Lupe to have a good education in the U.S. Margarita likes to be called Margie; she’s decided it’s more American, & she is American, born in Texas. Her own parents are immigrants, and Margie is a little embarrassed that they don’t always act like her classmates’ parents. She is also now worried that Lupe will embarrass her even more because she doesn’t speak English at all. This is a story of complications, immigrants trying to fit in, but still feeling proud of the country of their birth. It’s a story of being teased because one is different. And it’s a story of family love. The chapters alternate voices with Margarita telling part of the story, and Lupe telling the other. I enjoyed it very much, the sweet voices of these young girls wondering if things will ever be okay, and finally, through the help of a new friend, too, they do find a comfort in both their heritage and their new country. It would make a good read aloud to bring up so much illuminating conversations, to step into the shoes of others you might not know much about, or to hear the voice whose experience parallels yours.
January 19, 2018
En este libro, hablas sobre mucho problemas especialmente con hispanos en los Estados Unidos. Como Margie mucho de los hispanos que nací en América piensan que debe hacer americano y solo americano. Yo y algunos de mis amigos ha pensado y desatendido nuestra cultura para encajar. También hablar por el idea equivocado que hispanos mira de cierta manera. Margie no creido que la amiga Camille era Cubano porque ella tenía pelo rubia. Yo sabía que los hispanos son muy diversos en apariencia porque mis primos y mi hermano tienes pelo rubia y piel pálida pero gente que no están hispano y algunos de los hispanos sí mismo tienes un idea que son solo broncear. Otro problema que le libró habla en general es la inmigración. La person leyendo el libro puedes ver los luchas de un inmigrante y puede ser simpático. Puedes ver que es mucho trabajo para vivir en un país que tu no sabes la idioma y no tienes amigos como Lupe. Debido por eso, el libro habla sobre algunos de los muchos conceptos erróneos en la comunidad hispana.
Read
January 20, 2018La gente en los Estados Unidos reacciona de manera diferente a la inmigración porque algunos piensan que no deberían venir mientras que otros los acogen con los brazos abiertos. Muchas personas creen que la gente de México son todos criminales, pero este libro demuestra que las personas que vienen de otros países sólo quieren igualdad de oportunidades. Sin embargo, otras personas en los Estados Unidos creen que esta gente sólo quiere una vida mejor para ellos y sus familias. En este libro no hay mucha gente que sea grosera con Margie y su familia. Esto también muestra que la gente quiere parecer más americana de lo que realmente es. Para atar los extremos pierden, hay muchas personas se oponen a la inmigración en los Estados Unidos y esa es una de las razones por las que Margie está tratando de convencerse de que ella y su familia son estadounidenses. Creo que a todo el mundo se le debe dar la igualdad de oportunidades no importa de dónde Cam porque eso es lo que Estados Unidos es todo y que es de esperar lo que Lupe llega a experimentar.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2012
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.
May 30, 2019
Loved this book. I wanted to read it because I’ve heard great things about the author and thought her books might be good to introduce into my class. She did a great job showing the perspective from two different girls finding their identity: one born in the US trying desperately to be American and erase her Mexican roots until she realizes the value in them, and one who is Mexican and trying to navigate the confusing world of English-speaking America and find her place between different countries and families. Will definitely recommend to my students.
September 11, 2017
Dancing Home is one of those books that beg to be read aloud to a class. It offers great insight in what it is like to adapt to a new culture while wanting to retain and celebrate your original one. To me, it would be great to read to students so that they can put themselves in the shoes of kids who come from different cultures than their own. In addition, there are Spanish words scattered throughout the book which I love. I am a huge fan of this chapter book!
September 30, 2011
Margarita would rather go by "Margie" and calls herself American since she was born in Texas. But when her cousin Lupe comes from Mexico to live with her family, Margie has to sort out what it means to be American and what it means to be Mexican.
May 27, 2013
The arrival of Lupe, Margie's cousin, leads her to realize that she can be an American and be proud of her Mexican heritage, too. A touching family story.
August 22, 2020
This book was one of my favorite books. Its about a girl that is Mexican. She doesn't like to be Mexican. When Her cousin come to visit from Mexico she is kind of mean to her.
April 1, 2025
This was the first book that I successfully finished in Spanish. I read it with my 5th grade ESL newcomer students and despite how predictable the story was, they really enjoyed it.
November 1, 2011
I had mixed feelings about this book. The writing itself wasn't bad, but I had a few issues with the content.
First of all, the bullying. This book takes place in California, a state with a very large Latino population. From the first few pages of the book, I could tell that the teasing factor was an exaggeration. It seems unlikely that Margie would be the only Hispanic kid in her class/grade that was good enough at speaking English that she didn't need to be in the separated bilingual class. And really, I'm sure there's some teasing, but I don't think that it would be such a huge deal. Margie whines constantly about how it took years for the teasing to stop, and with Lupe it would start all over again. So unrealistic.
Second: I don't think kids really stress out that much over working their butts off to become American. Margie said at one point that she had talked her mom into letting her get a PERM (at age 10?!?) so that she wouldn't stand out with her straight black hair. She obsesses over having an American Christmas, playing the same xmas CDs over and over again until she knows the words by heart. I'm not trying to sound mean or anything. I may be wrong (I am a white, teenage girl, born in the US) but I really think the pressure to immediately become an American was pretty overdone, at least for the 21st century. Kids nowadays are a whole lot more accepting of other cultures, especially in places like California.
All that being said, there were parts of the book that I really did like. I thought that Lupe's point of view was very well done (especially compared to Margie's.) The author did great job showing how her happiness and curiosity from being in a new place mixed with worry about how Margie might resent her (which she did, by the way). I liked Lupe a whole lot better than Margie.
I also really liked Camille, and how shocked Margie was when Camille revealed that her father's side of the family was Cuban:
Way to tell her off, Camille. That girl needed to be taken down a notch.
The author also threw in some great passages about the American way of life, including my personal favorite:
Yep, that's America. Life in the fastlane, always.
Judging from the cover, I had expected dancing to play a somewhat larger role in the majority of the story, but it didn't really become a big deal until about 3/4 of the way in. I didn't really mind though. I really don't like the title- I feel like it doesn't really make sense with the story.
All in all, this book was fine. Not great, not bad, but just kinda fine. I don't think I would read it again, and I probably wouldn't recommend it (just because of how I find it somewhat unrealistic, at least on Margie's side). However, I did enjoy reading it, so 3 stars.
First of all, the bullying. This book takes place in California, a state with a very large Latino population. From the first few pages of the book, I could tell that the teasing factor was an exaggeration. It seems unlikely that Margie would be the only Hispanic kid in her class/grade that was good enough at speaking English that she didn't need to be in the separated bilingual class. And really, I'm sure there's some teasing, but I don't think that it would be such a huge deal. Margie whines constantly about how it took years for the teasing to stop, and with Lupe it would start all over again. So unrealistic.
Second: I don't think kids really stress out that much over working their butts off to become American. Margie said at one point that she had talked her mom into letting her get a PERM (at age 10?!?) so that she wouldn't stand out with her straight black hair. She obsesses over having an American Christmas, playing the same xmas CDs over and over again until she knows the words by heart. I'm not trying to sound mean or anything. I may be wrong (I am a white, teenage girl, born in the US) but I really think the pressure to immediately become an American was pretty overdone, at least for the 21st century. Kids nowadays are a whole lot more accepting of other cultures, especially in places like California.
All that being said, there were parts of the book that I really did like. I thought that Lupe's point of view was very well done (especially compared to Margie's.) The author did great job showing how her happiness and curiosity from being in a new place mixed with worry about how Margie might resent her (which she did, by the way). I liked Lupe a whole lot better than Margie.
I also really liked Camille, and how shocked Margie was when Camille revealed that her father's side of the family was Cuban:
Margie looked at Camille as if she had never seen her before. This tall blond girl, with such fair skin and no accent, had a Latino father. There was no question she was American, but she didn't seem to mind that her relatives were not.
"And here I thought you were totally American," Margie replied, completely surprised.
"That's funny, so did I," said Camille, laughing. "I am American, and I'm the same person you knew before you found out that half my family comes from other countries."
Way to tell her off, Camille. That girl needed to be taken down a notch.
The author also threw in some great passages about the American way of life, including my personal favorite:
Lupe was surprised at the way Margie would constantly skip songs and change CDs. She would have preferred to hear each song all the way through until it finished. Just as Lupe was starting to understand some of the words in the song, Margie would skip to the next one or open the player to switch discs. Whenever a song was playing, Margie was already looking for the next CD she wanted to hear.
Now, as she looked at the CD player, Lupe thought, Yes, that's how I feel in this country, always fast-forwarded. The minute I think I have caught up with things, it turns out that I need to learn something new.
Yep, that's America. Life in the fastlane, always.
Judging from the cover, I had expected dancing to play a somewhat larger role in the majority of the story, but it didn't really become a big deal until about 3/4 of the way in. I didn't really mind though. I really don't like the title- I feel like it doesn't really make sense with the story.
All in all, this book was fine. Not great, not bad, but just kinda fine. I don't think I would read it again, and I probably wouldn't recommend it (just because of how I find it somewhat unrealistic, at least on Margie's side). However, I did enjoy reading it, so 3 stars.
July 20, 2021
4/5✰
Es un libro muy lindo que nos enseña la importancia de siempre aceptar nuestras raíces✨
Es un libro muy lindo que nos enseña la importancia de siempre aceptar nuestras raíces✨
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January 16, 2015Dancing Home was such a sweet, gentle story about family, identity, and embracing your culture. Margie is struggling because the kids at school pick on her for being Mexican. Except she’s as American as they are having been born in Texas. She’s finally gotten to a point where she has some friends, has her hair right, and goes by Margie instead of Margarita, when her cousin shows up from Mexico. This seems to remind the kids that Margie is still different and they start picking on her again.
Despite this theme I wouldn’t call the book a bullying book. The kids poke fun at her, but the real focus is on Margie learning to accept her cousin (who has a difficult backstory of her own) and accept her heritage. Lupe’s presence in her home brings a lot of their culture back that Margie has asked her parents to give up. Her mother begins cooking more Mexican food again, they speak in Spanish, and they put out a nativity scene instead of a Christmas tree. Margie begins to realize she wishes she was more a part of this culture. She also realizes she likes a lot of it despite wanting so desperately to feel “normal”.
Margie also is lucky to have a new girl arrive in class who sits next to her and strikes up a friendship. Camille is one of those totally confident kids who is also a little bit nerdy and she manages to bring Margie along showing her that it’s okay to be different. Margie is surprised to discover that Camille, despite being pale and blonde, is actually part Cuban and Panamanian and she totally embraces it. This adds another chink in the armor Margie has built around herself.
One aspect I really appreciated about the story was the piece about Lupe’s father. He illegally came to the US years before and stopped sending money or letters home. Lupe’s mother finally moved on, got a job, remarried, and had twins. Life wasn’t easy. They were sad and then her mother had to work long hours to support them and letting go hasn’t been as easy for Lupe who never wanted accept that she would never see her father again. While she didn’t have a plan for how to contact her father she hopes that he may track her down. He does eventually turn up with a broken leg much to the surprise of everyone. He confirms the rumor that he has a new family and is living in Texas. A lot of kidlit books make these plot lines happy and syrupy sweet: Lupe would have been joyously reunited with her father who just wasn’t able to return home but still loves the family dearly. While the book skips anything lurid, it isn’t the happy, fantasy ending you might expect and is probably a lot closer to the reality of what might happen in that situation. And Lupe and Margie handle the situation well.
My only complaint was that the book could feel a little didactic. The girls were more introspective than fifth graders usually are and sometimes sounded more like they were thirty year olds visiting their therapists in how they talked through their issues and came to conclusions about their feelings. Because of this I think it might make a better book for classes to read together. There are plenty of themes about teasing, culture, being new, and straddling cultures, but I would also give it to kids who like gentle stories. When I added it to my TBR pile I thought it was middle grade (meaning for middle school) and while a middle schooler, especially a sixth grader, might enjoy this, its length and language make it better suited to upper elementary.
Despite this theme I wouldn’t call the book a bullying book. The kids poke fun at her, but the real focus is on Margie learning to accept her cousin (who has a difficult backstory of her own) and accept her heritage. Lupe’s presence in her home brings a lot of their culture back that Margie has asked her parents to give up. Her mother begins cooking more Mexican food again, they speak in Spanish, and they put out a nativity scene instead of a Christmas tree. Margie begins to realize she wishes she was more a part of this culture. She also realizes she likes a lot of it despite wanting so desperately to feel “normal”.
Margie also is lucky to have a new girl arrive in class who sits next to her and strikes up a friendship. Camille is one of those totally confident kids who is also a little bit nerdy and she manages to bring Margie along showing her that it’s okay to be different. Margie is surprised to discover that Camille, despite being pale and blonde, is actually part Cuban and Panamanian and she totally embraces it. This adds another chink in the armor Margie has built around herself.
One aspect I really appreciated about the story was the piece about Lupe’s father. He illegally came to the US years before and stopped sending money or letters home. Lupe’s mother finally moved on, got a job, remarried, and had twins. Life wasn’t easy. They were sad and then her mother had to work long hours to support them and letting go hasn’t been as easy for Lupe who never wanted accept that she would never see her father again. While she didn’t have a plan for how to contact her father she hopes that he may track her down. He does eventually turn up with a broken leg much to the surprise of everyone. He confirms the rumor that he has a new family and is living in Texas. A lot of kidlit books make these plot lines happy and syrupy sweet: Lupe would have been joyously reunited with her father who just wasn’t able to return home but still loves the family dearly. While the book skips anything lurid, it isn’t the happy, fantasy ending you might expect and is probably a lot closer to the reality of what might happen in that situation. And Lupe and Margie handle the situation well.
My only complaint was that the book could feel a little didactic. The girls were more introspective than fifth graders usually are and sometimes sounded more like they were thirty year olds visiting their therapists in how they talked through their issues and came to conclusions about their feelings. Because of this I think it might make a better book for classes to read together. There are plenty of themes about teasing, culture, being new, and straddling cultures, but I would also give it to kids who like gentle stories. When I added it to my TBR pile I thought it was middle grade (meaning for middle school) and while a middle schooler, especially a sixth grader, might enjoy this, its length and language make it better suited to upper elementary.
June 20, 2012
Margie is American. She was born in Texas. She speaks English. These are things we learn about Margarita from the get go as we start to read Dancing Home.
Lupe is Mexican. Her father has long since disappeared to El Norte and has no contact with his daughter or her mother. All they know of him is rumor. Lupe's mother remarries and has twins. Her step-father while not mean, is unpleasant to be around and Lupe does not fit in.
Margie and Lupe are cousins. Margie the American, who is, little by little erasing her cultural identity. Lupe the Mexican, who is thrust into life in America when Margie's mother offers to sponsor her on a student visa.
At first Margie is glad to have her cousin come to live with them. However, when Lupe is put into Margie's class and not the bi-lingual class Margie gets a little bitter. Her classmates start to make fun of her and her memories of endless teasing come back to life. Added into this is the fact that Margie's parents are speaking more Spanish at home since Lupe is fluent. Margie starts to feel left out at home.
Lupe is nervous and unashamed when she comes to America. However, she starts to feel like her cousin Margie is mad at her. The girls begin to bond when Margie steps in as a stand in for the school group of folklorico dancers. Margie starts to see that her culture is something to be prized, not ashamed of.
Literary Quality:
Plot - The plot is well paced with suffecient detail.
Characters - Margie is a dynamic character. While a bit whiney at times she does grow as a character. Lupe is a good supporting character who gives the reader and excellent portrayl of what it is like to be an English Language Learner.
Originality of Text:
The text offers an interesting perspective of what life is like for Mexican Americans and migrant workers from Mexico. The strong representation of the Mexican culture is something unique. The reader does not only learn about the importance of language but also customs and traditions.
Clarity/Style of Language:
The book is presented in a clear manner.
Illustration: N/A
Design/Format: Chapter Book
The author does an excellent job of crafting the book to stay up with the struggles of the main characters Margie and Lupe.
Subject Appeal to Children:
This book will be appealing to students who are or were English Language Learners. The book will also be popular with children who can identify with the cultures that are represented. THIS IS A GOOD BOOK. I do not know how well it will appeal to children as a whole.
Acceptance by Children:
See Subject Appeal
Summary:
A great book for Latino patrons. A great book for a read aloud in a school that has a high immigrant population (regardless of origin).
Lupe is Mexican. Her father has long since disappeared to El Norte and has no contact with his daughter or her mother. All they know of him is rumor. Lupe's mother remarries and has twins. Her step-father while not mean, is unpleasant to be around and Lupe does not fit in.
Margie and Lupe are cousins. Margie the American, who is, little by little erasing her cultural identity. Lupe the Mexican, who is thrust into life in America when Margie's mother offers to sponsor her on a student visa.
At first Margie is glad to have her cousin come to live with them. However, when Lupe is put into Margie's class and not the bi-lingual class Margie gets a little bitter. Her classmates start to make fun of her and her memories of endless teasing come back to life. Added into this is the fact that Margie's parents are speaking more Spanish at home since Lupe is fluent. Margie starts to feel left out at home.
Lupe is nervous and unashamed when she comes to America. However, she starts to feel like her cousin Margie is mad at her. The girls begin to bond when Margie steps in as a stand in for the school group of folklorico dancers. Margie starts to see that her culture is something to be prized, not ashamed of.
Literary Quality:
Plot - The plot is well paced with suffecient detail.
Characters - Margie is a dynamic character. While a bit whiney at times she does grow as a character. Lupe is a good supporting character who gives the reader and excellent portrayl of what it is like to be an English Language Learner.
Originality of Text:
The text offers an interesting perspective of what life is like for Mexican Americans and migrant workers from Mexico. The strong representation of the Mexican culture is something unique. The reader does not only learn about the importance of language but also customs and traditions.
Clarity/Style of Language:
The book is presented in a clear manner.
Illustration: N/A
Design/Format: Chapter Book
The author does an excellent job of crafting the book to stay up with the struggles of the main characters Margie and Lupe.
Subject Appeal to Children:
This book will be appealing to students who are or were English Language Learners. The book will also be popular with children who can identify with the cultures that are represented. THIS IS A GOOD BOOK. I do not know how well it will appeal to children as a whole.
Acceptance by Children:
See Subject Appeal
Summary:
A great book for Latino patrons. A great book for a read aloud in a school that has a high immigrant population (regardless of origin).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2020
Margie's parents were both born in Mexico and legally immigrated to the US, but she was born in Texas and is proud to be American, perhaps too proud. She wants nothing to do with her Mexican roots. She avoids speaking Spanish and begs her parents to speak English both in public and at home. She doesn't want to take part in any Hispanic cultural practices and even refuses to go by her real name, Margarita, for fear that her classmates will tease her. By the time she enters 4th grade she has lost most of the Spanish she learned as a toddler. But she is ever-conscious of her need to reinforce her status as a real American.
Then her cousin Lupe comes to live with her family in Southern California, and everything changes. Her classmates begin to tease her again when she must sit by Lupe in the classroom. Her teachers expect Margie to translate for Lupe, but her limited Spanish makes that impossible. Margie is embarrassed and resentful, especially when her parents begin speaking Spanish more and more at home, reminiscing about their childhoods on Mexico, and treating Lupe like their own daughter. When space opens for Lupe in the bilingual classroom Margie hopes the teasing will die down. It takes time, the friendship of a new girl, a folklorica dance group, and some surprising revelations to make Margarita realize what it means to a real American and a real family.
Alma's latest novel is an outstanding addition for library collections serving elementary school children regardless of whether there is a large Hispanic population. Universal themes and round, dynamic characters lend themselves to a better understanding of all cultural groups.
Then her cousin Lupe comes to live with her family in Southern California, and everything changes. Her classmates begin to tease her again when she must sit by Lupe in the classroom. Her teachers expect Margie to translate for Lupe, but her limited Spanish makes that impossible. Margie is embarrassed and resentful, especially when her parents begin speaking Spanish more and more at home, reminiscing about their childhoods on Mexico, and treating Lupe like their own daughter. When space opens for Lupe in the bilingual classroom Margie hopes the teasing will die down. It takes time, the friendship of a new girl, a folklorica dance group, and some surprising revelations to make Margarita realize what it means to a real American and a real family.
Alma's latest novel is an outstanding addition for library collections serving elementary school children regardless of whether there is a large Hispanic population. Universal themes and round, dynamic characters lend themselves to a better understanding of all cultural groups.
August 9, 2015
Margie's parents are Mexican. She was born in Texas and tries so hard to identify as "American." Her cousin Lupe comes from Mexico to stay with the family and Margie has to figure out what it means to be American, but also Mexican.
This is a middle grade novel and all in all pretty fluffy, while still dealing with some real questions. What I mean is, the only question in this book is dealing with culture and identity as the child of immigrants. The two cousins don't get in any mean fights (although they could have because Margie is pretty upset in the beginning). Kids at school are mean, but are not massive bullies. There is no huge conflict. It's just a great story walking kids through the importance of being able to be both American and Mexican or Armenian or wherever their family comes from. It had me tearing up in places.
About halfway through, this is what Margie is feeling and thinking:
My parents feel so Mexican all of a sudden. How can I be as American as I want to be and still feel close to them? she kept asking herself. Even what it meant to be "American" seemed less clear to her than before, when she had thought it was simply a matter of where you were born or the papers you had.
NOTE: I started reading this a while ago and totally LOST the book somewhere between the doctor's office and my apartment. I was so frustrated! I finally reported it lost to the library, paid for it, and checked out another copy so I could finish the story. So frustrating.
This is a middle grade novel and all in all pretty fluffy, while still dealing with some real questions. What I mean is, the only question in this book is dealing with culture and identity as the child of immigrants. The two cousins don't get in any mean fights (although they could have because Margie is pretty upset in the beginning). Kids at school are mean, but are not massive bullies. There is no huge conflict. It's just a great story walking kids through the importance of being able to be both American and Mexican or Armenian or wherever their family comes from. It had me tearing up in places.
About halfway through, this is what Margie is feeling and thinking:
My parents feel so Mexican all of a sudden. How can I be as American as I want to be and still feel close to them? she kept asking herself. Even what it meant to be "American" seemed less clear to her than before, when she had thought it was simply a matter of where you were born or the papers you had.
NOTE: I started reading this a while ago and totally LOST the book somewhere between the doctor's office and my apartment. I was so frustrated! I finally reported it lost to the library, paid for it, and checked out another copy so I could finish the story. So frustrating.
April 7, 2018
En el libro "Nacer Bailando" por Alma Flor Ada, hay muchas problemas comunes que todos tenemos en todo parte del mundo. En el libro Margie tiene una problema con su identidad. Ella piensa que ella es 100% americana. Pero en realidad ella es 50% americana y 50% mexicana. Sus padres son de Mexico pero para ella México es un país de "donde ella no es". Margie a convencido otros niños en su escuela que ella es 100% Americana como ellos. Ella tiene problemas con su identidad porque ella quiere ser una persona como los niños en su escuela. Pero en realidad ella es hispana nacida en los Estados Unidos. Muchas personas que tiene familias latinos piensa que tener una familia diferente en los Estados Unidos es malo. Piensan que ser diferente es bueno y ser igual como los otros. Esto es muy malo para la sociedad y crea conflictos. Muchas personas tiene está problema hoy en día. Por eso este problema es común en todo parte del mundo y en el libro. Otro problema es con su prima Lupe. Ella es de México y se muda con la familia de su prima Margie en los Estados Unidos. Está problem es muy difícil para ella porque ella tiene que comienzar de nuevo y aprenderse una nueva idióma que es el inglés. Personas que se mudan a otra país es muy difícil para ellos. Tiene que comienzar de nuevo. Como buscar un nuevo trabajo, aprenderse la idióma del país y conocer el pueblo. Muchas personas tiene esta problema en todo parte del mundo. Por eso, el libro "Nacer bailando" muchas personas tiene los mismo problemas que hay en el libro.
September 13, 2016
This book is cute. It's the story of cousins who come from very different worlds: Margie lives in California with both of her parents, Lupe is from Mexico where she lives with her mother who has moved on to a new man and has young twins after Lupe's father disappeared in America. Margie's mother invites Lupe to come stay with them in California.
Things change for Margie after Lupe arrives. The other kids at school begin teasing her again, and she's expected the translate the teacher's words for Lupe, but Margie doesn't speak Spanish fluently anymore. Margie begins questioning her own identity as her parents seem closer to Lupe than they do to her.
I enjoyed reading about these girls coming together. Margie has a wonderful new friend who helps bridge the gap. The characters in this book seemed genuine. The POV changes back and forth between Lupe and Margie, which was a little confusing as it's all in third person, but helpful to get insight into the two girls' minds.
The adults in this book were a little ridiculous at times, especially at the school, but the sentiment was good. A lot went on during this short book, but it worked fairly well. There is a lot to discuss with this book, but it's not too heavy for middle grade readers. And the Spanish phrases were easy to understand as they were almost always repeated in English.
http://www.momsradius.com/2016/09/rea...
Things change for Margie after Lupe arrives. The other kids at school begin teasing her again, and she's expected the translate the teacher's words for Lupe, but Margie doesn't speak Spanish fluently anymore. Margie begins questioning her own identity as her parents seem closer to Lupe than they do to her.
I enjoyed reading about these girls coming together. Margie has a wonderful new friend who helps bridge the gap. The characters in this book seemed genuine. The POV changes back and forth between Lupe and Margie, which was a little confusing as it's all in third person, but helpful to get insight into the two girls' minds.
The adults in this book were a little ridiculous at times, especially at the school, but the sentiment was good. A lot went on during this short book, but it worked fairly well. There is a lot to discuss with this book, but it's not too heavy for middle grade readers. And the Spanish phrases were easy to understand as they were almost always repeated in English.
http://www.momsradius.com/2016/09/rea...
August 26, 2011
Lupe moves from Mexico to United States to live with family. Lupe will be in the same grade, (fifth) as her cousin Margarita who goes by Margie. The story alternates between the cousins. Margie does everything she can to fit in and not be teased for being Mexican. Lupe is trying very hard to learn English and adjust to life in the United States.
Lupe and Margie's voices blend very well together making for smooth transitions. At one point Margie is reading How Tia Lola Came to (Visit) Stay for class, which I thought was a very sweet nod to Julia Alvarez. I loved the beginning it says so much as to why Margie does everything she can to distance herself from her Mexican roots.
"Margie felt nervous having to wait outside the principal's office. She kept her eyes fixed on the huge map that covered the entire wall. Mrs. Donaldson seemed to be a plesant woman, but Margie had never had to address the principal all by herself before. The map's colors were vivid and bold showing Canada, the United States, and part of Mexico. Alaska and the rest of the United States were a strong green; Canada was a bright yellow. The reminder of the map, however, showed only a small part of Mexico in a drab sandlike color Margie could not name. "
The author created two realistic characters in Lupe and Margie. They both made Dancing Home a very nice story and a pleasure to read. 3.5 out of 5
Lupe and Margie's voices blend very well together making for smooth transitions. At one point Margie is reading How Tia Lola Came to (Visit) Stay for class, which I thought was a very sweet nod to Julia Alvarez. I loved the beginning it says so much as to why Margie does everything she can to distance herself from her Mexican roots.
"Margie felt nervous having to wait outside the principal's office. She kept her eyes fixed on the huge map that covered the entire wall. Mrs. Donaldson seemed to be a plesant woman, but Margie had never had to address the principal all by herself before. The map's colors were vivid and bold showing Canada, the United States, and part of Mexico. Alaska and the rest of the United States were a strong green; Canada was a bright yellow. The reminder of the map, however, showed only a small part of Mexico in a drab sandlike color Margie could not name. "
The author created two realistic characters in Lupe and Margie. They both made Dancing Home a very nice story and a pleasure to read. 3.5 out of 5
September 18, 2011
Margarita, who goes by Margie, just wants to fit in. She was born in America, and she is American, and she wants to forget--wants everyone else to forget--that her parents are both from Mexico. That they speak Spanish at home and have family in Mexico and are...well, Mexican. That gets a lot more difficult when Margie's cousin, Lupe, comes to live with her family. Lupe has lived in Mexico her entire life, has a long, black braid just like all the stereotypical Mexican girls, and she doesn't speak English, really, at all.
Oh, gee, what can I say. I love the cover of this book. I like the idea of this book--a little girl forced to confront and eventually accept her Mexican heritage at the same time as her cousin is wishing away all the new American oddness in her life and finding comfort in the Spanish language and the traditions of Mexico. But it didn't really work for me. I felt like the author was maybe underestimating her audience--it was just too dumbed down, overly didactic. And while I think all of the--the dolphins and elephants--were part of an attempt to tie the story in with the A Margarita poem, um. I don't know. I was distracted by the marine biology stuff. And Camille was 100% Too Conveniently Located Mary Sue.
Oh, gee, what can I say. I love the cover of this book. I like the idea of this book--a little girl forced to confront and eventually accept her Mexican heritage at the same time as her cousin is wishing away all the new American oddness in her life and finding comfort in the Spanish language and the traditions of Mexico. But it didn't really work for me. I felt like the author was maybe underestimating her audience--it was just too dumbed down, overly didactic. And while I think all of the--the dolphins and elephants--were part of an attempt to tie the story in with the A Margarita poem, um. I don't know. I was distracted by the marine biology stuff. And Camille was 100% Too Conveniently Located Mary Sue.
December 1, 2011
Fifth grader Margie has left much of her cultural heritage behind her. She has changed her name from Margarita to Margie, hardly knows a word of Spanish, and embraces American food and customs. After all, she was born in Texas, not Mexico, and considers herself American to the core. Mexico is a country far to the south of where she lives in California, a place about which she never thinks. When her cousin Lupe joins the family, though, Margie is embarrassed about her foreign-ness since she knows that some of her classmates will tease them both for being different. Although that does happen, Margie's new friend Camille shows her that ignoring the bullies or confronting them about their ignorance is one way to shut them down. As Margie and Lupe embrace the mingling of their cultures, they become friends as well as cousins, and Margie realizes that it may be necessary to embrace part of your cultural identity in order to be true to yourself. Although some parts of the title seem unlikely, such as the sudden arrival of Lupe's father and her mother's willingness to let her live in the United States as well as the lack of other Latina students in Margie's classroom, the book is as appealing and heartfelt in its own way as the earlier My Name Is Maria Isabel.
June 25, 2012
It was amazing to see Miss Alma in person at the Virginia Hamilton Diversity Literature for Children Conference and hear how this story came about from her own family. I can imagine that this would be a situation for many similar to Margie and Lupe. The story is very sweet telling what was happening from Margie's perspecitve about her being born in America but having parents born in Mexico. At first she doesn't want to have anything to do with her Mexican heritage and wants to be "American". When her cousin Lupe comes to visit with her and is enrolled in her school, Margie resents her and does not want to help her get acclimated to the new country and new school. By the end however through a variety of experiences Margie comes to love and appreciate her cousin very much and they become friends. She pleads for Lupe to stay with their family instead of going back to Texas with her true family. It is a story that shows the strength and vulnerabilities that we all have in regards to our families and heritage. Very nice story.
June 6, 2013
This is the second book on our 2014 state award masterlist suited to ELL appreciation. I enjoyed the themes in this book because they speak to multiple cultures in our country. I also appreciated the viewpoint from those who are bullied and the main character who ponders "does being American mean you bully whoever isn't?" This story explains the experience of many immigrants in terms that most of us can relate to in life. We all want to "belong" and feel that we "contribute", but too often we take things too personally. Margie and her cousin have to work at their relationship, but find that their efforts are rewarded with great family bonds and new friends. I particularly enjoyed the character of Camille, who exemplifies characteristics and attitudes that I wish more of us had. Her congenial generosity is something we all need more of each day. I'm not sure how many students will enjoy the book, but I see this as an effective teaching tool. I know a few students who will really love this story!
February 19, 2015
Margie is determined to be as 'American' as she can and when her non-English speaking cousin joins her at school she is mortified to be associated with her. She's done her best to erase her Mexican heritage from the eyes of her fellow classmates and all Lupe is doing is shining a light on their ethnicity. And not only is she getting teased at school, but she finds herself being left out at home as well with her parents speaking more Spanish to her cousin than English to her.
Just like American Born Chinese, you have characters who want to strip away their culture to fit in with who they think everyone is. And just like Jin Wang, Margie discovers that maybe she's missing out by denying her culture.
I loved this book in the way that I checked it out from the library again so Emma could read it. I want her to read about what it's like to be different so that maybe she can recognize that in others as well as appreciating her ethnicity and what it means to be Mexican or Japanese, or Irish or English or whatever!
Just like American Born Chinese, you have characters who want to strip away their culture to fit in with who they think everyone is. And just like Jin Wang, Margie discovers that maybe she's missing out by denying her culture.
I loved this book in the way that I checked it out from the library again so Emma could read it. I want her to read about what it's like to be different so that maybe she can recognize that in others as well as appreciating her ethnicity and what it means to be Mexican or Japanese, or Irish or English or whatever!
March 1, 2015
I absolutely loved This book. I am a proud Mexican American and I could relate so much to what Margie was going through. To try to be full American because you want to fit in and you want to be the same with all the blond hair and blue eyed people.
In this book you get to see Margie and Lupe's story. Margie was born in Texas but has Mexican parents and she gets teased by her classmates for being different. So in order to fit in she decides to do away with everything that makes her different her name for one which is really Margarita she changes it to Margie because it sounds more American. She even tries to have her parents become more American and doing away with all the beautiful Mexican traditions.
This changes when Lupe her cousin comes from Mexico. Lupe does not know English and has a hard time fitting in with the rest of her class until she gets put in a bilingual class. As the months proceed the two girls share each other the beauty of both cultures.
Great book!! Loved it!!
In this book you get to see Margie and Lupe's story. Margie was born in Texas but has Mexican parents and she gets teased by her classmates for being different. So in order to fit in she decides to do away with everything that makes her different her name for one which is really Margarita she changes it to Margie because it sounds more American. She even tries to have her parents become more American and doing away with all the beautiful Mexican traditions.
This changes when Lupe her cousin comes from Mexico. Lupe does not know English and has a hard time fitting in with the rest of her class until she gets put in a bilingual class. As the months proceed the two girls share each other the beauty of both cultures.
Great book!! Loved it!!
March 19, 2017
This is the story of two fifth grade girls who are cousins. Margie was born in the US to Latino parents but wants to be thought of as American. Lupe grew up in Mexico until she comes to live with her aunt, uncle and cousin. Margie does not want Lupe around her but by having Lupe at her house Margie learns a lot of about her heritage and herself. I love the message that this book presents and while it may appear to be preachy at times, I think it resonates and is an important message for kids to hear. I think this is a book that intermediate grade readers should read to discuss about the book, perhaps in literature circles. It is a book that I am highly considering for a group of Latino students to read as many of them are in Margie's situation. There are a lot of Spanish phrases in the book but they are all explained in the following text, not just translated right afterwards.
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