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Tia Lola Stories #4
How Tia Lola Ended Up Starting Over
Welcome to Tia Lola's bed and breakfast! With the help of her niece and nephew and the three Sword Sisters, Tía Lola is opening the doors of Colonel Charlebois' grand old Vermont house to visitors from all over. But Tía Lola and the children soon realize that running a B & B isn't as easy they had initially thought--especially when it appears that someone is out to sabotage them! Will Tía Lola and the kids discover who's behind the plot to make their B & B fail? And will Tía Lola's family and friends be able to plan her a surprise birthday party in her own B & B without her finding out?
The last book in the Tía Lola Stories
The last book in the Tía Lola Stories
160 pages, Hardcover
First published September 13, 2011
29 people are currently reading
206 people want to read
About the author
Julia Alvarez
93 books4,088 followersJulia Alvarez left the Dominican Republic for the United States in 1960 at the age of ten. She is the author of six novels, three books of nonfiction, three collections of poetry, and eleven books for children and young adults. She has taught and mentored writers in schools and communities across America and, until her retirement in 2016, was a writer-in-residence at Middlebury College. Her work has garnered wide recognition, including a Latina Leader Award in Literature from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, the Hispanic Heritage Award in Literature, the Woman of the Year by Latina magazine, and inclusion in the New York Public Library’s program “The Hand of the Poet: Original Manuscripts by 100 Masters, from John Donne to Julia Alvarez.” In the Time of the Butterflies, with over one million copies in print, was selected by the National Endowment for the Arts for its national Big Read program, and in 2013 President Obama awarded Alvarez the National Medal of Arts in recognition of her extraordinary storytelling.
Photo copyright by Brandon Cruz González
EL VOCERO DE PUERTO RICO
Photo copyright by Brandon Cruz González
EL VOCERO DE PUERTO RICO
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 14, 2011
This fourth and final installment of Julia Alvarez’s Tia Lola Stories ends on a high note: with a new beginning and another invitation. Tia Lola shouldn’t be easily discarded, and these stories are most certainly here to stay.
Tia Lola is all about helping those around her, whether they are family or community. The Espadas could use help as (the father) Victor deals with some (not uncommon) life-changing decisions. It is lovely when the solution for a source of Income can benefit more than the Espadas, but Colonel Charlebois, Tia Lola, and truly the community at large as well.
Of course not, everyone is pleased with this foreigner coming in and shaking things up—even if the change is needed—even if said hateful person brought trouble upon herself. We learn hard places can have good outcomes and bad ones, depending on the choices one makes, and depending on the support they have from family and community. Tia Lola responds to threat with caution and compassion, a good choice with a good outcome. Julia Alvarez proves deft yet again, in tackling the difficulties life can bring with courage and creative thinking—and the blessing of a greater world view.
In an increasingly familiar landscape of broken and re-stitched families Tia Lola continually brings her cultural upbringing with her, and not just to Vermont. In Ended Up Starting Over she shares her idea of family as Miguel’s and Juanita’s family is on the verge of growing exponentially.
“In this country, children have only nuclear families: mama, papa. That’s it!” She holds out two empty palms. “So few to love and be loved by. Back home, we have huge familias, with mama, papa, abuelitos, grandparents, tios, tias, uncles and aunts, primos, primas, cousins and more cousins, and many amigos. Now you , too, will have a big familia in this country.” (112)
Tia Lola maintains the children’s best interests in a world of adults and scary situations. She helps them problem solve, validates their feelings, and encourages their talents, as well as their innately compassionate natures. Combining families can be a good thing (it is in this case), but it is tricky. Change can be scary, and what might get lost along the way? The children should have a voice, and Tia Lola helps them find it. She is empowering and, I think, inspiring for the young Reader.
Julia Alvarez is a wonderful storyteller. The 3rd-person is not wholly limited but moves between characters at whim (and benefit), but each chapter does take on a singular primary character’s point-of-view. The shift of point-of-view allows for greater development amongst all the characters the stories have acquired. And each player has concerns that contribute to a more complex story. The shifting of narrative is also fun. Alvarez has written some great characters and a few favorites are bound to connect with the Reader–whether boy or girl.
The mystery helps balance the familial dramas, even as it facilitates some of them. Alvarez has a gift for not insulting her audience while yet keeping a light-heart. For all the tension and seriousness of situation, Tia Lola (who is oft vulnerable herself) is source of hopefulness, a wise figure, and determined. Her solutions are creative, and rarely obvious. Alvarez is consistent in these stories. There is whimsy and humor and a lot of heart in Tia Lola and this Tia Lola novel.
It is fun part of this last Tia Lola Story how the students must finally outwit the teacher. And with the celebration of the marvelous Tia Lola, Julia Alvarez finesses an ending in a beginning, and in a return to the beginning book How Tia Lola Comes to Visit Stay. Alvarez resolves more than a few of the mysteries experienced since the beginning: Just how old is Tia Lola? and How might Tia Lola actually come to stay? etc. Such will please the Readers of previous books, and while I think the How Tia Lola Ended Up Starting Over has enough to please a new-to-Tia-Lola Reader, especially the Young Reader, it would be best to begin earlier.
Natalya swears by Return to Sender (Knopf, 2009). I, too, look forward to reading more from this versatile, yet consistently brilliant author, Julia Alvarez.
L @ omphaloskepsis
http://contemplatrix.wordpress.com/20...
Tia Lola is all about helping those around her, whether they are family or community. The Espadas could use help as (the father) Victor deals with some (not uncommon) life-changing decisions. It is lovely when the solution for a source of Income can benefit more than the Espadas, but Colonel Charlebois, Tia Lola, and truly the community at large as well.
Of course not, everyone is pleased with this foreigner coming in and shaking things up—even if the change is needed—even if said hateful person brought trouble upon herself. We learn hard places can have good outcomes and bad ones, depending on the choices one makes, and depending on the support they have from family and community. Tia Lola responds to threat with caution and compassion, a good choice with a good outcome. Julia Alvarez proves deft yet again, in tackling the difficulties life can bring with courage and creative thinking—and the blessing of a greater world view.
In an increasingly familiar landscape of broken and re-stitched families Tia Lola continually brings her cultural upbringing with her, and not just to Vermont. In Ended Up Starting Over she shares her idea of family as Miguel’s and Juanita’s family is on the verge of growing exponentially.
“In this country, children have only nuclear families: mama, papa. That’s it!” She holds out two empty palms. “So few to love and be loved by. Back home, we have huge familias, with mama, papa, abuelitos, grandparents, tios, tias, uncles and aunts, primos, primas, cousins and more cousins, and many amigos. Now you , too, will have a big familia in this country.” (112)
Tia Lola maintains the children’s best interests in a world of adults and scary situations. She helps them problem solve, validates their feelings, and encourages their talents, as well as their innately compassionate natures. Combining families can be a good thing (it is in this case), but it is tricky. Change can be scary, and what might get lost along the way? The children should have a voice, and Tia Lola helps them find it. She is empowering and, I think, inspiring for the young Reader.
Julia Alvarez is a wonderful storyteller. The 3rd-person is not wholly limited but moves between characters at whim (and benefit), but each chapter does take on a singular primary character’s point-of-view. The shift of point-of-view allows for greater development amongst all the characters the stories have acquired. And each player has concerns that contribute to a more complex story. The shifting of narrative is also fun. Alvarez has written some great characters and a few favorites are bound to connect with the Reader–whether boy or girl.
The mystery helps balance the familial dramas, even as it facilitates some of them. Alvarez has a gift for not insulting her audience while yet keeping a light-heart. For all the tension and seriousness of situation, Tia Lola (who is oft vulnerable herself) is source of hopefulness, a wise figure, and determined. Her solutions are creative, and rarely obvious. Alvarez is consistent in these stories. There is whimsy and humor and a lot of heart in Tia Lola and this Tia Lola novel.
It is fun part of this last Tia Lola Story how the students must finally outwit the teacher. And with the celebration of the marvelous Tia Lola, Julia Alvarez finesses an ending in a beginning, and in a return to the beginning book How Tia Lola Comes to Visit Stay. Alvarez resolves more than a few of the mysteries experienced since the beginning: Just how old is Tia Lola? and How might Tia Lola actually come to stay? etc. Such will please the Readers of previous books, and while I think the How Tia Lola Ended Up Starting Over has enough to please a new-to-Tia-Lola Reader, especially the Young Reader, it would be best to begin earlier.
Natalya swears by Return to Sender (Knopf, 2009). I, too, look forward to reading more from this versatile, yet consistently brilliant author, Julia Alvarez.
L @ omphaloskepsis
http://contemplatrix.wordpress.com/20...
December 31, 2014
This lovely ending to the "Tia Lola" quartet, is Julia Alvarez's final book. True to the other three "Tia Lola" installments, Alvarez captures the challenges faced by kids of immigrants as they adjust to life in a new town, and as their family changes due to divorce and remarriage.
The Sword sisters have moved to Vermont, and their father and Juanita and Miguel's mother are getting married! Tia Lola opens a B & B, and a family feud is circumvented as Tia Lola's competition down the road becomes friend, not foe.
If only life were as perfect as Alvarez paints it to be. The perfection comes from the warm, close-nit rural community in Vermont, the tidy divorce between Mama and Papi who are still be friends (and their respective fiancees are colleagues!), step siblings who appreciate each other and actually want their families to merge, and a larger-than-life aunt who is a mother, father, friend and creative genius all-in-one. Despite this seemingly perfect world, Alvarez does an authentic job delving into her characters fears and foibles, showing that deep down, kids have insecurities and that with the proper support, they can rise to any occasion presented before them. If only kids in real life would be blessed to have as much support as Juanita and Miguel -- the world would be a great place!
The Sword sisters have moved to Vermont, and their father and Juanita and Miguel's mother are getting married! Tia Lola opens a B & B, and a family feud is circumvented as Tia Lola's competition down the road becomes friend, not foe.
If only life were as perfect as Alvarez paints it to be. The perfection comes from the warm, close-nit rural community in Vermont, the tidy divorce between Mama and Papi who are still be friends (and their respective fiancees are colleagues!), step siblings who appreciate each other and actually want their families to merge, and a larger-than-life aunt who is a mother, father, friend and creative genius all-in-one. Despite this seemingly perfect world, Alvarez does an authentic job delving into her characters fears and foibles, showing that deep down, kids have insecurities and that with the proper support, they can rise to any occasion presented before them. If only kids in real life would be blessed to have as much support as Juanita and Miguel -- the world would be a great place!
July 29, 2016
Victor's family has moved in with Colonel Charlebois, and have opened his house as a Bed and Breakfast (mostly managed by Tia Lola) Someone is trying to prevent them from being successful, and Tia Lola thinks she knows who is causing trouble with every house guest that arrives. Can Miguel and Essie stop the pranks and save their new business? Another sequel to How Tia Lola Came To (Visit) Stay (read them in order, this one comes after How Tia Lola Saved the Summer"). The original children (Miguel and Juanita) as well as Tia Lola are much less present in this book than in the others. Alvarez is developing the stories of Victor's daughters and the original characters have taken a back seat. In fact, Tia Lola is almost a minor part of this story. Where's the magic? I didn't love this as much as the previous books, but, as part of a series, I still think it's essential. This is the last book in the series so you might as well read them all.
Crossposted to http://www.kissthebook.blogspot.com Check it out
Crossposted to http://www.kissthebook.blogspot.com Check it out
June 4, 2014
this book is about a Hispanic family that all come together to have a nice outing. They at least think it was going to be nice outing. Have you ever tried to do something or plan something but something doesn't seem right, well if you have you can relate to this book. In this Tia Lola book multiple things happen. Tia Lola and the kids all try to figure out what is going on with their planning. Come to find out someone is purposely trying to ruin things. They all wonder who would do such things but they can't figure it out. But that's not all Tia Lola's family try to do something special for her with out her finding out. It was really hard for them because Tia Lola was always one step ahead. If you really want to find out if they succeed in finding the culprit or what the surprise is I suggest you read this amazing book.
November 3, 2018
Carolina Lopez
Cuando era más joven mi tía vino de Guatemala para ayudar a mi familia después de que mi papá se murió. Esto es similar a Tía Lola porque ella vino todo el camino desde la República Dominicana para ayudar a su familia después del divorcio .Ella sin duda fue el pegamento manteniendo a nuestra familia juntos durante este tiempo difícil. Esto es lo que hizo Tía Lola. Ella levantó los espíritus de las familias y les ayudó con sus problemas financieros y emocionales.Mi tía es como mi segunda madre y no tengo ni idea de dónde estaría sin ella. Ella fue la razón por la que todos pudimos funcionar de nuevo. Creo que esto es similar a la situación en el libro. Tia Lola es muy importante y crucial en el libro y en la familia, igual a mi Tía. Tía Lola y mi tía son mujeres fuertes y cariñosas y yo los admiro mucho por eso.
Cuando era más joven mi tía vino de Guatemala para ayudar a mi familia después de que mi papá se murió. Esto es similar a Tía Lola porque ella vino todo el camino desde la República Dominicana para ayudar a su familia después del divorcio .Ella sin duda fue el pegamento manteniendo a nuestra familia juntos durante este tiempo difícil. Esto es lo que hizo Tía Lola. Ella levantó los espíritus de las familias y les ayudó con sus problemas financieros y emocionales.Mi tía es como mi segunda madre y no tengo ni idea de dónde estaría sin ella. Ella fue la razón por la que todos pudimos funcionar de nuevo. Creo que esto es similar a la situación en el libro. Tia Lola es muy importante y crucial en el libro y en la familia, igual a mi Tía. Tía Lola y mi tía son mujeres fuertes y cariñosas y yo los admiro mucho por eso.
December 19, 2011
Read my summary for book three in the series, How Tía Lola Saved the Summer, to learn more about this series for children. This is book four in the series, and I think I liked this more than book three. It could be that I liked it more since I knew more about the characters (I started with book three). In this book, the Espadas have also moved to Vermont, Tía Lola opens a bed-and-breakfast (and very mysterious things begin to happen!), and the families (Guzman and Espada) make a birthday party for Colonel Charlebois and try to also celebrate Tía Lola since she is very special. This is also the book in which Linda and Victor decide to get married!
January 28, 2013
How Tia Lola Ended Up Starting Over is the fourth book and satisfying conclusion to the wholesome and heartwarming Tia Lola series about a remarkable Mary Poppins-esque aunt from the Dominican Republic. As in previous books, the story has an over-arching plot line, but also several vignettes involving each of the children, which all wrap up with feel-good messages. The background of this book revolves around Julia and Miguel's divorced parents each preparing to marry new spouses. The blended family is very amicable, and at one point the children all have the opportunity to...(click for full review: http://www.storysnoops.com/detail.php...)
January 4, 2012
Not the strongest of the Tia Lola stories, probably because there are so many issues brought in, but still quite good. I didn't much care for the last chapter/la napa, which totally changed gears. I would almost have preferred that the story end after chapter 10. It is a good end to the series, though I think the third book is still my favorite.
February 12, 2015
Este libro no me gustó para nada, da muchos detalles y vueltas relatando una historia sumamente simple y predecible, entiendo que esta dirigida a un público joven, pero aun así, un buen autor respeta a su audiencia dando argumentos coherentes y con algún grado de profundidad, no escribiendo como un cuento de ensayo de una alumna de primaria, y jactándose de ya tener 4 libros de lo mismo...
November 6, 2011
Tia Lola and the kids start a Bed & Breakfast in the Colonel's big house in town after convincing the adults using "the thin edge of the wedge." However, someone is not happy about Tia Lola's B & B and is trying to ruin the new business venture before it even gets started.
July 24, 2012
Cute. The fourth book in a series. Some of it relies on the previous books and at some point there is some confusion. It is a children's chapter book. It is written for a child and it's plot hangs for children which is adequate.
June 5, 2017
I think this is a great book. Because it has many adventures and so many things that you can learn from this book. When I first started to read the book what popped into my mind was "This is a good book to read well, in my opinion, I thought this was a good book.
April 3, 2015
A nice addition to the Tia Lola books.
And a nice "napa" at the end about being able to read books from the library.
And a nice "napa" at the end about being able to read books from the library.
January 1, 2012
This is the final book in the Tia Lola series by Julia Alvarez.
January 5, 2012
Fourth and last in the Tia Lola series. Tia Lola starts a B&B with a lot of help from the kids, a true extended family affair. A little bit of mystery, a little bit of fun. Try them all. PK
February 13, 2012
Even Julia Alvarez knows that this series needs to end. Family changes and intrigue, but this book is not nearly as sweet or funny or heartwarming as the others. Stick to the first two.
May 29, 2018
Really enjoyed this series of books and especially loved the ending of this book. Very sweet and pro-library!
November 5, 2022
Sebastian Andrade
Algunos aspectos de este libro puedo decir que yo relacionado en ciertas partes. Cuando yo era niño yo creía que algunas cosas no eran ciertas. Por ejemplo, yo pienso que el Santa Claus ha existido por mucho tiempo, y cuando encontré que él no era verdadero estaba muy triste. Podemos ver esto muchas veces en este cuento porque cuando Miguel o Juanito tenían preguntas sobre ciertas cosas por la mayoría tiempo La tía Lola o alguien respondía con la verdad. Esto si era bueno pero si es de algo importante o de hacer a los niños felices no debieras hacerlo. Con esta información podemos hacer un razonable estimar que Miguel Y Juanita no eran felices. Pero esto no es verdadero porque ellos estaban muy felices viviendo con la tía Lola, ella era una buena persona con buen corazon. Me gusto como el libro hablo sobre muchos tópicos importantes como la familia los amigos y que importa en la vida. Yo recomiendo este libro a la gente que quieren un libro muy bueno para leer.
Algunos aspectos de este libro puedo decir que yo relacionado en ciertas partes. Cuando yo era niño yo creía que algunas cosas no eran ciertas. Por ejemplo, yo pienso que el Santa Claus ha existido por mucho tiempo, y cuando encontré que él no era verdadero estaba muy triste. Podemos ver esto muchas veces en este cuento porque cuando Miguel o Juanito tenían preguntas sobre ciertas cosas por la mayoría tiempo La tía Lola o alguien respondía con la verdad. Esto si era bueno pero si es de algo importante o de hacer a los niños felices no debieras hacerlo. Con esta información podemos hacer un razonable estimar que Miguel Y Juanita no eran felices. Pero esto no es verdadero porque ellos estaban muy felices viviendo con la tía Lola, ella era una buena persona con buen corazon. Me gusto como el libro hablo sobre muchos tópicos importantes como la familia los amigos y que importa en la vida. Yo recomiendo este libro a la gente que quieren un libro muy bueno para leer.
December 13, 2019
Highly recommend for adults and children alike! Better yet for families to read together~
February 1, 2021
Otro libro en español. Es un poco divertido y demasiado difícil para leer para practicar el idioma.
June 21, 2021
Took me awhile to get through, but it was an ok middle-grade book about blended families.
December 10, 2022
This was a quick read in Spanish which is apparently for young readers. I also found out that it's the last in a 4 book series about Tía Lola. The large, blended family theme is very entertaining and realistic. There was a little mystery to be solved. All in all, a light, delightful book by Julia Álvarez. Reading about Tía Lola would give you no idea about how diverse her writing is. For a heavy, adult topic, check out "In the Time of the Butterflies." Make sure not to read it if you're in a down mood because it's about the terrible dictatorship of Trujillo in the Dominican Republic where the author is from. On a lighter note, I also highly recommend "How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accent".
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