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No English
“No English” is all that Blanca, the new girl from Argentina, says. She spends her time drawing pictures instead of doing class work and that hardly seems fair to second-grader Diane. One misunderstanding follows another until Diane begins to see how afraid Blanca must feel in their classroom. Their teacher, Mrs. Bertram, helps her class understand that “different” is just different, not strange or weird. She encourages them to learn about Blanca’s home country. Diane must make things right, but how will she do that when they don’t speak the same language?
32 pages, Hardcover
First published July 5, 2007
2 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
About the author
Jacqueline Jules
80 books91 followersI am a children's author, teacher, librarian, and poet. My books include the Zapato Power series, the Sofia Martinez series, Pluto is Peeved, Unite or Die: How Thirteen States Became a Nation, Duck for Turkey Day, Never Say a Mean Word Again, and Feathers for Peacock. Please visit me at http://www.jacquelinejules.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
September 26, 2018
“No English” is a truly unique book to read. The story’s plot takes place in an elementary school in the United States where the character Blanca who is a new student from Argentina, is experiencing school in a whole different country, with a new language, and new people for the first time. The main character’s most said line is “No English” as the title itself suggests because she only speaks Spanish. Throughout the story, she draws pictures during class time to communicate with her now new friend, demonstrating that the meaning of friendship can cross any language barrier.
The story in this book for sure seems to be able to capture the attention of children. It can be presented to students in the early years in elementary school as they can be able to understand what is going on. This is because the words connect to the illustrations. The story’s plot includes a plot that is strong because of the story line, its characters, and setting. The main character can seem to be real because many people can identify themselves with the immigration experience as well in a school setting. Throughout the story, the reader can ask him or herself if the main character has English help at home or not, amongst other questions as well. The pictures in the story book tie with the words and plot in the correct way. The pictures truly are nicely represented to keep the reader’s interest high. They present students in a classroom, the teacher, and the outside play area at school. Without the pictures in the story, the story wouldn’t be the same. The characters in the book demonstrate several cultural groups, personal backgrounds, and rightfully show their cultures. In general, the text and illustrations strongly enhance an engaging story for the reader. The author's message is clear to understand: putting yourself in an immigrant's perspective.
Overall I believe this is a great book to read to children so they can learn about how a new student feels in the classroom, but more so how he/she feels when do not know the english language. They have experience coming to a new country, language, cultures, and people.
The story in this book for sure seems to be able to capture the attention of children. It can be presented to students in the early years in elementary school as they can be able to understand what is going on. This is because the words connect to the illustrations. The story’s plot includes a plot that is strong because of the story line, its characters, and setting. The main character can seem to be real because many people can identify themselves with the immigration experience as well in a school setting. Throughout the story, the reader can ask him or herself if the main character has English help at home or not, amongst other questions as well. The pictures in the story book tie with the words and plot in the correct way. The pictures truly are nicely represented to keep the reader’s interest high. They present students in a classroom, the teacher, and the outside play area at school. Without the pictures in the story, the story wouldn’t be the same. The characters in the book demonstrate several cultural groups, personal backgrounds, and rightfully show their cultures. In general, the text and illustrations strongly enhance an engaging story for the reader. The author's message is clear to understand: putting yourself in an immigrant's perspective.
Overall I believe this is a great book to read to children so they can learn about how a new student feels in the classroom, but more so how he/she feels when do not know the english language. They have experience coming to a new country, language, cultures, and people.
November 27, 2008
This book is a great read for classrooms with ELL students. It tells the story of a bond of friendship that developed between an American girl and a Hispanic girl. The American girl helps to familiarize the Hispanic girl with school here in America. She helps the Hispanic girl to learn English and meet many new friends. This book is great, because both girls learn many things through each others experiences.
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January 18, 2016Summary/Review: Blanca doesn 19t speak English aside from 1CNo English. 1D Diane doesn 19t think it 19s fair that Blanca doesn 19t have to do the same work in class. Diane feels bad about upsetting Blanca and tries to communicate with her. The pictures give a clear idea of how the characters are feeling. They have a sense of a life like quality without going overboard. Uses in classroom: 1. Teach that communication can be accomplished through other means. 2. People with differences can still get along and have similarities. Paired Books: La Mariposa Quote: She doesn 19t shake her head and say, 1CNo English, 1D anymore. But she does still count in Spanish, 1Cuno, dos, tres 26 1D We count along with her.
October 22, 2013
No English is a story about a new student, Blanca, who does not speak English. It is told from the perspective of a Diane, who is trying to make up for telling on Blanca but does not know how to communicate with her. Friendship is the main idea of the story. I would use this text to model how to welcome in a new student like Blanca. There are examples within the text on how to welcome a new student like Blanca. Speaking their language, the students said “Hola” to Blanca or researching their country, the class researched Argentina on the internet to learn facts. I would also use this text to demonstrate that language is not the only way to communicate, using how Diane and Blanca were able to communicate through their drawings. The illustrations by Amy Huntington are realistic and depict a diversity within the classroom. Jacqueline Jules, the author, does a good job making this story relatable to children, such as the giggling in class or being out at recess.
February 27, 2012
The story is about a girl from Argentina, named Blanca, who moved to America and started school. Blanca does not know how to speak English and struggles to communicate with her classmates. One of Blanca’s classmates, named Diane, has trouble understanding why Blanca can draw during class and she could not. Eventually, Diane begins to realize how lost Blanca must be feeling in the classroom. With the help of a Spanish/English dictionary and a few crayons, however, Blanca and Diane overcame the language barrier and become friends.
This book would be great to teach students from K-5 about how to overcome obstacles. It teaches students how one would feel if they came from a different country having to learn a new language and customs. This book also teaches children that friendship can be a major help, and how one person can change the life of another with simply lending a hand.
This book would be great to teach students from K-5 about how to overcome obstacles. It teaches students how one would feel if they came from a different country having to learn a new language and customs. This book also teaches children that friendship can be a major help, and how one person can change the life of another with simply lending a hand.
December 8, 2013
No English is a beautiful story of a young girl named Blanca from Argentina that is a new student in an English speaking classroom. Because she is not fluent in English she spends most of her time drawing; this is when one of her classmates, Diane, realizes that she needs to be included more. The teacher then encourages the class to learn about Blanca's culture and where she comes from.
This book would be very useful in a diverse and not-diverse classroom. In a culturally diverse classroom, students would get a feeling of comfort and sense of belonging. In a class that is not so culturally diverse, it will give students a better understanding that there are other cultures and different ways of living.
This book would be very useful in a diverse and not-diverse classroom. In a culturally diverse classroom, students would get a feeling of comfort and sense of belonging. In a class that is not so culturally diverse, it will give students a better understanding that there are other cultures and different ways of living.
September 18, 2012
Interesting book for all, students and teachers. This book would help everyone in the classroom identify that when going to another country without speaking the language can be very intimidating.Yet, students can learn that just because they can not speak the language does not mean that there is no means to communicate. In the story, two little girls communicate with pictures. This by all means pushes the creativity in students who do not speak or write English in the classroom. Students, whether ELLs or students who haven't achieved writing skills can tell a story so many other ways. There is nothing worse than not trying.
December 5, 2014
No English by Jacqueline Jules is about a girl named Blanca who beings attending an English school but only speaks Spanish. Blanca does not speak to the other students but only draws. Another student, Diane, decides to try to communicate with her. This teaches compassion to students that read the book and how they can be sensitive to students with different cultural backgrounds.
The illustrations are done with painting and are cartoon-like.They take up the full spreads and the backgrounds show what Blanca is drawing. Each illustration is different and very detailed. The book overall is really good.
The illustrations are done with painting and are cartoon-like.They take up the full spreads and the backgrounds show what Blanca is drawing. Each illustration is different and very detailed. The book overall is really good.
March 2, 2012
No English by Jacqueline Jules is about a girl named Blance who recently came to America and she begins school. She encounters many troubles when people can not understand her. THis one girl eventually starts to be emphatic towards Blance and they become great friends. This book would be wonderful to use on the first day of school with children in grades first through fifth! It shows people that it's okay to be different and just because someone is different from you does not mean you can't find commonalities or be their friend.
September 15, 2012
This book is about a young girl named Blanca who moves to America from Argentina speaking no English. Due to the language barrier in class, she often draws out of boredom. A classmate, Diana, is impressed by Blanca's drawings and the two begin a friendship. I love how this book shows the non-verbal communication possible among two classmates who speak different languages and the benefits that can be formed through diverse friendships. This book is a must-have for an ESOL teacher or in a classroom library with English Language Learners!
September 14, 2013
Author Jacqueline Jules wrote this wonderful book based on the experiences of her own students. We chose this book as part of our Mosaic school-wide reading project this year that uses globally diverse literature. Our school hosts more than 100 international students each year who visit the United States while their parents are studying at the National Defense University. This book provides a true reflection of these new students experiences, as well as an honest account of how some of other students feel.
November 5, 2018
A story about two girls, Blanca and Diane who, at first struggle to become friends, but once they find common ground, they become close. There is a part in the beginning when the teacher asks the class to think about how Blanca feels. She's just moved to America, doesn't know the language, is in a new school, has a new teacher, and hasn't made any friends. In that moment the students search for ways to connect with their new classmate. This is a wonderful story that would teach empathy. It will allow students who have not experienced a situation like Blanca's to put themselves in her shoes.
April 25, 2008
Familiar schoolyard dynamics, effective body language and detailed personal narrative relay a story of friendship fumbled and then found, reminding us that despite any biological logic behind our urge to jump to the least desirable conclusion, we're usually happiest when we don't.
You can listen in on our chat about this book on our Just One More Book! Children's Book Podcast.
You can listen in on our chat about this book on our Just One More Book! Children's Book Podcast.
September 18, 2018
I loved this book for my daughter, to help her imagine what it would be like to not know any english in a classroom where that's all everyone else speaks. She loved the book. I felt it was useful to us, because she has mentioned on a number of occasions how she didn't want to play with a potential new friend because "they speak a different language". I did think the school policies in this story were a little bit harsh, but the lesson was well taken.
June 27, 2008
This is a truly wonderful book - beautifully illustrated and written from the heart. It takes a simple event, the arrival of a student who doesn't speak English, and makes it into a tension-filled event. Using the point of view of someone who is doesn't like the new girl, and watching as she changes, is nothing real, moving and nothing short of brilliant.
January 30, 2009
This is the perfect book for any classroom welcoming a new ESOL student.
Blanca speaks only Spanish, and English-speaking Diane struggles to communicate with her. There are misinterpretations that lead to hurt feelings, but eventually a bilingual book (and drawing pictures!!)brings them together as friends.
Blanca speaks only Spanish, and English-speaking Diane struggles to communicate with her. There are misinterpretations that lead to hurt feelings, but eventually a bilingual book (and drawing pictures!!)brings them together as friends.
September 19, 2010
Blanca, a second-grader, moves to the United States from Argentina speaking only Spanish. Her new class is prompted by the teacher to develop compassion for her situation and they are also encouraged to learn about Blanca's home country. Through drawings, jump rope, and a bilingual library book, Diane reaches out to Blanca to make friends.
April 20, 2011
This is the perfect book for any classroom welcoming a new ESOL student.
Blanca speaks only Spanish, and English-speaking Diane struggles to communicate with her. when they dont understand each other it leads to hurt feelings, but eventually a bilingual book (and drawing pictures!!)brings them together as friends. great books for new friends!
Blanca speaks only Spanish, and English-speaking Diane struggles to communicate with her. when they dont understand each other it leads to hurt feelings, but eventually a bilingual book (and drawing pictures!!)brings them together as friends. great books for new friends!
September 16, 2012
This is the perfect book for any classroom welcoming a new ESOL student. This is a story about Blanca who is a new student in an American school and does not speak any English. Blanca speaks only Spanish, and English-speaking Diane struggles to communicate with her. Blanca communicates by drawing pictures! Really great story!
April 3, 2011
This book is great to read to a new student who is ESOL. I think the title is a great description for the story inside. It's a story about friendship and understanding. I read this to my kindergarteners and they were talking about the book for the rest of the day!!
Want to read
July 22, 2016A new girl from Argentina enters the school and is considered “different.” The teacher tries to teach the students to learn more about the girl’s home country. Soon the new girl makes a special bond with a girl in the classroom that seemed unthinkable.
February 28, 2012
The book No English by Jacqueline Jules serves as a great book for classrooms with new ESOL students. The book addresses anxiety which many new students face. The book also shows the importance of friendship. This book can be used in Kindergarten- 5 grade classrooms.
April 5, 2012
The book No English by Jacqueline Jules is about a girl names Blanca who comes from Argentina. She faces hardships that many new students face, especially from a new country. This would be a great book for classrooms with ESOL students!
April 9, 2012
Beautiful book which is a wonderful point of view of a student who is curious about a new classmate who doesn't know how to speak English and just moved from Argentina. Love that the library is part of the story as well!
April 16, 2012
Great book about a girl that comes from Argentina not speaking any English. She makes an unlikely friendship with a girl that misunderstands her. Together they learn that being different does not mean being weird. This is a great book to use in an ESL classroom. It teaches acceptance.
July 3, 2012
Loved this book! Wonderful book for teachers to read with class of ESL and mainstream students in order for them to understand each other and that there will be misunderstandings and miscommunications as they learn about each other and how to communicate and be friends.
October 20, 2018
This is a terrific book to have children read. Many children don’t understand diversity and are often thrown off about it. This book shows how scared people are that come from different countries and that is a very Important lesson to learn as a child.
August 12, 2013
A really nice story about how a little girl tries to make the new girl, who doesn't speak English, feel welcome.
November 23, 2016
A Spanish-speaking girl from Argentine begins in a class in the US. She can't say anything but "No English". Her classmates have difficulty communicating with her and that causes some misunderstandings.
A classmates discovers that they can communicate through pictures.
A classmates discovers that they can communicate through pictures.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews