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Finding Our Way: Stories
A collection of stories about young Mexican Americans living through the hardships of being a teenager but never losing their way.
117 pages, Library Binding
First published March 11, 2003
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63 people want to read
About the author
René Saldaña Jr.
23 books19 followersRené Saldaña Jr. graduated from Georgia State University (Ph.D.) with degrees in English and creative writing. He and his family live in south Texas, where he teaches English and writing at the university level. He is the author of "The Jumping Tree "and "Finding Our Way."
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
July 18, 2011
As the collection picks up steam, there are some well written stories, but overall too few for me to recommend this book. While I liked the mix of Spanish and English (without the awkward translation--figure it out reader!); the strong narrative voice throughout; and the move towards more introspective, open-ended stories ("Manny Calls" and "The Dive" are the best), overall the collection strained credulity, while also curiously falling flat.
The biggest problem is not that the conflict in each story is unbelievable, but that the events around the conflict are not realistic. For example, in the first story, a smooth-talking politician employs the narrator to fix up his property, and, rather than paying, makes empty promises of party, court, and pool invitations. The politician gets his comeuppance, however, when he gets a flat tire and has to rely on the narrator for help. The setup is realistic and thought-provoking, and I kept thinking of certain people in my community who ask for similar favors. But...a flat tire that he can't fix? Really? He really can't pull off the lug nuts? Personally, that's never happened to me, and I don't consider myself exceptionally strong. Oh, and I've changed five flat tires over the course of my life (four in Louisiana--so I know all about changing the tire in the heat). But, for the sake of argument, let's assume that the lug nuts were really on there tight--could the man not have called roadside assistance? Did he not have a cell phone to call a friend? Did really no one else stop? Was he really that far away from civilization that he couldn't have walked somewhere? I'm not saying that some of these questions couldn't be answered as 'no's'...but all of them? And that problem comes up in story after story, in which the author takes the easy way out--highlighting the events around the conflict over realism. The two stories that come off the best--"Manny Calls" and "The Dive"--work best because the conflict remains internal, and there is not a phoniness in the climax.
As for falling flat, the problem with the stories overall is that the endings are a collection of minor epiphanies. Stripped of realism, however, the realizations don't really resonate. Beyond realism, a few other things would help--more description (in the last story, the setting is a ditch, and even that isn't described); and more believable secondary characters. While the internal voices of the narrators are strong, the minor characters' actions are inconsistent and their personalities undeveloped. In particular, the teacher characters are awful! (Maybe that's why I had such a negative reaction.) In several stories, there are one-dimensional teacher characters who serve to create the conflict--all are rage-filled, most are largely negative, and it quickly becomes depressing stuff. I'm not looking for Pollyanna, but from the number of yelling teachers one gets the impression that the author really despises educators. If doctors were substituted, we'd have a collection of malpractice stories. And, that's the problem--not all teachers are enraged jerks ready to explode at any moment; the author is working with a stereotype, hindering his attempt at realism.
There are some real strengths in the collection--in the interesting story set-ups, the emotions of the narrators, and the unique perspective the main characters bring. With a stronger focus on plot, description, and characterization overall, these stories would resonate much more.
The biggest problem is not that the conflict in each story is unbelievable, but that the events around the conflict are not realistic. For example, in the first story, a smooth-talking politician employs the narrator to fix up his property, and, rather than paying, makes empty promises of party, court, and pool invitations. The politician gets his comeuppance, however, when he gets a flat tire and has to rely on the narrator for help. The setup is realistic and thought-provoking, and I kept thinking of certain people in my community who ask for similar favors. But...a flat tire that he can't fix? Really? He really can't pull off the lug nuts? Personally, that's never happened to me, and I don't consider myself exceptionally strong. Oh, and I've changed five flat tires over the course of my life (four in Louisiana--so I know all about changing the tire in the heat). But, for the sake of argument, let's assume that the lug nuts were really on there tight--could the man not have called roadside assistance? Did he not have a cell phone to call a friend? Did really no one else stop? Was he really that far away from civilization that he couldn't have walked somewhere? I'm not saying that some of these questions couldn't be answered as 'no's'...but all of them? And that problem comes up in story after story, in which the author takes the easy way out--highlighting the events around the conflict over realism. The two stories that come off the best--"Manny Calls" and "The Dive"--work best because the conflict remains internal, and there is not a phoniness in the climax.
As for falling flat, the problem with the stories overall is that the endings are a collection of minor epiphanies. Stripped of realism, however, the realizations don't really resonate. Beyond realism, a few other things would help--more description (in the last story, the setting is a ditch, and even that isn't described); and more believable secondary characters. While the internal voices of the narrators are strong, the minor characters' actions are inconsistent and their personalities undeveloped. In particular, the teacher characters are awful! (Maybe that's why I had such a negative reaction.) In several stories, there are one-dimensional teacher characters who serve to create the conflict--all are rage-filled, most are largely negative, and it quickly becomes depressing stuff. I'm not looking for Pollyanna, but from the number of yelling teachers one gets the impression that the author really despises educators. If doctors were substituted, we'd have a collection of malpractice stories. And, that's the problem--not all teachers are enraged jerks ready to explode at any moment; the author is working with a stereotype, hindering his attempt at realism.
There are some real strengths in the collection--in the interesting story set-ups, the emotions of the narrators, and the unique perspective the main characters bring. With a stronger focus on plot, description, and characterization overall, these stories would resonate much more.
May 29, 2010
This book was a collection of short stories about high school students, mostly Mexican-American or Mexican high school students living in America. My favorite story was probably the first one, "The Good Samaritan," about a boy whose neighbor is always trying to get the neighborhood boys to help him around the house by promising them different things, like that he'll let them use his new tv or swim in his new pool, but never ends up letting the boys do anything of the sort. I also liked the story called "SylvieSylvieSylvie," which was about an insecure girl who two boys--one a violet, unstable nerdy kid and one a violet, unstable popular kid--fight over. The overriding theme of all the stories was high school kids figuring out who they are, encountering different situations where they ultimately either help people or don't help them. "Finding Our Way" was thus the perfect title for this collection as teenagers in each story found out more about who they are through the decisions they made that affected other people, for better or worse. Ultimately, I really enjoyed this collection and would recommend it to high school students, Mexican-American or otherwise, who wanted a good book about the consequences of their actions on themselves and on the people around them.
January 23, 2011
Finding Our Way by René Salandra Jr. was not entertaining, nor did I learn anything of value. I was never on the edge of my seat at any point. This book is a collection of short stories. I believed there is around 8 short stories.
There are different characters in each story, and they all have different conflicts to overcome. Even though the characters were all very different, I could not relate to any of them or their situations.
For example, one is about a girl who wants to jump off a bridge into a river, but her Grandmother doesn't want her to. I will not tell you if she ever jumps, I am just using this as an example of the types of conflicts you will find in this book.
I don't think that the author did a good job keeping the reader interested. I never felt like I wanted to know the outcome, I was just trying to fight through it. I would not recommend this book to anyone. The only possible reason why you should read this is if you had an assignment and need to finish a book quickly. This book is very short-around 130 pages. I wanted to like it but I just couldn't. This book was supposed to be aimed towards teenagers, but no teenager I know would have what it takes to make it through this book.
There are different characters in each story, and they all have different conflicts to overcome. Even though the characters were all very different, I could not relate to any of them or their situations.
For example, one is about a girl who wants to jump off a bridge into a river, but her Grandmother doesn't want her to. I will not tell you if she ever jumps, I am just using this as an example of the types of conflicts you will find in this book.
I don't think that the author did a good job keeping the reader interested. I never felt like I wanted to know the outcome, I was just trying to fight through it. I would not recommend this book to anyone. The only possible reason why you should read this is if you had an assignment and need to finish a book quickly. This book is very short-around 130 pages. I wanted to like it but I just couldn't. This book was supposed to be aimed towards teenagers, but no teenager I know would have what it takes to make it through this book.
December 10, 2009
Genre/Category: Multicultural/ Bildungsroman
A collection of short stories about Hispanic adolescents, Saldana’s Finding Our Way is an eye-opening reading experience that will leave you heartbroken, smiling, or wondering with each story. Although there is no logical sequence in the stories, nor any apparent connection between any of them, all of the stories center on themes of friendship, coming of age, and life as experienced by Hispanic Americans. It is a quick, entertaining read, but I found it difficult to get into because there is no real cohesiveness in the novel. Saldana is a wonderful writer and I found his imagery and poignant details fascinating. I would recommend this novel to anyone interested in multiculturalism and coming of age stories. I would also add that this novel should be read by older adolescents, as several of the stories contain scenes and images that may be inappropriate for younger readers.
A collection of short stories about Hispanic adolescents, Saldana’s Finding Our Way is an eye-opening reading experience that will leave you heartbroken, smiling, or wondering with each story. Although there is no logical sequence in the stories, nor any apparent connection between any of them, all of the stories center on themes of friendship, coming of age, and life as experienced by Hispanic Americans. It is a quick, entertaining read, but I found it difficult to get into because there is no real cohesiveness in the novel. Saldana is a wonderful writer and I found his imagery and poignant details fascinating. I would recommend this novel to anyone interested in multiculturalism and coming of age stories. I would also add that this novel should be read by older adolescents, as several of the stories contain scenes and images that may be inappropriate for younger readers.
September 26, 2011
This was a hard book to rate, considering it's made up of a bunch of short stories--some of which I loved, and some of which I didn't like as much.
The stories that I loved made me feel a lot of emotion, more than I usually feel when reading only a short story. After reading some of them, I just had to stop to reflect for a little bit. The characters were really real and vivid, and I felt like I understood some of the teenagers' irrational actions. I also really liked the mix of English and Spanish. I have read very little Latin American fiction.
I thought the collection was appropriately titled, since each character is in the process of trying to grow up and figure out who they are. I would classify this collection as realistic fiction/short stories. I think that some teenagers would identify with the characters, but I'm not sure how many teenagers would find the book interesting as a whole.
The stories that I loved made me feel a lot of emotion, more than I usually feel when reading only a short story. After reading some of them, I just had to stop to reflect for a little bit. The characters were really real and vivid, and I felt like I understood some of the teenagers' irrational actions. I also really liked the mix of English and Spanish. I have read very little Latin American fiction.
I thought the collection was appropriately titled, since each character is in the process of trying to grow up and figure out who they are. I would classify this collection as realistic fiction/short stories. I think that some teenagers would identify with the characters, but I'm not sure how many teenagers would find the book interesting as a whole.
February 8, 2010
I just put down the book for the second time in my life and I'm happy to say that my thoughts on it have changed for the better. Being YA lit, something I hardly touch, this book shows that there are two versions of the Valley: The one in which we live in and the one we remember living in. René Saldaña, Jr. ventures into both. Leaving us nostalgic for our lost innocence, but appreciating the course of events that brought us here.
It's a joy to read for both adults and teens alike. Each powerful story reminds us that if we should trip and fall in our journey into adulthood, the world does allow second chances. All we have to is pick ourselves up, dust off our clothes and never lose our way.
It's a joy to read for both adults and teens alike. Each powerful story reminds us that if we should trip and fall in our journey into adulthood, the world does allow second chances. All we have to is pick ourselves up, dust off our clothes and never lose our way.
August 10, 2009
This is a pretty good book of short stories: the characters are relatable, and the stories are interesting.
I just wish that they were a little longer, so it didn't feel like they just ended. Also, I wish there was higher writing. It's a really easy book to read with a big font and not a lot of pages.
7/30
Although the book is short, and the font is big, it's not exactly an easy read. Like... the content is probably at a 8th grade level, and the word choice is probably at a 5th grade reading level.
But... it's hard to explain. It's not some lighthearted book. It has meaning and at the end of a story I find myself thinking about the characters and the story after. I think the stories get better as you get farther in.
I just wish that they were a little longer, so it didn't feel like they just ended. Also, I wish there was higher writing. It's a really easy book to read with a big font and not a lot of pages.
7/30
Although the book is short, and the font is big, it's not exactly an easy read. Like... the content is probably at a 8th grade level, and the word choice is probably at a 5th grade reading level.
But... it's hard to explain. It's not some lighthearted book. It has meaning and at the end of a story I find myself thinking about the characters and the story after. I think the stories get better as you get farther in.
December 10, 2009
Genre/Category: Rene Saldana Jr./Short stories
This book is a collection of short stories dealing with every-day teens issues. None of the stories connect, but I was surprised by the similar theme of forgiveness and hope found in a lot of the stories. Saldana brings up issues of betrayal, trust, finding one's voice, and many more pertinent teen issues. Each story is written from the eyes of a teenage boy with Spanish influences and culture. I think this collection of short stories would be a good book for reluctant teenage boy readers who could read from the eyes of other boys their age without having to read anything too long. Saldana seems to know how teens feel and what they often go through at home and at school, and brings up these issues throughout his works.
This book is a collection of short stories dealing with every-day teens issues. None of the stories connect, but I was surprised by the similar theme of forgiveness and hope found in a lot of the stories. Saldana brings up issues of betrayal, trust, finding one's voice, and many more pertinent teen issues. Each story is written from the eyes of a teenage boy with Spanish influences and culture. I think this collection of short stories would be a good book for reluctant teenage boy readers who could read from the eyes of other boys their age without having to read anything too long. Saldana seems to know how teens feel and what they often go through at home and at school, and brings up these issues throughout his works.
October 18, 2011
Finding Our Way was not very good. It could have something to do with the fact that I don't really love short stories, but I don't think so. I can appreciate a good short story when I come across it.
Some of the stories were ok, but I didn't really enjoy any of them. I can't say that I learned much about the Latino experience or that any of them were beautifully written. Some of them you're not even sure what happened. You finish and you're like, what? If it ended and I was haunted or shocked or sad, then maybe I would have seem a message or cared, but I wasn't.
I did like the mix of English and Spanish, that was one thing that I thought was powerful and enjoyable.
Some of the stories were ok, but I didn't really enjoy any of them. I can't say that I learned much about the Latino experience or that any of them were beautifully written. Some of them you're not even sure what happened. You finish and you're like, what? If it ended and I was haunted or shocked or sad, then maybe I would have seem a message or cared, but I wasn't.
I did like the mix of English and Spanish, that was one thing that I thought was powerful and enjoyable.
October 4, 2011
I enjoyed this book. I loved the thrown in tidbits Spanish, it made the story more real if that makes sense. Real in the essence that these stories were being told by los pueblos de América. The stories were interesting as well. They highlighted people who were trying to decide who they are and not in a existentialist way. They were in situations where they could make a a wrong choice, a good choice or a better choice. I think it takes a special talent to write good short stories, fitting in enough so the reader is invested in the characters and not making it just information based (like too much back story). I think Saldana did an excellent job on these short stories.
November 24, 2009
Genre: YA, Short Stories, Bilingual
This is a wonderful collection of short stories that deal with growing up and dealing with life. They contain stories from a wide variety of perspectives, from a girl seeking counsel from her grandmother over coffee, to a kid writing a paper in a juvenile detention center, these stories felt real to me and offered me a window into another life as well as seeing some elements of my own. Many of the stories deal with immigrants from Central or South America or those that are from bilingual families or live near the border.
This is a wonderful collection of short stories that deal with growing up and dealing with life. They contain stories from a wide variety of perspectives, from a girl seeking counsel from her grandmother over coffee, to a kid writing a paper in a juvenile detention center, these stories felt real to me and offered me a window into another life as well as seeing some elements of my own. Many of the stories deal with immigrants from Central or South America or those that are from bilingual families or live near the border.
June 7, 2013
mostly English, some Spanish phrases. Short stories, set in Mission, TX. Written by professor at Texas Tech.
But the dude never answers our questions about what drugs he did, or does, or does he drink, and party? Did he ever get into fights? What gang does he belong to, or belonged to back in teh day? He just says, "None of that's important. You're asking the wrong questions. You're trying to look at the wrong person. You should be asking, Where did you study? How'd you get out? Why are you back? Who are you right now?" -- pg 50, short story "Alternative"
But the dude never answers our questions about what drugs he did, or does, or does he drink, and party? Did he ever get into fights? What gang does he belong to, or belonged to back in teh day? He just says, "None of that's important. You're asking the wrong questions. You're trying to look at the wrong person. You should be asking, Where did you study? How'd you get out? Why are you back? Who are you right now?" -- pg 50, short story "Alternative"
December 10, 2009
Category: Saldana, Minorities, immigration, drama, **
This book is a collection of short stories about Hispanics living in America. Some of the stories were interesting, but a lot of them seemed quite generic and plot-less. Most of the stories did not catch me emotionally and they didn't seem unique to Hispanics. The book was so so and not really very intriguing. I'm sure this book would appeal to Hispanic teens, because they are stories they may identify with.
This book is a collection of short stories about Hispanics living in America. Some of the stories were interesting, but a lot of them seemed quite generic and plot-less. Most of the stories did not catch me emotionally and they didn't seem unique to Hispanics. The book was so so and not really very intriguing. I'm sure this book would appeal to Hispanic teens, because they are stories they may identify with.
October 31, 2012
this book by rene saldana is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! this book is about teenagets who are coping with life. they tend to make wrong decisions at this age. for example this character kiko he"s in a gang trying to fight trying to make the school miserable for other kids. this book teaches an important lesson of life. it kind of has teached me a lesson in lifr to just being yourself no a cool dude or somthing
March 24, 2014
This was really a mixed bag though they were all sort of coming-of-age stories. Some of them were just okay and some of them drew me in deeper. They weren't all happy endings and some were even the opposite.
I liked that he used Spanish and didn't try to embed the definition in the next sentence. It felt natural like the way friends spoke in San Antonio when we lived there. There were a few words I had to look up, but most of the time I understood.
I liked that he used Spanish and didn't try to embed the definition in the next sentence. It felt natural like the way friends spoke in San Antonio when we lived there. There were a few words I had to look up, but most of the time I understood.
February 7, 2008
These short, bittersweet stories pack a punch. They are glimpses into the lives of poor Hispanic students, and most of them refuse to end happily. Instead, they demonstrate the various choices that can be made in desperate situations, and the results of those choices. Several of the characters feel remorse and desperation, and those emotions transfer seamlessly and powerfully from the page.
October 7, 2009
A combination of short stories, Saldana writes an interesting book of what it means to be an Hispanic young adult, growing up in America. They were applicable to all kids of all nationalities. I didn't like a lot of them and his writing style was bland. However I do feel that he did an excellent job of getting the point across.
June 4, 2013
RENE SALDANA JR
In this collection of coming-of-age stories, Saldana does a great job of telling not just the story of youth but the story of culture. He weaves a beautiful work that intertwines Spanish with English, happy with sad, and various voices that work together to express what it's like to grow up as a bi-cultural American. His stories leave you feeling satisfied and wanting more.
In this collection of coming-of-age stories, Saldana does a great job of telling not just the story of youth but the story of culture. He weaves a beautiful work that intertwines Spanish with English, happy with sad, and various voices that work together to express what it's like to grow up as a bi-cultural American. His stories leave you feeling satisfied and wanting more.
July 28, 2008
This is my second Saldana book. I think that I prefer this MUCH more to The Jumping Tree...but I think that Saldana is best in isolation: I only want to read one story...then stop. I don't really like reading a whole book of his.
April 11, 2011
this book started being good but then then it was boring...i'm still reading it but i think i'm going to abandon it..this are the kinds of books i like but this one is a little boring..so i don't think i want to recommend it to somebody.
July 16, 2008
A short but surprisingly solid anthology of Valley-related short stories. I may work a few of these into the 9th grade lit class I'll be teaching in the fall.
October 23, 2009
I should read this book again. I was young when I first read it. Maybe then I'll develop a different viewpoint since I'm older now..
January 7, 2011
this book started good and now it is just boring, so i just abandoned it. I will tell the readers to not read it.
May 5, 2012
Collections of Mexican Teen chapter/Short stories
October 5, 2013
I have one word to say. No.
December 28, 2013
Quick short stories about Latino youth in the southwest. An eclectic cast of characters finding their way-- making sense if their world.
December 16, 2014
it was a pretty good book
October 22, 2010
i really liked this book
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews