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My Name Is María Isabel
For María Isabel Salazar López, the hardest thing about being the new girl in school is that the teacher doesn't call her by her real name. "We already have two Marías in this class," says her teacher. "Why don't we call you Mary instead?"
But María Isabel has been named for her Papi's mother and for Chabela, her beloved Puerto Rican grandmother. Can she find a way to make her teacher see that if she loses her name, she's lost the most important part of herself?
But María Isabel has been named for her Papi's mother and for Chabela, her beloved Puerto Rican grandmother. Can she find a way to make her teacher see that if she loses her name, she's lost the most important part of herself?
64 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
94 people are currently reading
902 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 152 reviews
September 23, 2012
I personally wanted more, more depth and more length, and in a way that lets me know this is a perfect book for its intended audience. I’d have found it perfect in those ways when I was 7-9 years old, perhaps even 6-11 years old. 10 titled chapters and 57 pages make for an excellent beginning independent readers’ book. It would also make a fine read aloud book.
This short novel has a lovely story.
I appreciated how so many issues and subjects are addressed, either directly or indirectly: the importance of identity, of heritage, of family life, friendships, moving, being in a new school, how children often don’t confide in adults/others, the power of writing, and of reading. I was a bit taken aback at having a Christmas, vs. holiday pageant in what seems to be a public school, but then I loved how Hanukkah was incorporated, as were various ways of celebrating Christmas/the holidays.
I also recommend this book to teachers, and I’m glad the teacher in this book learned something and made the appropriate changes when Maria Isabel finally expressed herself, in this case via essay writing.
When I was in third grade there were three boys with the same first name, and two of them had the same last name. Their call by names were changed to avoid confusion, but at least all three had full say in the process and in what names they were called. I also was once in a class that had two other girls with my name, yet there I think no changes were made and somehow there was no confusion, if I’m remembering correctly. So, when I saw how a focal point of this story was a girl named Maria coming into a classroom where she was the third Maria, I was particularly interested. The way the story unfolds, it really shows the importance of names. I think both children and adults will identify, and teachers in particular should take its message to heart.
ETA: I love how the title character compares her problems to Wilbur's, the Wilbur from the book Charlotte's Web.
This short novel has a lovely story.
I appreciated how so many issues and subjects are addressed, either directly or indirectly: the importance of identity, of heritage, of family life, friendships, moving, being in a new school, how children often don’t confide in adults/others, the power of writing, and of reading. I was a bit taken aback at having a Christmas, vs. holiday pageant in what seems to be a public school, but then I loved how Hanukkah was incorporated, as were various ways of celebrating Christmas/the holidays.
I also recommend this book to teachers, and I’m glad the teacher in this book learned something and made the appropriate changes when Maria Isabel finally expressed herself, in this case via essay writing.
When I was in third grade there were three boys with the same first name, and two of them had the same last name. Their call by names were changed to avoid confusion, but at least all three had full say in the process and in what names they were called. I also was once in a class that had two other girls with my name, yet there I think no changes were made and somehow there was no confusion, if I’m remembering correctly. So, when I saw how a focal point of this story was a girl named Maria coming into a classroom where she was the third Maria, I was particularly interested. The way the story unfolds, it really shows the importance of names. I think both children and adults will identify, and teachers in particular should take its message to heart.
ETA: I love how the title character compares her problems to Wilbur's, the Wilbur from the book Charlotte's Web.
November 10, 2008
I think all teachers should be required to read this book! A young immigrant from Puerto Rico named Maria Isabel is renamed by her teacher because there are already two Marias in her class. This makes Maria Isabel feel like she's lost her sense of self, of who she is, and affects her performance in school. Eventually Maria Isabel finds a way to let her teacher know that she doesn't like it, and all turns out well.
It was a touching story with a sweet ending, another gem from Alma Flor Ada.
It was a touching story with a sweet ending, another gem from Alma Flor Ada.
August 3, 2020
A little short, a little simplistic. Interesting that the teacher wasn't culturally insensitive per se, but just forgot the importance of individual's names. The main theme of the story, iow, could have taken place in an all-white school with the new student being the 4th Joshua. But the Puerto Rican details were interesting & enriching. And the author is a poet, so the writing is lucid with lovely details. Highly recommended to children from kindergarten to 4th grade.
September 29, 2009
My name is Maria Isabel is written by Alma Flor Ada and illustrated by K. Dyble Thompson. It was published by Aladdin Paperbacks in 1993.
This wonderful book is about a young girl named Maria Isobel who school in a new town. She is worried because she is starting late in the year and doesn't want to be the odd one out. Although Maria is a mixture of excited and nervous, she ends up leaving school feeling very frustrated. Her new teacher has decided to call her Mary instead of her name, Maria. Throughout the book Maria struggles with being able to adjust to her new school (and new name). She wants to play a role in the school play but the teacher does not relate to Maria because she is always zoning out in class. Maria wishes the teacher could just understnad that the reason she is always "zoning" is because she can't get used to responding to a new name. She is very proud of her name and does not identify with the person her teacher expects her to be. The problem is resolved at the end of the story as Maria finally finds her voice and expresses to the teacher her unhappiness.
As a teacher of ELL students, I was particularly enthralled by this book. I found that it was very culturally relevant to many of my students and it made me think about how much I really should try to focus on stocking my shelves with more multicultural books. I felt ashamed as I read some of the things that Maria thought because I relized I had probably acted like the teacher at times. She was not trying to be mean, but did not understand that it could something as simple as not pronouncing the child's name correctly that makes the student shut down. It can be frustrating as a teacher to encounter ELL students who "zone" when you know they are more capable, but this definitely gave me a new perspective. I feel like, if I could relate so easily to this book, than my students could probably relate even more.
This book is recommended for ages 7-10 and I found that it would probably be best used in a second/third grade classroom for students of varying cultural backgrounds.
This wonderful book is about a young girl named Maria Isobel who school in a new town. She is worried because she is starting late in the year and doesn't want to be the odd one out. Although Maria is a mixture of excited and nervous, she ends up leaving school feeling very frustrated. Her new teacher has decided to call her Mary instead of her name, Maria. Throughout the book Maria struggles with being able to adjust to her new school (and new name). She wants to play a role in the school play but the teacher does not relate to Maria because she is always zoning out in class. Maria wishes the teacher could just understnad that the reason she is always "zoning" is because she can't get used to responding to a new name. She is very proud of her name and does not identify with the person her teacher expects her to be. The problem is resolved at the end of the story as Maria finally finds her voice and expresses to the teacher her unhappiness.
As a teacher of ELL students, I was particularly enthralled by this book. I found that it was very culturally relevant to many of my students and it made me think about how much I really should try to focus on stocking my shelves with more multicultural books. I felt ashamed as I read some of the things that Maria thought because I relized I had probably acted like the teacher at times. She was not trying to be mean, but did not understand that it could something as simple as not pronouncing the child's name correctly that makes the student shut down. It can be frustrating as a teacher to encounter ELL students who "zone" when you know they are more capable, but this definitely gave me a new perspective. I feel like, if I could relate so easily to this book, than my students could probably relate even more.
This book is recommended for ages 7-10 and I found that it would probably be best used in a second/third grade classroom for students of varying cultural backgrounds.
January 29, 2010
I gave this book a 3 star rating. It is intended for children ages 7-10. The story is narrated in third person. Maria Isabel is the new kid at school and there are already two Maria’s, so the teacher decides to call her Mary Lopez. The only problem with this is that every time the teacher calls out “Mary Lopez!” Maria does not respond. This inevitably leads Maria to believe that the teacher is always angry at her and Maria Isabel’s exclusion from the winter pageant. At the end of the book, Maria Isabel writes an essay entitled, “My Greatest Wish.” She has an internal struggle about what to write. And she ultimately decides that above all, she would like to be called by her true name and sing in the pageant.
The plot of this chapter book is very simplistic. This may be deliberate because it is intended for readers in second through fifth grade. My Name is Maria Isabel would be useful in teaching literary elements including plot, setting, theme, point of view, and characterization, especially as an introduction to these terms and concepts. This chapter book is about the importance of identity and this theme is established through the use of culturally accurate versus inaccurate names. However, if you changed the name Maria Isabel to a name from any other culture, I feel that the book would retain most of its meaning. In my opinion, this book is mostly culturally generic. And yet, I guess that gives the book a bit of wide range appeal among various cultures.
I gave this book 3 stars because, for me, it was too straightforward. Also, the repeated use of the name Maria Isabel irritated me because it was as if the author thought kids would not be receptive enough to understand the book’s message without heavy handed reminders.
The plot of this chapter book is very simplistic. This may be deliberate because it is intended for readers in second through fifth grade. My Name is Maria Isabel would be useful in teaching literary elements including plot, setting, theme, point of view, and characterization, especially as an introduction to these terms and concepts. This chapter book is about the importance of identity and this theme is established through the use of culturally accurate versus inaccurate names. However, if you changed the name Maria Isabel to a name from any other culture, I feel that the book would retain most of its meaning. In my opinion, this book is mostly culturally generic. And yet, I guess that gives the book a bit of wide range appeal among various cultures.
I gave this book 3 stars because, for me, it was too straightforward. Also, the repeated use of the name Maria Isabel irritated me because it was as if the author thought kids would not be receptive enough to understand the book’s message without heavy handed reminders.
July 26, 2009
Maria Isabel Salazar Lopez hates
having to start over at a new school.
But worst of all, there are already
two other Marias in her class and
her new teacher decides to call her
Mary Lopez!
Maria Isabel never hears her teacher
when she is addressed as Mary Lopez
and she ends up being skipped for the
class play.
I know exactly how Maria Isabel feels.
I was always Debbie A. or Deborah in
a class with scores of other Debbies.
I just wanted to be called by my name,
too, just like Maria Isabel. I loved
this book and can't wait to share it
with kids in my school.
Favorite Quote: "Ah, Maria Lopez," the teacher said as
she read the card. "We already have two
Marias in this class. Why don't we call
you Mary instead? Take a seat over there
by Marta Perez and I'll give you your
books later."
having to start over at a new school.
But worst of all, there are already
two other Marias in her class and
her new teacher decides to call her
Mary Lopez!
Maria Isabel never hears her teacher
when she is addressed as Mary Lopez
and she ends up being skipped for the
class play.
I know exactly how Maria Isabel feels.
I was always Debbie A. or Deborah in
a class with scores of other Debbies.
I just wanted to be called by my name,
too, just like Maria Isabel. I loved
this book and can't wait to share it
with kids in my school.
Favorite Quote: "Ah, Maria Lopez," the teacher said as
she read the card. "We already have two
Marias in this class. Why don't we call
you Mary instead? Take a seat over there
by Marta Perez and I'll give you your
books later."
May 17, 2012
Summary: Third grader Maria Isabel, born in Puerto Rico and now living in the U.S., wants badly to fit in at school; and the teacher's writing assignment "My Greatest Wish" gives her that opportunity.
57 pages
Would be a nice read aloud for a classroom - multiculturalism, the importance of one's name and family
Small chapter book appropriate for 3rd grade level.
I liked how it was about a Hispanic character. I am looking for more books with that aspect in them.
Maria Isabel biggest conflict is that her teacher choses to call her Mary Lopez because there is already another Maria in the class. Maria Isabel takes pride in her name and all relatives whom she is named after. She gets in trouble with the teacher because she doesn't answer to her name "Mary Lopez". Maria Isabel isn't being disrespectful she just doesn't think of that as her name and doesn't make the connection that the teacher is calling on her. This confusion causes Maria Isabel to miss out on the opportunity to sing in the school pageant. Instead she is given an unimportant job and misses out on the singing.
Maria Isabel is reading Charlotte's Web at the time and makes personal connections to the story.
In the end, Maria writes a "Greatest Wish" essay and states how she wants to be called by her real name and sing in the pageant. The teacher reads it and puts her in the pageant with a singing role.
57 pages
Would be a nice read aloud for a classroom - multiculturalism, the importance of one's name and family
Small chapter book appropriate for 3rd grade level.
I liked how it was about a Hispanic character. I am looking for more books with that aspect in them.
Maria Isabel biggest conflict is that her teacher choses to call her Mary Lopez because there is already another Maria in the class. Maria Isabel takes pride in her name and all relatives whom she is named after. She gets in trouble with the teacher because she doesn't answer to her name "Mary Lopez". Maria Isabel isn't being disrespectful she just doesn't think of that as her name and doesn't make the connection that the teacher is calling on her. This confusion causes Maria Isabel to miss out on the opportunity to sing in the school pageant. Instead she is given an unimportant job and misses out on the singing.
Maria Isabel is reading Charlotte's Web at the time and makes personal connections to the story.
In the end, Maria writes a "Greatest Wish" essay and states how she wants to be called by her real name and sing in the pageant. The teacher reads it and puts her in the pageant with a singing role.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 22, 2011
This is a short chapter book about a girl called Maria Isabel Salazar Lopez. The teacher insists on calling her Mary Lopez to make things easier, and Maria Isabel is too shy to correct her. Plus, Maria Isabel is excluded from the Winter Pageant. It all works out in the end when Maria Isabel writes a paper saying what her true name is and that she'd like to participate in the pageant.
It is a nice story, but if there is a flaw it is that it doesn't really explain why the teacher seems so dumb and unfriendly (downright abusive almost!) at the beginning, but changes and becomes friendly and understanding at the end. It could have gone more in depth there. (I find it hard to believe a teacher can go a culturally insensitive idiot to Ms. Friendly Smile so fast.)
I wish the book would have resolved itself a little more slowly--I found myself wondering if Maria Isabel makes new friends or if she ever builds her snowman.
The book discusses the plot of "Charlotte's Web" so it is good to have read that prior to reading this book. It gives away a BIG spoiler to "Charlotte's Web", which I thought was a rather dumb thing to do.
Also, it discusses winter holidays so it would have been nice to have read this in December.
But I do think it is an important issue and good to read about.
It is a nice story, but if there is a flaw it is that it doesn't really explain why the teacher seems so dumb and unfriendly (downright abusive almost!) at the beginning, but changes and becomes friendly and understanding at the end. It could have gone more in depth there. (I find it hard to believe a teacher can go a culturally insensitive idiot to Ms. Friendly Smile so fast.)
I wish the book would have resolved itself a little more slowly--I found myself wondering if Maria Isabel makes new friends or if she ever builds her snowman.
The book discusses the plot of "Charlotte's Web" so it is good to have read that prior to reading this book. It gives away a BIG spoiler to "Charlotte's Web", which I thought was a rather dumb thing to do.
Also, it discusses winter holidays so it would have been nice to have read this in December.
But I do think it is an important issue and good to read about.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2010
Rutmeri Mercado 12-6-10
Este libro se llama me llamo María Isabel por alma flor Ada. Este libro se trata de una niña llamada María Isabel pero ella es nueva en su clase no conoce a nadie. Pero en receso una niña llamada marta Pérez. que la invita a brincar la cuerda con ella. De ese tiempo adelante ella estaba impuesta. Uno de los personajes mi libro es María Isabel ella es una niña buena portorriqueña.
Mi opinión de este libro es que es muy bueno porque es de una niña que entra a el mundo nuevo y aprendi muchas cosas nuevas como hablar ingles
Además hace muchos amigas. y amigos una parte que me gusto .fue cuando marta. invito a Maria Isabel a brincar la cuerda con ella pero la parte que no me gusto fue cuando maria Isabel salió del el autobús y tropeco con una rama de árbol.
Yo reccomendo este libro. a la gente que le gustan libros. Que tienen menssages. importantes y bonitos. Este libro me recuerda
al libro para una vida mejor. por Nicolasa Mohr
fin
Este libro se llama me llamo María Isabel por alma flor Ada. Este libro se trata de una niña llamada María Isabel pero ella es nueva en su clase no conoce a nadie. Pero en receso una niña llamada marta Pérez. que la invita a brincar la cuerda con ella. De ese tiempo adelante ella estaba impuesta. Uno de los personajes mi libro es María Isabel ella es una niña buena portorriqueña.
Mi opinión de este libro es que es muy bueno porque es de una niña que entra a el mundo nuevo y aprendi muchas cosas nuevas como hablar ingles
Además hace muchos amigas. y amigos una parte que me gusto .fue cuando marta. invito a Maria Isabel a brincar la cuerda con ella pero la parte que no me gusto fue cuando maria Isabel salió del el autobús y tropeco con una rama de árbol.
Yo reccomendo este libro. a la gente que le gustan libros. Que tienen menssages. importantes y bonitos. Este libro me recuerda
al libro para una vida mejor. por Nicolasa Mohr
fin
October 5, 2009
Many students will be able to relate to this story about a little girl who is not called her name by the teacher. It shows the importance of personal identity and family and highlights being new, fitting in, and not feeling "smart" or looked at as not knowing. It's a good read during Hispanic Heritage Month or the holiday season since it touches on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Students can personally connect to the story because of the school settings and the interactions with siblings and parents. The level is around a 3rd grade level and it's available in Spanish. It can work nice as literature circles since the language is not complicated and the chapters are short.
January 30, 2016
Not impressed. The story line could have been way better and I know it's a cliche topic, but I became uninterested. I thought this was going to be a great story for my class to read together as a book club project, but the story line disappointed me. It was bland and not the inspiring book I was looking for. I think my students would get bored before they finish the book. I'll continue to look for another book for my classroom.
Pros: short, could be a good book for an individual reader
Cons: bland, would not make a good book for a class project
Pros: short, could be a good book for an individual reader
Cons: bland, would not make a good book for a class project
January 20, 2015
My Name is Maria Isabel walks the reader through an event that many might not think will affect a child. Transferring into a new school to find yourself with a student that already has your name. Defending yourself through a piece of writing might not seem as a strong way to do so but it is efficient. The young girl Maria Isabel goes to school in discomfort for not being caller her birth given name.
This is a great book to introduce any classroom to because it speaks to every single one within the classroom. This is believed because we all possess culture, our name is part of our own sense of self. Our names carry meaning, memories, and many more things that help us know who we are. Maria Isabel makes it clear that she has her very own meaning to her name despite the fact that there are others with her name in the new classroom.
Growing up there were other girls in the classroom with part of my name “Sandy” or “Alex” teachers would often call me either or Alexa but I was always bummed out that my name wasn’t what I was called, Alexsandy. This book I can really connect to , though my name has no connection to my parents family it does come along with a funny story, which is part of me.
This is a great book to introduce any classroom to because it speaks to every single one within the classroom. This is believed because we all possess culture, our name is part of our own sense of self. Our names carry meaning, memories, and many more things that help us know who we are. Maria Isabel makes it clear that she has her very own meaning to her name despite the fact that there are others with her name in the new classroom.
Growing up there were other girls in the classroom with part of my name “Sandy” or “Alex” teachers would often call me either or Alexa but I was always bummed out that my name wasn’t what I was called, Alexsandy. This book I can really connect to , though my name has no connection to my parents family it does come along with a funny story, which is part of me.
January 29, 2024
By the time Maria's family moves into their new home, the school year has begun. Her first day does not go well. On the way to the bus stop, Maria trips, skins her knee, and dirties her favorite yellow dress. Then, her teacher changes her name to Mary because there are already two Marias in the class. Maria tries hard to listen and do well, but she simply cannot remember her new name. Whenever the teacher calls on "Mary Lopez," Maria does not answer. Several times a day, the teacher scolds Maria for her inattention. When the teacher assigns an essay entitled "My Greatest Wish," Maria communicates her feelings about her name- Maria Isabel Salazar Lopez. She shares the origin of each name and expresses that her greatest desire is to be called "Maria."
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com
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January 18, 2018Este libro aborda la importancia del nombre de uno y cómo puede impactar su vida, que es algo que todos tienen en común. También aborda el problema que muchas personas con nombres que reflejan su cultura están siendo pronunciadas o ignoradas. La cultura de una persona es algo que ellos valoran, y los hace únicos, y por eso merece ser reconocido. Este libro hace que la gente se dé cuenta que su herencia es algo de lo que enorgullecerse y que las culturas de las otras personas deben ser respetadas. Es importante tomarse el tiempo para aprender el nombre de una persona de modo que usted no ignore el significado y el valor detrás de ese nombre. Tener este tipo de respeto beneficiará a las identidades culturales de otras personas, en lugar de hacer que se sientan mal por su cultura. Creo que el libro tiene una gran moral.
August 20, 2017
As a student in the U.S. that is learning the Spanish language, I'm always looking for new books to read in Spanish. This book was different for me because instead of being written for students in Middle/High School that are learning Spanish, it is written for younger kids that are fluent in the language. It used lots of Spanish vocabulary and also helped me begin to understand harder verb tenses.
I enjoyed reading this book, and appreciate how it deals with the importance of identity for younger kids. The plot was fairly basic, but it was a sweet story and a fun read.
(3.5-4)
I enjoyed reading this book, and appreciate how it deals with the importance of identity for younger kids. The plot was fairly basic, but it was a sweet story and a fun read.
(3.5-4)
February 2, 2009
This book centered around a theme of cultural sensitivity (or lack thereof) - Maria joins a class that already has 2 other students named Maria, but the teacher shortens her name to Mary without asking her she would feel about it. This creates an inner struggle with Maria who happens to love her name that is symbolic of her family.
I thought that Ada did a nice job of displaying the downfall of lack of communication to multicultural students.
I thought that Ada did a nice job of displaying the downfall of lack of communication to multicultural students.
April 17, 2013
This is one of my favorite children's books because it discusses her struggle to adapt to changes, find her voice, and explore important issues of identity and understanding. I would use this as a journal activity after reading the story. "Write about a time when you felt different from everyone else or misunderstood. How did you overcome this feeling?"
October 8, 2009
this book is the one i read for reading logs. it a good story. Maria is cute girl who goes to school and tells about her days at school. i love this book
September 26, 2015
I loved the main idea of this story, and I think most of you could really relate to it! However, the length is weird -- I either wanted it to be shorter & more focused, or longer & more developed!
October 3, 2017
3.5/4
Sweet, thoughtful, wanted more.. but I think it suits the book and age it is written for !
Sweet, thoughtful, wanted more.. but I think it suits the book and age it is written for !
March 6, 2021
Acabo de leer este libro en español, después de leerlo en inglés con mis estudiantes. Decidí leer este libro porque soy habladora intermedia de español, y supone que sería más fácil leer un libro en español cuando ya he leído la historia en inglés y ademas estoy familiarizada con la historia.
La historia trata de una niña llamada María Isabel, después de su familia había mudarse a un nuevo y distinto vecindario. Los cambios incluye un nuevo apartamento, un nuevo edificio en que los vecinos son desconocidos, y una nueva escuela con una maestra que rechaza usar el nombre verdadero de María Isabel porque ya hay dos otras Marias en la clase. En lugar, la maestra decide llamarla Mary, un cambio que a María Isabel le angustia.
Como su nombre María Isabel tiene muchas raíces en la historia y linaje de su familia, este cambio hace a María Isabel angustiada y deprimida por la mayor parte de la historia. Durante la historia, su autoestima falta más y más, y esta afecta su salud mental y sentido de identidad profundamente. Y a la misma vez, esta separada de sus amigas cariños de su viejo vecindario, su viejos profesoras que siempre mostraba respeto por su identidad, y sus abuelas. Y aunque estas problemas le trae mucho pena, ella se limita hablar en las con sus padres, hermano, o amigas.
No me siento satisfecha con la resolución de la historia. María Isabel simplemente escriba una carta a su profesora, describiendo su desea al usar su nombre verdadero y cantar en la representación del festiva, y inmediatamente y rápidamente, su profesora cambia de carácter. Después de leer la carta, su profesora la acerca y pide si quisiera María Isabel participar (usando su nombre verdadero por la primera vez en la historia). Creo que esta resolución ser demasiado fácil y no realista.
La otra cosa que me hubiera gustado ver es más honesto discusión sobre las temas de racismo y identidad. El fuente de la problems en la historia es el racismo y perjudicar de la profesora, pero la historia nunca lo admita realmente. Como maestra blanca de estudiantes de color, me siento disgustado con la ignorancia y negligencia que mostraba la profesora durante la historia. Y al fin, ¿ella simplemente usó el verdadero nombre María Isabel y la ofreció un parte en la representación? ¿No pido disculpas de María Isabel, después de tratarla con tan perjudicar? Si yo hubiera escrito la historia, añadiera un parte en que la profesora pide disculpa de María Isabel y realmente toma responsabilidad por sus acciones y el daño que causó.
Al fin de cuentas, yo recomiendo esta historia con cariño, y me apetece leer mucho más de las historias de Alma Flor Ada.
(también, disculpa mi pobre español)
La historia trata de una niña llamada María Isabel, después de su familia había mudarse a un nuevo y distinto vecindario. Los cambios incluye un nuevo apartamento, un nuevo edificio en que los vecinos son desconocidos, y una nueva escuela con una maestra que rechaza usar el nombre verdadero de María Isabel porque ya hay dos otras Marias en la clase. En lugar, la maestra decide llamarla Mary, un cambio que a María Isabel le angustia.
Como su nombre María Isabel tiene muchas raíces en la historia y linaje de su familia, este cambio hace a María Isabel angustiada y deprimida por la mayor parte de la historia. Durante la historia, su autoestima falta más y más, y esta afecta su salud mental y sentido de identidad profundamente. Y a la misma vez, esta separada de sus amigas cariños de su viejo vecindario, su viejos profesoras que siempre mostraba respeto por su identidad, y sus abuelas. Y aunque estas problemas le trae mucho pena, ella se limita hablar en las con sus padres, hermano, o amigas.
No me siento satisfecha con la resolución de la historia. María Isabel simplemente escriba una carta a su profesora, describiendo su desea al usar su nombre verdadero y cantar en la representación del festiva, y inmediatamente y rápidamente, su profesora cambia de carácter. Después de leer la carta, su profesora la acerca y pide si quisiera María Isabel participar (usando su nombre verdadero por la primera vez en la historia). Creo que esta resolución ser demasiado fácil y no realista.
La otra cosa que me hubiera gustado ver es más honesto discusión sobre las temas de racismo y identidad. El fuente de la problems en la historia es el racismo y perjudicar de la profesora, pero la historia nunca lo admita realmente. Como maestra blanca de estudiantes de color, me siento disgustado con la ignorancia y negligencia que mostraba la profesora durante la historia. Y al fin, ¿ella simplemente usó el verdadero nombre María Isabel y la ofreció un parte en la representación? ¿No pido disculpas de María Isabel, después de tratarla con tan perjudicar? Si yo hubiera escrito la historia, añadiera un parte en que la profesora pide disculpa de María Isabel y realmente toma responsabilidad por sus acciones y el daño que causó.
Al fin de cuentas, yo recomiendo esta historia con cariño, y me apetece leer mucho más de las historias de Alma Flor Ada.
(también, disculpa mi pobre español)
July 9, 2022
Great example of being yourself. I also like that there are illustrations….The plot and main idea are good. There are many details that describe what María Isabel wishes for.
But I do feel that María Isabel’s character traits should be more clear in the book. Also the name “María Isabel” was pretty repetitive.
Overall I liked this book a lot! I will definitely read more of Alma Flor Ada’s books.
But I do feel that María Isabel’s character traits should be more clear in the book. Also the name “María Isabel” was pretty repetitive.
Overall I liked this book a lot! I will definitely read more of Alma Flor Ada’s books.
January 31, 2022
Este cuento fue muy lindo. Me gusta mucho.
January 28, 2021
Text-to-Self Connection
A young immigrant girl named Maria Isabel is asked by her teacher to be called "Mary" instead of Maria since there are already two Maria's in her class. Unfortunately, this makes Maria feel like she's lost her sense of self, of who she is, and it even affects her school performance. Changing schools is a huge adjustment for a child and especially in the middle of the school year. Not only did Maria have to get used to a different daily routine, but the culture of the school was different than prior schools. When I was in middle school I was also moved in the middle of a school year and had to adjust fairly quickly to a new environment. As a child with ADD, this was especially hard because routines were the only thing that really helped me stay on track in school. Like Maria, I did not have very good interactions with my new middle school teachers and we had many misunderstandings between us, so the story is very relatable.
A young immigrant girl named Maria Isabel is asked by her teacher to be called "Mary" instead of Maria since there are already two Maria's in her class. Unfortunately, this makes Maria feel like she's lost her sense of self, of who she is, and it even affects her school performance. Changing schools is a huge adjustment for a child and especially in the middle of the school year. Not only did Maria have to get used to a different daily routine, but the culture of the school was different than prior schools. When I was in middle school I was also moved in the middle of a school year and had to adjust fairly quickly to a new environment. As a child with ADD, this was especially hard because routines were the only thing that really helped me stay on track in school. Like Maria, I did not have very good interactions with my new middle school teachers and we had many misunderstandings between us, so the story is very relatable.
October 15, 2017
This was a good book that was about Maria Isabel, a little girl, who started at a new school and was so upset that her teacher assigned her the name of Mary as there were 4 Maria's in the classroom. Everytime the teacher would call the name Mary, Maria didn't answer because she wasn't use to that name. The teacher became very upset with Maria after several attempts to have her answer some questions during class. It was this name that made her miss opportunities such as the holiday play. Maria was so upset that she couldn't participate as she had a very good voice. One day in school her teacher asked the class to write about their greatest wish. Maria felt she had only one chance to write something of importance. She wrote that she wanted to be called by her correct name, Maria Isabel Salazar Lopez. She explained why this name was so important and who each person was that she was named after. The next day when play rehearsal began the teacher made a slight change to the holiday program and that it was now to include Maria Isabel Salazar Lopez and she would have a singing part. Maria was so happy that her wish had come true. This was a very simple book with a lot of meaning for a child in that it showed that children need to be able to speak up for themselves. Sometimes they can get what they want by telling the reason. Illustrations were minimal and were in black and white. Not very consequential.
March 19, 2017
This is a very basic chapter book that is very short and simple. Maria Isabel wants to be called Maria Isabel but her teacher names her Mary and gets very angry when Maria Isabel doesn't answer to the name Mary. Maria Isabel misses out on opportunities because the teacher doesn't use her real name. This book just made me angry because the teacher was portrayed in such negative light but rightly so because the teacher had no patience for Maria Isabel. I was angry reading this because as a teacher I would never disrespect a student by calling the student a different name or mispronouncing their name and I know every teacher in my school would do the same thing. I wanted so much more from this book-more depth, more feelings, more explanations but this book is intended for a much younger audience. I feel that this book would be appropriate for 2nd and 3rd graders but no higher.
February 25, 2012
Ages 7-10
Reviews:
Publisher's Weekly; School Library Journal
Summary: A story about a young girl, Maria Isabel Salazar Lopez, who moves across the city and must start at a new school mid-year. Nervous about a new school Maria Isabel tries to do her best--but is struck by how much the teacher altering her name to Mary affects her studies and self esteem. She surrenders to self doubt all along reading Charlotte's Web, and finally realizes she must speak up when given the opportunity in a class assignment. In the end she is able share her gifts and talents with her new teacher and school.
Curriculum Connection:
Moving Making new friends
Being proud of your culture/accepting of different cultures (with direct tie-ins to Latino culture/names)
Reviews:
Publisher's Weekly; School Library Journal
Summary: A story about a young girl, Maria Isabel Salazar Lopez, who moves across the city and must start at a new school mid-year. Nervous about a new school Maria Isabel tries to do her best--but is struck by how much the teacher altering her name to Mary affects her studies and self esteem. She surrenders to self doubt all along reading Charlotte's Web, and finally realizes she must speak up when given the opportunity in a class assignment. In the end she is able share her gifts and talents with her new teacher and school.
Curriculum Connection:
Moving Making new friends
Being proud of your culture/accepting of different cultures (with direct tie-ins to Latino culture/names)
September 12, 2015
I appreciate books like this because they help me to understand as a teacher how children may perceive me. This is especially true when the main character has a different race, ethnicity, or other background from me. In a sense, it seems relatively harmless that a teacher would shorten Maria Isabel Salazar Lopez's name to "Mary Lopez." But in another sense, the teacher is dangerously playing someone's identity; in this story, the teacher didn't even ask permission first. I think this book is valuable reading for any children who find themselves in a setting in which they are not the predominant cultural/linguistic/racial group. But it's equally valuable for teachers who need a good dose of empathy for their students.
October 16, 2017
My first impression of this book was shocked. I was shocked with the size of the book. It is very small and looks to be very short. The cover shows a Solet of a young girl sitting at a desk. This chapter book tells a story about a little Hispanic student. Maria is growing up in the US, but is having trouble in her American classroom setting. She has difficulty understanding her teachers lesson plans. Not only this, but her teacher makes her change her name to Mary. This shows readers the struggle of English Language Leaners. It also shows diversity in the classroom. This book was a good read. I would highly recommend this book for a classroom read aloud. It was great writing prompts for students.
October 8, 2011
A cute enough story about a girl who has relocated. Her teacher calls her Mary, instead of Maria Isabel. This bothers little Maria Isabel. She misses out on a part in the school pageant because she didn't recognize her new name.
she gathers the strength to tell her teacher in an essay. Sure enough, Maria gets a part in the pageant.
It's a bit forced, but good enough. Students relate to the cultural references. There's some good language in here.
We use the book to teach how to make and confirm predictions. Good readers can see that Maria Isabel will get a part in the play.
6 September 2010
30 October 2011
she gathers the strength to tell her teacher in an essay. Sure enough, Maria gets a part in the pageant.
It's a bit forced, but good enough. Students relate to the cultural references. There's some good language in here.
We use the book to teach how to make and confirm predictions. Good readers can see that Maria Isabel will get a part in the play.
6 September 2010
30 October 2011
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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