Red Hot Salsa: Bilingual Poems on Being Young and Latino in the United States

by Lori Marie Carlson (Editor), Oscar Hijuelos

i think in spanish
i write in english

i want to go back to puerto rico,
but i wonder if my kink could live
in ponce, mayagüez and carolina

tengo las venas aculturadas
escribo en spanglish
abraham in español

--from "My Graduation Speech," by Tato Laviera

A new collection of bilingual poems from the bestselling editor of Cool Salsa

Ten years after the publication of the acclaimed Cool Salsa, editor Lori Marie Carlson has brought together a stunning variety of Latino poets for a long-awaited follow-up. Established and familiar names are joined by many new young voices, and Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Oscar Hijuelos has written the Introduction.

The poets collected here illuminate the difficulty of straddling cultures, languages, and identities. They celebrate food, family, love, and triumph. In English, Spanish, and poetic jumbles of both, they tell us who they are, where they are, and what their hopes are for the future.

Genres: Poetry, Young Adult, Cultural, Banned Books, Spanish Literature, Latinx, Teen

160 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2005

About the author

Lori Marie Carlson was born in Jamestown, New York. She went to college at Indiana University, earning a MA in Hispanic Literature. She has taught at several universities.

Carlson has written several books for children and young adults, including Cool Salsa and Sol a Sol. The Sunday Tertulia is her first novel for adults.

Reviews

[Brina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Earlier this month I read Cool Salsa: Bilingual Poems on Growing Up Latino in the United States which talks about the experience Hispanic kids face growing up bilingual in the United States. In the comments to the review, my goodreads friend Beth let me know that the editor Lori Marie Carlson had written a follow up entitled Red Hot Salsa: Bilingual Poems on Being Young and Latino in the United States, which left me intrigued to read it. As the Hispanic population in the United States increases and makes it presence felt in all facets of society, Carlson desired to pay homage to a new generation of Latinos who are helping to transform what it means to be a proud American.

As in Cool Salsa: Bilingual Poems on Growing Up Latino in the United States, Carlson includes the Spanish and English version of all the poems in this anthology. In the first book, I read the Spanish and English side by side to get a feel for how the words flowed from the pages. In Red Hot Salsa, I decided to either read the English first or just one language because I reasoned that as Hispanic culture is becoming more mainstream, more authors are choosing to use English as their first language. These newer generations are no longer writing of the immigrant experience, but of life as Americans, and many boast English as their first or dominant language, some children only speaking Spanish to their parents at home. Award winning author Oscar Hijuelos writes of this dichotomy in his introduction when he notes of a time that he went to the hospital for a minor surgery. He left home speaking only Spanish and returned speaking English, much to the chagrin of his immigrant parents. Thus, I decided to mainly read this collection in English, choosing only to view the Spanish as a reference point.

Carlson has chosen to include the work of many of the same writers as in her first collection. Here can be found the work of Gina Valdes, Luis J. Rodriguez, and Gary Soto. Yet, Carlson also has included poetry written by a number of New York City public school children in this volume. In "Invisible Boundaries," Ivette Alvarez writes, "I'm surrounded by a society that expects nothing of me other than to become a regular, tired housewife...I want to become someone important. I must overcome the invisible boundaries." Likewise, in "Life in the Barrio", Kizzilie Bonilla describes the dangers of growing up in el barrio and how she would one day like to make something more of herself and get out. Both students would like to achieve much in life and dream big, yet even after many generations as Americans, face the prejudice of being Hispanic. This, Carlson notes, Hispanics are still fighting to overcome even after being known as Americans, and the new generation of poets she selected attempt to break down these barriers and enter mainstream society.

In the last section of the collection entitled Victory, writers speak of overcoming prejudices that still exist. Rodriguez in "Piece by Piece" speaks of a time when people will no longer be judged by their skin color. He says, "Here you have a way. Here you can sing victory. Here you are not a conquered race, perpetual victim, the sullen face in a thunderstorm." Likewise, in "Ode to the Tortilla," Valdes pays homage to both Aztec culture and following in the direction of her dreams. She notes, "if we become what we most desire, next life I may be born a tortilla, to bless with my smoky scent, someone who loves me; daily I say, pass me a tortilla, edible son, nutritious moon, earthly host...I want to celebrate my body of corn, this gold light that encircles my spirit." In each instance, these writers desire to end the prejudices facing them and to be viewed as Americans, where all cultures are celebrated, and where anyone can achieve dreams if given the chance.

I did not find Red Hot Salsa: Bilingual Poems on Being Young and Latino in the United States to be as innovative as Cool Salsa: Bilingual Poems on Growing Up Latino in the United States because most of the authors and editor were the same as in the first collection. Yet, Red Hot Salsa: Bilingual Poems on Being Young and Latino in the United States shows how Hispanic culture has advanced to the point as being on the cusp of mainstream. No longer are Hispanics only writing or speaking Spanish, and as a plurality culture, they are helping define what it is to be an American. My favorite poem in this entire collection was one line, saying "Taco Bell is not Mexican food." Putting a smile on my face, this line sums up how Hispanics have been working toward being known as Americans, who may choose to speak English or Spanish and still maintain their culture while living the American dream. I still enjoyed Red Hot Salsa: Bilingual Poems on Being Young and Latino in the United States and hope to read full length books by some of the authors included in this anthology. It has been ten years since the publication of this anthology, and I hope Carlson considers another volume showing how far Hispanics have come in this time.

4 stars

[Thérèse Castillo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Someone gifted me this book for my Spanish classroom, and I really enjoyed it! The forward by Oscar Hijuelos struck me with its relatability. I want to try to have my advanced students read it and discuss identity and any insecurities they may have encountered or might encounter through learning Spanish as Hispanics/Latinos. A few less stars because the poems vary in quality -- they are written by teens though, so that's to be expected! One poem is literally "Taco Bell is NOT Mexican food!" LOL But there were others that I found really beautiful and honest. I love that it's bilingual, and I'm hoping to read some with my students or assign them as small practice analysis before doing more classic poems.

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve really been enjoying reading poetry recently. Something so beautiful and powerful intermingled through composition, imagery, rhythm and sound. I particularly enjoyed The Hands, Tia Chucha, and Ode to the Tortilla.

[Teri Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book contains a lovely collection of bilingual poems as the subtitle states "on being young and Latino in the United States." Organized into categories the poems give insight into themes such as language, identities, love, challenges of being bilingual, victory, and dreams. The authors have chosen mostly free verse to tell their powerful, emotional feelings and dreams. I think the poems would help all students identify with the Latino experience in the United States. The poems are irresistible and should be easily comprehended by students. The poem "Spanish" by Gary Soto could be used to introduce a Latino/Latina work of literature to a class. The colloquialisms Gary uses are familiar, funny, and easy to translate. This short poem says so much about the cultural experience of being a Latino, but he masterfully points out how the Spanish language is entwined in the life also. I would use the poem “I Am From Quisquella La Bella” to introduce a work of literature such as Before We Were Free, because it describes the life of a young woman who is “Dominican.” Students could benefit from the three line poem, “My Shortest Food Poem” because it espouses in so few words that Taco Bell food is not Mexican food. Stereotypes and assumptions are shattered through the voices of these talented writers.
In an attempt to help my students understand the Latino/Latina culture, I would have them read the poem, “I Am Who I Am, So What” to hear the poet’s voice struggle with not being accepted as an American because she embraces two cultures. Her identity hangs in the balance because it is hyphenated through the moniker “Mexican-American.” She states that she is a “walking contradiction” and a “grafted flower that didn’t take.” Hearing the clear messages of these poems would provide much needed background knowledge for my students before they read novels in this genre. The poems would enrich the material and give students an insight into the stereotypes and themes that continue to persist today in our society.

[Alejandra Martinez · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I am a walking contradiction.”

This collection of poems is pouring with lines like this one — filled with complexity and linguistic diversity.

It’s an experience that the vibrant Latino community in America can related to. “Ni de aquí, ni de allá” is somehow rooted in many of our identities. I find my self actively searching for belonging. In many of the poems there’s a yearning spirit of home.

Where is home for you? Were you born elsewhere but have lived most of your life in the U.S.? Or did your parents migrate here & now you wish to know their native country more?

I enjoyed how many of the poems mix English and Spanish together. It’s almost lyrical dancing one the page. The words sway with one of the other like they do for me in my head before I choose to speak.

As a Mexican-American I related to the ‘always tied between Mexico and the U.S.’ My connection to the Spanish language centers in the long and the late nights my mother would force me to read her books by Gabriel García Márquez or Isabel Allende. I hated it. I wan noted by it. But now I know she wanted to ensure that I never lost my Spanish language. She would confess to me later that she pushed so hard because at times it felt like her last connection to Mexico — her native language.

I loved this dynamic and relatable collection of poems. It was a pleasure to hear these stories and share them with others on my page.

[Amy Layton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a beautiful book.  For poems mostly in one language, a translation was juxtaposed on the other side, and a glossary was even laid out in the back of the book.  Perfect for those like me who are interested but don't know enough Spanish or lingo to truly understand not only what's being said but what's being related.  Each poem was just incredible, and I loved being able to look at the Spanish translation and try to parse out what was translated and how.  It made for a great experience, and I learned so much about not only how these young authors emote and experience their daily lives, but how little I truly know about the others who surround me.  

Reading this book was a necessary and enjoyable reminder of the fact that I need to continue learning and continue being ready and able to read from a diversified source of authors.  A truly great and needed resource in any sort of teen or high school collection.

Review cross-listed here!

[Nathan Meier · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty good poetry collection and sequel to Cool Salsa. Like I did with Cool Salsa I always read the original version of the poem before the translation, whether English or Spanish. As someone learning Spanish it’s good for practice and learning. It’s also interesting to look at the experiences of another culture. My least favorite poem was The Piñata with a Face Like Mine by Martin Espada, but I do like how there are poems in the collection that convey some of the tougher parts of life and others that convey pleasant parts. I was impressed that Dead Pig’s Revenge by Michele Serros was so long. Piece by Piece by Luis J. Rodríguez was my favorite in this collection. I read each translation of that poem twice.

[Gabi Olofson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The poets of Red Hot Salsa illuminate the difficulty of straddling cultures, languages, and identities. The collection of poems celebrates food, family, love, and triumph. In English, Spanish, and poetic jumbles of both, they tell us who they are, where they are, and what their hopes are for the future.

This collection of poems might not be the most exciting to middle school students, but it allows for students to learn about a foreign culture in a way that is different from a textbook medium or a social studies classroom setting. This set of poems allows students to learn about the struggles and life of Spanish natives learning the ways of the English, creating an awareness and increasing empathy for immigrants. Or, this could also provide comfort for those who are immigrants and can relate to some of the struggles the poems point to. This text could also be very useful in a school district where there is a large population of immigrants or Spanish speaking natives.

This collection of poems allows the opportunity for Ideas from "Teacher Six-Point Writing Guide" to be utilized in a writing activity. This text has a lot of ideas conveyed to students that are wither familiar and comforting or completely new. Using this writing trait in an activity lets students convey their own ideas and thoughts into a composition that expresses their feelings on the new ideas given. Students will strive to practice the best practice of conveying ideas in composition by having striking insight with in-depth knowledge of the topic, significant and intriguing details that paint a vivid picture, and holds the reader's attention.

[Mr. Armstrong · Rating 3 out of 5]

If we become what we most desire
next life I may be born a tortilla
to bless with my smoky scent
someone who loves me

[Marni · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has been awhile since I have read a book of poems written both in Spanish and English. I thought it was beautiful and it rekindled my love of reading poetry in Spanish.

[Rll52014_mollyharris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Red Hot Salsa is a collection of bilingual poems about "being young and Latino in America". The poems are written by a number of contributors including well-known names such as Gary Soto as well as younger voices. The poems are grouped together by theme: language and identity, neighborhoods, amor, family moments and memories and victory. While the poems themselves speak specifically of the Latino American experience, these are themes to which people of all ages and cultures can relate. Some of the poems are translated from Spanish, and some remain in their original "hybrid linguistic beauty" (Carlson). All of the poems communicate to the reader an incredible sense of voice. Some of the poems are funny, many are sad but all offer direct insight into the Latino American experience. Many of the poets write about the struggle to identify oneself while feeling, as one poet puts it, "not Mexican enough, not American enough". A great book that can spark important dialogue about culture, identity, and family and the ways in which they intersect.

[Constance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Red Hot Salsa has some extraordinary poetry. Even those reader's simmering at a beginner level can appreciate the diversity offered by poetry written in Spanish(or English) with this bilingual book. A few of the poems touch on dark topics which might be better left alone in one's free time, especially beginner's teetering on the edge of misunderstanding. Thank You, Lori Marie Carlson, for bringing these collections together.

googled---Red Hot Salsa tiene algo de poesía extraordinaria . Incluso aquellos lector de cocer a fuego lento en un nivel principiante puede apreciar la diversidad que ofrece la poesía escrita en español (o Inglés ) con este libro bilingüe . Algunos de los poemas tocan en temas oscuros que podrían ser mejor quedan solos en el tiempo libre , especialmente para principiantes tambalea al borde de la incomprensión. Gracias, Lori Marie Carlson, por traer estas colecciones juntos.

Thanks google translator.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yikes! It took me FOREVER to get through this short collection of poetry. (And by “forever” I mean nearly three years. Ridiculous.) Can you guess that I don’t like the collection very much (even though I was determined to get through it)? When I first got Red Hot Salsa, I was super excited to use it as a way to practice my Spanish, bump up my vocabulary, and do some side-by-side comparisons of English and Spanish text, but I didn’t find the book particularly engaging. It’s been on my bedside for years and every little while I have forced myself to read one or two more poems. Some were really, really amazing, while others fell utterly flat. Overall, the book was, to me, a huge disappointment.

[Trish Willis]

red hot salsa, bilingual poems on being young and Latino in the United States, is a compilation of poems, edited by Lori Carlson. She edited another book, more than 10 years ago, called. "Cool Salsa." This is a sequel, kind of. There are some poems that are in English and then in Spanish, some that are in Spanish only, and some that are in English with some Spanish words mixed in, kind of a 'Spanglish'.
I found the poems to be inspirational, with many of them celebrating their Latino roots. Others were reflective of the Latino culture, with tongue in cheek references. I enjoyed reading the poems, even though I do not speak, or read, Spanish. I found that I was able to get the gist even though I did not know the Spanish words.
I am going to read Cool Salsa, when I have the time.

[Nicole Hadenfeldt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided to read Red Hot Salsa because poetry is somewhat unfamiliar to me. However, there are many people that connect with poetry. I was surprised by some of the topics that I was able to understand. However, I wasn't the lease bit surprised that there were topics that eluded me, especially the ones that are written with a combination of English and Spanish. Thankfully for me, many of the poems are in English; however they are also translated entirely into Spanish on the next page. Had I not chosen this book for this class, I probably would never have picked it up for the exact reason as is describe in Diversity in Youth Literature, "while some readers may be confused by incidents portrayed in this type of book, members of that culture can personally relate to them."

[Eileen Corbett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful collection of bilingual poems written by various authors. The poems are organized into general themes such as language, identity, neighborhoods, love, family moments, memories, and victory. The poems are written in both English and Spanish and share memories of the past, life in the present, and dreams for the future. The poems are powerful and help explain what it is like to be a young Latino in the United States.

I especially like the poem, "I Am Who I Am, So What" by Raquel Valle Senties. The author explains what it is like to feel as if one doesn't truly belong to any culture - "Not from here, not from there, not Mexican enough, not American enough."

[Katlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm learning Spanish, and this book was a great way to practice reading. The language is fairly simple and, due to the youth focus, felt relevant. There were a few real gems that I marked for a re-read, but many felt generic and some with obvious cliches that, as far as I could tell, the poets had not manipulated for ulterior meanings. I wish the collection had included more poems originally written in Spanish or bilingually-- many were written in English then translated by the editor (to what purpose I'm not sure). It was a pleasant read.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable collection of poems. Most of the poems are in English and then repeated in Spanish (some were originally written in English and some originally in Spanish). Some poems are a mix of both Spanish and English. I was a little frustrated with the poems that had Spanish words or phrases thrown in... until I got to the end of the book and realized that there is a glossary of said words and phrases :)

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a poetry anthology of poems about growing up Latino in the United States. The poems are written in English and translated into Spanish, or vice versa. Some of the words that stay in the original language are then translated in the back of the book. These poems portray life in all different cities and states in the US. This would be a good choice for reluctant readers who are not eager to read an entire novel. I would recommend it for ages 12 and up.

[Mary C · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was great for bilingual adolescent learners. The poems are wonderful and range from topics such as love, English, identity and memories. There are profound poems, and my latino students were very interested. Sone poems have a racy undertone, so make sure the reader is more mature, and you read the poems before you share them with the class. All-in-all, this book was so helpful for my students to understand and appreciate their bilingual advantages and experience.

[Trever · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going back and forth between 4 and 5 stars. I thought the beginning of the book was strong mixing English and Spanish together to get that bilingual feel, but somewhere around page 40 I started losing interest, some of the stories after this were amazing, but I felt that some of the bilingual back and forth wasn’t happening as much.

Great book for any student learning English or Spanish. Has great mentor text pieces for teachers.

[Padjet2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The collections of bilingual poems were barely noticeable that I was reading a different language. A lot of the themes were of oppression and stereotypes. It spoke to me as a reader. So much so that I read some of the poems to my students and had them respond to them I would recommend this book to all ages preferably 6th-11th grade readers.

[Gaby8/9 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is in Spanish and in English, and it's in a poem. The poems are about a girl who is Latin-American and she talks about her wanting to break the barrier, a barrier of hate, racism, white, latino, and many other things. I recommend this to anybody who is having trouble with the way they feel about themselves, culture, or even the way they think.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately, this book and other Latino and Asian American books cannot be used in Mr. Wood's anthology project because their authors are considered American, and therefore do not fulfill the nationality requirements Mr. Wood has.

[Beth Hermes]

I purchased this book because the poems in this book were honest, real and a great addition to any poetry collection. I also think that this is a great book to show when teaching poetry because it would help the appeal to poetry especially with Latino students.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't typically love poetry but I wanted to like this anthology more than I actually did. If I had an excess of gift cards I would buy this for my classroom's independent library but there were no poems that stood out as being great to use in class.

[Nathan Titus · Rating 3 out of 5]

some of the poems were interesting, but most were farly cleche. I liked the poems that were actually bilingual, but unfortunately these were the minority. Dear editor: if a peom is written in english, following it with a spannish translation does NOT make it a bilingual poem!!!

[Mel Ibarra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found it interesting to be able to read a poem in both English and Spanish. There was something special about reading in my mother tongue, mostly because it is I find it so rare to discover books that address my culture.

[Kimberlei Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

High school students may find it interesting because of the content but my students are not big on reading poetry. Music lyrics would be more helpful for them...they love music! Audio books for poetry may work.

[Mo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great choice for high schoolers!