Monchi likes to write poems, hang out with his cousin, and tell stories to his uncle. Then one day, a member of the local gang tells him it's time to join up. Monchi is scared but excited. The older boys give him the handshake, girls talk to him, and even teachers are afraid of him. But when a tragic event changes everything, Monchi must make an important decision. There is no easy answer to his dilemma, but the love and respect of his uncle help him find a way out. Written in both English and Spanish, It Doesn't Have to Be This Way is a compelling tale of a young boy's encounter with the world of gangs.
Luis J. Rodríguez (b. 1954) is a poet, journalist, memoirist, and author of children’s books, short stories, and novels. His documentation of urban and Mexican immigrant life has made him one of the most prominent Chicano literary voices in the United States. Born in El Paso, Texas, to Mexican immigrant parents, Rodríguez grew up in Los Angeles, where in his teen years he joined a gang, lived on the streets, and became addicted to heroin. In his twenties, after turning his back on gang violence and drugs, Rodríguez began his career as a journalist and then award-winning poet, writing such books as the memoir Always Running (1993), and the poetry collections The Concrete River (1991), Poems Across the Pavement (1989), and Trochemoche (1998). He has also written the short story collection The Republic of East L.A. (2002). Rodríguez maintains an arts center, bookstore, and poetry press in L.A., where he continues writing and working to mediate gang violence.
I think I underestimated this book a little bit when I first saw it. The story is definitely one for older children. It is a very heavy story. This book is about a young boy named Ramon growing up in the barrio and possibly getting caught up in a gang. It goes through and follows him around trying to decide about the choices he as to make and a very impactful and dangerous position he was put in. Once again, the plot of this story is pretty heavy for young readers so read with caution with little ones. I think it would be a relatable book for some, especially those who did grow up in or are growing up in a place like a barrio. Gangs are very prevalent in hispanic cultures and even here in America as well. This story is not just about gangs but it teaches about problem solving and trying to figure out the best choices in hard situations. Not falling into peer pressure in situations and doing the right thing. It is about thinking of who you want to be as a person. I do think that one bad thing that can come from this is people viewing this in a negative way in regard to the gangs. People often think that Hispanics are criminals and trouble makers but that is not the case in a lot of instances. I did find that to be a negative stereotype in this book but I know the author is not writing with those intentions. The illustrations are represented pretty accurately, the images are realistic and do add to the details in the story. The characters remain the same throughout and they are all given an important role for the development. I do think again that this book would be great to have in a classroom with a lot of Hispanic influence because I know that this topic is very known in those communities. It is good for children to see these perspectives and learn from them and learn the right path to take sometimes may not be the one you have been pressured or swayed into doing so.
Author Luis J. Rodriguez has used his experiences as a young pandillero in LA (gang banger) to inspire youth on making better choices if they are surrounded with gang life. It Doesn’t Have To Be This Way is the story of a young boy who lives in a community of violence and heavy gang related activity. Even Though he has family that loves him and cares for him, he still finds himself pressured to join a gang a the age of ten years old. Monchi, the main character, agrees to join a gang and goes through the process of “proving himself” to join. He begins to steal bikes and vandalizes his school right before getting jumped. Monchi’s uncle and cousin advice him to not get involved with gangs, but he does not listen. On the night Monchis is supposed to get jumped, his cousin Dreamer shows up to try and stop it and ultimately gets shot. Monchis realizes his twelve year old cousin is now fighting for her life as a result of him wanting to join a gang. The story ends with Monchis reflecting on his bad choices and influences. Cousin Dreamer gets better and this motivates Monchis to focus on school and family, instead of the gangs. This book allows readers to understand the difficulties in growing up in neighborhoods with gang violence. This book serves as a mirror for children who live in these communities. This book also serves as a window for those who are not aware of this life, yet they could learn through the story of an ex-gang member who was able to use his experiences as inspiration to do better in life.
It Doesn't have To Be This Way/No Tiene que ser así is a tale about a boy, Monchi, who is attracted to join a gang. After he experiences a tragedy, he wants to escape from it but he does not find help. Later, only his uncle who shows him love and respect helps him get out of the gang. This bilingual book has colorful illustrations and could be read when talking to students about conflict resolution, identity, empathy, and diverse backgrounds.
Though the Spanish translation often outshines the English (and the first few paragraphs feel shoe-horned in), this wonderfully illustrated book teaches a poignant lesson while respecting all its characters.
Good story! A bit too fast paced, but good overall story with the beginning, middle, and end. Perfect for children. Read this book to practice reading Spanish, and it did the job very well.
Picture book pairing with Yummy It Doesn't Have to Be This Way Picture book
Pairing This title is a picture book that is written in both English and Spanish. Both books are about young children participating in gang activities. Both of these books deglamorize gang participation.
Audience Latino/Hispanic students who are at risk of being influenced by gang activity. A student who is more comfortable reading Spanish.
SOL 7.1 The student will use knowledge of health concepts to make decisions related to personal safety and wellness. Key concepts/skills include a) alternatives to gang-related behaviors and acts of violence; b) recognition of harmful and risky behaviors; 8.2 The student will apply health concepts and skills to the management of personal and family health. Key concepts/skills include a) the risks associated with gang-related activities;
Awards, Honors Americas Award Commended List Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies
Selection Criteria o Authority: Luis Rodriguez was involved in gangs from the ages 11 to 18. He is a leading gang expert testifying in more than 60 cases. He spent thirty years in urban peace and gang intervention work, and helped to develop the Community-based Gang Intervention program in Los Angeles. He is currently a trainer for the Advancement Project’s gang intervention academy. o Accuracy: This book is based on first hand events experienced by the author. The story is current and could take place today. o Relevance to Curriculum: The story shows the risks involved with being in gangs. It also addresses productive alternatives. o Appropriateness: The book is leveled for 10 and up, but the text and pictures are geared towards the middle school student. The characters in the story are age 11 and up. o Scope: Detailed gang practices are described showing the violent nature of gangs, including a harsh initiation practice. A strong conflict resolution theme is also present. o Literary Merit: The illustrator has 30 years of experience painting public commissioned murals in California and New York. o Value to the Collection: This book provides a Latino/Hispanic themed piece of work. The book is written in Spanish and English which will appeal to more readers.
Ordering Information It Doesn't Have to Be This Way/No tiene que ser asi: A Barrio Story/Una historia del barrio, by Luis J. Rodriquez, 1999 by Children's Book Press. Library Binding: 978-1417742936 $31.95
Luis Rodriguez’s It Doesn’t Have To Be This Way, illustrated by Daniel Galvez, is a thoughtful children’s book that addresses issues of gang violence in Latino neighborhoods, or barrios. The events of the story are loosely based on Rodriguez’s personal life. Many of the features of this bilingual text are likely to ring true with children from Latino families who tend to live close by: the main character Ramon, a.k.a. Monchi, walks alongside chickens, down the road to see his cousin Dreamer. A few blocks further, he visits his uncle. As Monchi begins to join a gang, he is quickly taught to dress in bandanas and “button just the top two buttons of my flannel shirts” like the vatos locos from Mexican and Central American communities.
What defines the true beauty of the text, however, is the combination of concise, straightforward text and exquisitely designed images. Rodriguez does not use his text to elaborate on emotions or to give excessive description. He merely states his point, and the illustrations fill in the gaps. As the story moves from a light, less serious mood to a more dramatic one, the reader grasps the change in emotion from the intense images of Monchi’s face, challenging Clever who tries to bring him along another crime.
Rodriguez’s text is a perfect one to use with children who may encounter gangs and gang violence. Dealing with the topic in a direct, but also thoughtful way, Rodriguez addresses this issue in a very appropriate way.
This amazing narrative is about a young boy named Ramon who has a very tough decision to make, if he should become part of a gang in his neighborhood. He becomes friends with a boy, named Clever, who is not much older than him who joined the gang recently. His cousin, Dreamer, continues to tell him that he should not go join the gang, and that he is better than that. Towards the end of the book, he realizes that he shouldn't be part of the gang, and that he can live a much better life without it. As a teacher, I can use this book with older children, especially in a low income school where they are very aware of these situations. I will show them that this life is not how it has to be, and people can fight against it instead of joining. The author, Luis Rodriquez, was involved in gangs himself throughout most of his adolescence, so he was able to portray it very authentically. It can relate to my topic in that this was a hispanic gang, but it also can teach that anyone from any background can be in danger of gangs, but we can all be strong and not give in to the peer pressure.
Luis Rodriguez's moving account of a young boy's challenge growing up in a gang-infested barrio will turn your stomach. Daniel Galvez's all too real illustrations are a fitting but unsettling complement to Rodriguez's words. We may know the story, but presenting it as the author and illustrator do in picture book form made me all the more uncomfortable. I knew young people growing up who, when facing the same challenges as Ramon confronts, embraced their negative influence. This is a powerful story that deserves a modern audience and even more conversation, especially in the blighted areas of our most crime-ridden cities. Knowing the compelling power of these gangs still exists, preying upon the most innocent and bringing them into their dark world is depressing. The fact the book features a dual language narrative, written in Spanish and English, makes its message of breaking free from the Mexican and Central American gangs all the more accessible to an ever-growing population of Latino immigrants to the United States.
A 1999 Americas Commended Title. This story is written by Luis J. Rodriguez, who is known for his book "Always Running: La Vida Loca". His introduction provides the reader with history of the author and his experience of gang life. The story begins with Ramon as an innocent community member who is aware of gangs. It is until a gang member approaches him that Ramon begins to change. It shows the negative aspects of becoming part of a gang and it shows a positive outcome from a decision to get out. (I question the 'getting out' part).
A recommended level is slightly difficult to determine due to the topic of gang and the gang activity that is exposed. Initially, I am thinking more middle school to high school. However, the bilingual text is straightforward that it can be used for students who are at risk even before middle school.
I love this book! The illustration by Daniel Galvez(mural creator) is like real-life and both translation in English and Spanish on print makes me glad. This is a story of Monchi who gets involved in a neighborhood gang as a young boy. The tragic event of Dreamer is the turning point with Tio Rogelio's guidance. The title of the book is quoted from Tio who said, "It doesn't have to be this way, m'ijo, I know you want to be a man but you have to decide what kind of man you want to be."
"That was a brave thing, I have a lot of respect for you." Nobody ever said that to me before.
I think I will have this book signed by Luis when he comes to EMU on 3/31.
This is a great picture book for students of many ages. It is a realistic story about a young boy who is surrounded by gangs and eventually is invited to join a gang. He has to make the decision between right and wrong. One of the best parts of this book is it written in both English and Spanish which appeals to bilingual Spanish speaking students. The book contains realistic pictures representing the Hispanic culture and gangs. It's a great book even for use with older students when discussing gangs.