Miguel's Brave Knight Poems by Margarita Engle illustrated by Raul Colon**

Young Cervantes and His Dream of Don Quixote 

Through narrative poems, Ms. Engle animates Miguel de Cervantes's life, focusing on his tumultuous childhood (his father would consistently gamble away his barber's earnings and be thrown in debtor's prison), his imagination, and his resiliency.  The historical, biographical, and cultural notes were extremely interesting. The oversized, tall book reminds me of windmills! Each poem is accompanied by a full-page or more illustration. 

**Highly, highly recommend. I would have teens read this before reading Don Quixote for great background knowledge.

-Borrowed from the library. It's only $10.48 for a new hardcover on Amazon . . .maybe I will buy it!

Anno text set

 When reading an introduction to a section in my son's geometry book, Anno's Hat Tricks illustrated by Mitsumasa Anno was mentioned. Out of curiosity I requested some of his books. He is quite the intriguing illustrator!

The Magic Pocket Selected Poems by Michio Mado translated by The Empress Michiko of Japan decorations by Mitsumasa Anno-very simple poems with simple decorations. I liked how the original Japanese version was on the left with the English translation on the opposite page.

Anno's Spain A wordless book  Takes the viewer through Spain  Some explanations about the illustrations are at the end  Someone who has lived in Spain or visited there for an extended period of time would enjoy this book.

Anno's Alphabet I liked this book the best. Borders have objects hidden in them that represent the featured letter.

Hour of the Bees by Lindsay Eagar

 Carol does not want to spend the summer prior to her seventh grade year in the middle of a New Mexico desert on her grandfather's decrepit sheep ranch. Tempers flare; tension mounts. Carol, her parents, her half-sister and toddler brother are repairing the ranch in order to sell it. Her grandfather has dementia and needs to move into a care facility. Despite her misgivings about the summer, Carol (or Caro-leeen-a, as her grandfather says), finds herself drawn to her grandfather and his stories. 

An interesting mix of realistic fiction and fantasy. I enjoyed the grandfather's stories and the repeated theme of being proud of one's roots. Ms. Eagar has written an unique story. I found the end a bit dramatic. 

Points to discuss: estranged family members/family conflict, dad drinks beer sometimes, big bang theory/evolution considered truth, death- a beloved character dies and also a pet dog, petty junior high girls and their shallow interests/fitting in, her half-sister, Alta, is moody and selfish

Mexique by Maria Jose Ferrada illustrated by Ana Penyas

 A Refugee Story from the Spanish Civil War

This picture book relates the journey children take from war-torn Spain to Mexico.  The narration switches seamlessly between the boat ride over and the horrors of war.  

Figurative language is incoroprated often.

Although this is a picture book, the subject matter is more suitable for older children.  

-Borrowed from the library.

Joy to the World by Tomie DePaola*

 A delightful anthology of three Christmas stories by Tomie  De Paola and Christmas carols.  The stories included  are: The Night of Las Posadas, The Story of the Three Wise Kings, & The Legend of the Poinsettia.  The Chrismas carols are "O Little Town of Bethlehem", "Silent Night", "The First Noel", "Away ina Manger", & "Joy to the World".  The music and words are included for each of the songs.

Read Aloud Revial chose this book for their Family Book Club for the month of December.  

Pair with Christmas Remembered by Tomie DePaola.

*Highly recommend.

-I own this book.

Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpre by Anika Aldamuy Denise illustrated by Paola Escobar

A sweet biography about a woman, Pura Belpre, who comes from Puerto Rico to New York City.  When she begins to work at the library, she realizes that folktales from Puerto Rico are not in the collection.  So begins to bring share those stories with children and their parents with homemade puppets. Eventually she has these stories published by Frederick Warne (!).
Spanish words intermingle with the English words, which is fitting. 
The Author's Note section offers more interesting information about this amazing woman.
-Borrowed from the library.

The King's Fifth by Scott O'Dell

Award winner- John Newbery Honor
While he is in jail, Esteban de Sandoval tells his tale of traveling with Coronado and his army to explore the Southwest. He describes the power of greed and gold that takes a hold of him and the conquistadors. 
My twelve year old read this book to himself to support our study of the conquistadors.  He thought it was a good story.  He did not, however, appreciate how Esteban turns to evil actions.  Fortunately, he changes for the good by the end of the adventure.
-Borrowed from the library.

Maria Had a Little Llama by Angela Dominguez

A creative fractured nursery rhyme for Mary Had a Little Lamb.
The rhyme is written in English and Spanish.
Cute!
-Borrowed from the library.

The Last Fifth Grade of Emerson Elementary by Laura Shovan*

The school board has decided to close Emerson Elementary so a grocery store can be built on the lot.  For various reasons the eighteen students in Ms. Hill's 5th grade class are devastated that the school is closing.  To ease their sorrow she has them create poems throughout the year which they will place in a time capsule. 
The reader learns about each student via their poems throughout the four school quarters. 
The story does not end perfectly (very realistic), but the satisfaction arrives from the positive changes within the characters.
The teacher never makes her own appearance.  The reader learns bits of her life through the students' poems. 
In the back Ms. Shovan offers explanation for the different types of poems utilized and shares poetry activities.
Strategies: inferring, character traits
*Highly recommend.
Mentor text for poetry.
-Borrowed via Inter Library Loan.  My county does not own this book.

The Three Golden Oranges by Alma Flor Ada

Since we liked Ms. Ada folk tale letter books, I checked out this book by her, and we were not disappointed.
A mother wants her sons to marry so they go on a journey to break a spell.  If they follow instructions and break the spell, they each will have the wife of their dreams.  Two sons consistently pursue their own interests and do not have the discipline to follow the instructions. 
A well developed story that we enjoyed.
A retelling about Blancaflor, a mythical woman who is featured in many Hispanic stories.

Lucky Broken Girl by Ruth Behar

Award Winner-2018 Pura Belpre Award

Ruthie Mizrahi, a Jewish Cuban, has immigrated to the United States from Cuba to escape Castro's regime.  In just a couple of months, she is mastering English, is the queen of hopscotch, has her first pair of go-go boots, and rides in the family's new automobile.  Then she is in a car accident.  She awakens to find her self in a body cast.   Has her American dream life been lost?
I loved the different cultures that were represented in Queens, New York and their impact on Ruthie. 
The author based this story on her own life.
Point to discuss: Ruthie prays to her Jewish God, to Shiva and also to the spirit of Frida Kahlo.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Gift of the Poinsettia by Pat Mora and Charles Ramirez Berg illustrated by Daniel Lechon*

Another version of the how the poinsettia became its beautiful red color.  This retelling features a poor boy,  who participates in las posadas, worried about what gift he will give the Christ child.  Each night he comes home jubilant over the evenings activities and shares remaining items from the party with his sweet aunt.  Yet sadness reigns in his heart as ponders what gift he can bring the Christ night on the last night of las posadas.
My boys and I really appreciated how unselfish and kind he was to his aunt.
The story also had the Spanish retelling right below the English retelling.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Cuckoo/ Cucu by Lois Ehlert translated into Spanish by Gloria de Aragon Andujar

Beautiful cuckoo was a bit vain and a very lazy.  Her egocentric behavior caused the other birds to despise her.  Each year the birds worked together to gather seeds to grow another season.  Cuckoo, of course, never helped.  The birds' view of Cuckoo soon changed when they fall asleep and a fire broke out.  Cuckoo saved the seed from the fire and as a result, turned black, no longer beautiful.
Beautiful artwork based on Mexican crafts and folk art.
-Borrowed from the library.

Fandango Stew by David Davis illustrated by Ben Galraith*

Luis and his grandfather Slim arrived into the town Skinflint, weary and hungry while on horseback.  These cowboys are not welcomed in the town until they promise the town a taste of their delicious fandango stew.  In a large pot they place a fandango bean (a pinto bean) with some boiling water.  With some encouragement, the town members contribute a plethora of food to make an amazing stew.
Lots of cowboy/western lingo and some Spanish words sprinkled throughout the story.
Some children may not have the schema for the cowboy terminology or Spanish.
Strategies: T-T connections (to the original Stone Soup story), compare/contrast, figurative language-similes 
*Highly recommend.
Borrowed from the library.

Sofia Martinez-Picture Perfect by Jacqueline Jules illustrated by Kim Smith

Sofia wants to stand out from her two older sisters.  As she gazes at last year's school pictures, she realizes that they are all wearing blue and with their dark hair, brown eyes and a few freckles look very similar.
For this year's school pictures she devises a plan that will ensure that she is distinct from her sisters!
This book is a bilingual book-Spanish words are interspersed throughout it.  A glossary defining them is included at the back (but no pronunciation).
Short three chapters makes it perfect for a transitional reader and for a reader where Spanish may be spoken at home.
Strategy: connections

Hello, Ocean by Pam Munoz Ryan illustrated by Mark Astrella translated by Yanitzia Canetti*

I was at an used bookstore this weekend and spied this title-it is one I have been wanting to purchase.  This copy included both Spanish and English texts on each page.
A girl describes her day at the ocean using her five senses.
When my preschooler and I read the line "I'm here, with five of me, again!", we had fun trying to infer what that line meant.
What I love mostly about this book is its word choice and beautiful illustrations.
Strategies: inferring, ***a top pick for modeling/introducing visualizing
**Highly recommend.
http://www.amazon.com/Hello-Ocean-Pam-Munoz-Ryan/dp/0881069884

Cactus Soup by Eric A. Kimmel illustrated by Phil Huling*

A Mexican twist to stone soup!
Strategies/skills: predicting, connections (t-t), compare/contrast
*Highly recommend.
Spanish words are sprinkled throughout and are defined in the glossary in the back.

The Three Little Javelinas by Susan Lowell illustrated by Jim Harris*

The folktale based on the Three Little Pigs but it takes place in the desert and features javelinas and a coyote.  Spanish words sprinkled throughout the story.
Adorable illustrations.
Strategies/skills: predicting/confirming, making connections, venn diagram
*Highly recommend.

The Three Little Tamales by Eric A. Kimmel illustrated by Valeria Docampo

Three tamales do not want to be eaten so they escape and build three houses in the Texas countryside.  Spanish words are sprinkled throughout the story.  A glossary in the front of the book is very helpful!  Fun, catchy rhymes when the wolf comes to blow down their houses.