América Is Her Name

by Luis J. Rodríguez

Book Overview

Set in the Pilsen barrio of Chicago, this children's picture book gives a heartwarming message of hope. The heroine, Am rica, is a primary school student who is unhappy in school until a poet visits the class and inspires the students to express themselves creatively-in Spanish or English. Am rica Is Her Name emphasizes the power of individual creativity in overcoming a difficult environment and establishing self-worth and identity through the young girl Am rica's desire and determination to be a writer. This story deals realistically with the problems in urban neighborhoods and has an upbeat theme: you can succeed in spite of the odds against you. Carlos V zquez's inspired four-color illustrations give a vivid sense of the barrio, as well as the beauty and strength of the young girl Am rica.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1880684403
• ISBN13: 9781880684405
• Release Date: April 1998
• Publisher: Curbstone Press
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 8.3" x 10.3"
• Age Range: 6 to 9 years
• Grade Range: Grades 1 to 4

Customer Reviews

América is Her Name

América is Her Name is a heartfelt, realistic story of a Mixteca Indian girl who regains her lost voice through writing poetry. What will resonate with children is América's decision not to fall victim to the poverty, hopelessness, and violence that surrounds her in the Pilsen barrio of Chicago. Instead, children will be encouraged by América's choice to heed Mr. Aponte's teachings: "When you use words to share your feelings with somebody else, you are a poet, and poets belong to the world." Children will likewise be empowered by Luis Rodríguez's overall message that permeates throughout the text-that every voice counts. When a child is told that their words and feelings count, it is akin to opening up their world. Just as América discovers that the heart of a poet may lie beneath such social barriers as culture, race, and class; children reading her story will also see that they, too, can follow América's example and find their own poetic voice that will transcend the obstacles of life. As América begins to value the beauty of her own poetry and her mother recalls the strength of their proud heritage in her native language, the child reader will grasp that the heart of a poet is within everyone, if only we have the courage to share our words, our feelings, and our hearts, with the world.

MORE REVIEW QUOTES

"What really sets La Llaman América/América is Her Name apart is that the story manages to address perplexing realities with neither cynicism nor an excess of earnestness." --Kathy O'Connell, Hartford Advocate"This heartening book will touch readers and writers of all ages and backgrounds and belongs in every school and public library." --Frances Ann Day, MultiCultural Review"This story deals realistically with the problems in urban neighborhoods and has an upbeat theme: you can succeed in spite of the odds against you. Carlos Vesquez's inspired 4-color illustrations give a vivid sense of the barrio, as well as the beauty and strenght of the young girl América." --Hispanic Outlook"This is a story for librarians, teachers and parents as well as for children ages 6 and up because it helps us understand the newcomer's search for a place of belonging. Touching and true." --Feminist Bookstore News