We’re giving away 5 copies of Journey of Dreams written by Marge Pellegrino–our featured novel for April’s book group meeting!! Check out the following from School Library Journal:
Grade 5–8—Fleeing their burned village in the Guatemalan highlands, 13-year-old Tomasa, her two brothers, and her storytelling father make their way first to the capital and then north to Mexico City and across another border to Arizona. They reunite with her mother and another brother, who are safe thanks to the Sanctuary Movement of the 1980s. Artistic Tomasa loves to sketch and to re-create her world in her weaving and embroidery. Through her narrative, readers can envision her family and village life as well as the sights of her journey from the mountains to the cities and north to America. This well-paced first-person account is full of suspenseful moments, but also psychologically convincing as the author shows Tomasa consciously burying her own emotions while her younger brother, Manuel, adopts another woman in place of the mother who left him behind to save her 14-year-old from the army. Although Tomasa’s journey takes a year, the pace moves along quickly. Still, there is room to recount Guatemalan folktales and show many details of village life as well as the refugee experience. A short background explanation, a glossary, and a map complete this harrowing but ultimately hopeful immigration story based on the author’s work with refugees.—Kathleen Isaacs, Children’s Literature Specialist, Pasadena, MD
It looks like another interesting read–a great addition to any personal or classroom library! To be entered in the giveaway, just comment on any post on the blog by March 14th. Everyone who comments between February 15th and March 14th will be entered in the drawing. If your name is chosen, we’ll email you ASAP about mailing the book to you.
Good luck!
Vamos a Leer 
Looks wonderful. I love multicultural chapter books!
I’m really looking forward to reading this one! We’ll post our review next month!
I teach a Middle School 6th grade Spanish Culture Class How can I win this book? Gracias Sofia
All you have to do to be entered in our drawing is comment on a post–so we’ve got you entered! Good luck!
As last week was spring break for so many of our teacher readers, we’re extending our giveaway until this Wednesday March 20th! I’ll announce the winners on Thursday March 21st. Good luck!
This books sounds interesting. I’d love to add it to my classroom library.
Great! We’ve got you entered in the giveaway!
I thought to get a head start and check this book out from the Public Library and was surprised to discover that there are no copies of Journey of Dreams in our usually robust Albuquerque Public Library catalogue ! I see purchase is an option and I hope to get a copy to read and share with my 5th graders. Hopeful immigrant stories are of strong interest to my students.
That’s disappointing that we don’t carry this title in Albuquerque! I might look in to how you request that the library system buy a book. I’m reading it now and enjoying it. I look forward to hearing what you think about it!
Guatemala comes up on my Spanish classes often. I meed to read this book!
Thanks for leaving a comment! This would be a great book to use to discuss Guatemala! We’ve got you entered in our giveaway now!