WWW: De Colores – The Raza Experience

Logo from the De Colores blog can be found at: http://decoloresreviews.blogspot.com

The libraries are loaded with children’s books that address Latino culture. Some of these books provide multifaceted, culturally honest insight into the histories and experiences of Latino people. Many do not. It’s fair to say that we can easily fill a room with “multicultural” books that are superficial or even plainly dishonest.

Luckily, De Colores: “The Raza Experience in Books for Children” has recently hit the blogosphere, reviewing and critiquing “children’s and young adult books about Raza peoples throughout the Diaspora.” The blog’s contributors–a dream team of award-winning authors, educators, community activists, and artists–have already reviewed dozens of books, creating an essential resource for parents, teachers, and librarians who are interested in moving beyond token treatment of heroes and holidays. 

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En la Clase: Resources for teaching about the Maya

As you may already know, Journey of Dreams is our featured young adult book for the month of April.  You can read our book review here or a brief description of the book here.

Photograph of Maya woman weaving in Chiapas, Mexico, provided courtesy of Beth Dove, © 2009.

The book revolves around the story of a Mayan family from the highlands of Guatemala. It touches on so many different topics that there are a number of ways to integrate it into our classrooms (which I discuss in the book review).  One of the most important things the book offers though, is a glimpse into the culture and worldview of the Maya.  Cultural competency is a word we hear being used more and more frequently in conversations about standards and the purpose of educational curriculum. 

Book Review: Journey of Dreams

Thanks so much to all of our wonderful book group members who came out last night to discuss the book! We all agreed, this is a great story! I’ve shared my own thoughts about the book below.

Journey of Dreams
Written by Marge Pellegrino
Published by Frances Lincoln, 2009
ISBN:   9781847800619
Ages: 11 and up

Description (from Goodreads):

For the peaceful highlanders of Guatemala, life has become a nightmare. Helicopters slash like machetes through the once-quiet air. Soldiers patrol the streets, hunting down suspected guerillas. Villagers mysteriously disappear and children are recruited as soldiers. Tomasa’s family is growing increasingly desperate, especially after Mama goes into hiding with Tomasa’s oldest brother. Finally, after their house is razed to the ground and the villagers massacred, Tomasa, Manuelito, and baby Maria set off with Papa on a perilous journey to find Mama and Carlos, only to discover that where one journey ends, another begins.

Giveaway Winners!! Journey of Dreams by Marge Pellegrino

Thanks so much to all of you who have visited our blog and shared your thoughts with us. It’s wonderful to have you all stopping by.  We hope you’ll continue!! This month’s five lucky winners are. . . . Florence, Bamauthor, Sofia, Rita, and Martha! I’ll be emailing you to find out where you would like us to ship the book, so be on the lookout for that!

Congratulations! We hope you enjoy the book! I’m reading it now and loving it!

Our next give away starts today and runs through April 21st!! This time we’re giving away 5 copies of Under the Mesquite written by Guadalupe Garcia McCall.  Just comment on any post between now and April 21st and you’re automatically entered in the drawing!

–Katrina

Our Next Good Read. . .Journey of Dreams

Join us April 1st at Bookworks from 5:00-7:00 pm to discuss our next book.  We are reading Journey of Dreams by Marge Pellegrino.

Here’s a sneak peek into the book:

For the peaceful highlanders of Guatemala, life has become a nightmare. Helicopters slash like machetes through the once-quiet air. Soldiers patrol the streets, hunting down suspected guerillas. Villagers mysteriously disappear and children are recruited as soldiers.

Book Giveaway!! Journey of Dreams

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:

Giveaway Winners!! Glorytown: One boy’s struggle under Castro

Thanks so much to all of you who have visited our blog and shared your thoughts with us. It’s wonderful to have you all stopping by.  We hope you’ll continue!! This month’s five lucky winners are. . . . Travels with Mary, the Pragmatic Mom, Redpeffer, Even in Australia, and mlseward! I’ll be emailing you to find out where you would like us to ship the book, so be on the lookout for that!