 Over 100,000 children have left Central America for the United States. The powerful poetry in this bilingual Spanish/English book describes the hardships and risks these children undertake and their hope for a new life in America. The first poems show the beauty of Central America. Next, they depict the problems, including gangs. The children face rough conditions with courage. The final poems take place in Los Angeles. The author was a refugee from El Salvador’s war in the 1980s. Beautiful surreal paintings complement the imagery of the poems. mjw |
| Title: Somos Como Las Nubes/We Are Like The Clouds Author: Jorge Argueta Illustrator: Alfonso Ruano Publisher: Groundwood Books, Toronto Copyright: 2016 Original Language: Spanish Translator: Elisa Amado ISBN: 978-1-55498-849-5 Hardcover pages: 36 Age range: 7-12 Genre: Picture Book/Poetry Book setting: Central America and U.S. Author’s ethnicity: Salvadoran and Pipil Nahua Indian Author’s residence: San Francisco Illustrator’s ethnicity: Spanish Illustrator’s residence: Madrid Awards: Author has won the International Latino Book Award. Illustrator has won the Jane Addams Children’s Book Award Subjects: Hispanic, Homelessness, Immigration, Latino, Poverty, Refugees, Stories in verse |
Somos Como Las Nubes/We Are Like The Clouds
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In this non-fiction picture book, readers will learn about a large variety of subjects that all encourage outdoor exploration. Throughout the book there are many questions for young scientists to ask followed by their answers. There are also experiments that readers can attempt. The book is mainly illustrated in black and white with pops of orange and blue but there are a few pages in the center of the book with full color illustrations of interesting animals. The back matter is filled with educational materials as well, such as a glossary, a timeline of important dates, and websites to learn more about the different topics. This book is sure to help young explorers expand their love of nature. amo
As World War II comes to a close in the winter of 1945, refugees flee East Prussia as the Soviet Union advances in the area. Thousands gather at the coast of the Baltic Sea in the hopes of gaining freedom and security by obtaining a ticket on one of the ships. One of these vessels is the Wilhelm Gustloff. Sepetys’ courageous novel sheds light on the greatest tragedy in maritime history and how the carnage resulting from warfare collides with the lives of innocents. Though readers can find the story heartbreaking at times, hope and life are ever present in this novel told by four teenagers from different countries. The honest prose gives voice to those incapable of sharing their story. ema
