Dancing Home - Alma Flor Ada, Gabriel Zubizarreta

Dancing Home by Alma Flor Ada and Gabriel Zubizarreta
Lupe moves from Mexico to United States to live with family. Lupe will be in the same grade, (fifth) as her cousin Margarita who goes by Margie. The story alternates between the cousins. Margie does everything she can to fit in and not be teased for being Mexican. Lupe is trying very hard to learn English and adjust to life in the United States.

Lupe and Margie's voices blend very well together making for smooth transitions. At one point Margie is reading How Tia Lola Came to (Visit) Stay for class, which I thought was a very sweet nod to Julia Alvarez. I loved the beginning it says so much as to why Margie does everything she can to distance herself from her Mexican roots.

"Margie felt nervous having to wait outside the principal's office. She kept her eyes fixed on the huge map that covered the entire wall. Mrs. Donaldson seemed to be a plesant woman, but Margie had never had to address the principal all by herself before. The map's colors were vivid and bold showing Canada, the United States, and part of Mexico. Alaska and the rest of the United States were a strong green; Canada was a bright yellow. The reminder of the map, however, showed only a small part of Mexico in a drab sandlike color Margie could not name. "

The author created two realistic characters in Lupe and Margie. They both made Dancing Home a very nice story and a pleasure to read.

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The Last Summer of the Death Warriors - Francisco X. Stork

The Last Summer Of The Death Warriors by Francisco Stork

Stork's writing is straight forward, no tricks needed, beautiful. He's created three dimensional characters that engage in very realistic dialogue. While I read The Last Summer of the The Death Warriors, I recognized Stork's style and skill. Though, its when I looked back on the story that I truly appreciated what Stork did.

Ever since his father died, 17 yr old Pancho Sanchez, has been responsible for his sister, Rosa. Pancho is three years younger but Rosa has the mind of a child. When Rosa is found dead in a motel room, Poncho feels responsible and believes she was murdered. The police say Rosa died of natural causes.

With no family, Pancho's placed in an orphanage. Pancho wants to leave to find and kill his sister's killer. At the orphanage, Pancho meets Daniel Quentin, (DQ) who is dying of brain cancer. DQ believes their lives have crossed for a reason. Pancho doesn't know what to make of DQ.

Pancho agrees to go along with DQ, to another state, where he'll undergo experimental treatment. Pancho wants to use the time away from the orphanage to find his sister's killer. This isn't a mystery. Its a story about choices, decisions, life and death. DQ is writing a Death Warriors Manifesto, a guide to living out your last days to the fullest. DQ shares it with Pancho. As their journey continues, DQ and Pancho will share many things close to their hearts. Stork's words should be fully processed. This is not a story to be rushed, there is much to take away from it.

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A very nice NYT review