My Name is Jorge
On Both Sides of the River (Poems in Spanish and English)
1 of 1 copy available
A NCTE Notable Children's Book in the Language Arts
The moving poems in this timely, bilingual book for young readers are written in both Spanish and English and are told from the point of view of Jorge, a young immigrant from Mexico who struggles to make a new life in a new country. Poignant and powerful, this award-winning title is a thought-provoking choice to share with children at home or in the classroom, and is an ideal book for children who are learning a new language or navigating between languages.
Jorge is trying to learn the ways of his new country on the other side of the river from his home in Mexico. He wants to fit in at school, but he doesn't want to forget his homeland. His family is still doing things as if they're in their old country, but Jorge is curious to find out everything he can about his new country. Learning a new language, getting a library card, taking tests, and making friends are challenges for Jorge. And just when Jorge finds a new friend in Tim, his life changes once again. Author Jane Medina and illustrator Fabricio Vanden Broeck bring Jorge to life in this timeless, accessible tale.
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Creators
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Publisher
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Release date
September 12, 2014 -
Formats
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Kindle Book
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OverDrive Read
- ISBN: 9781629792798
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EPUB ebook
- ISBN: 9781629792798
- File size: 5587 KB
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Languages
- English
- Spanish; Castilian
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Levels
- ATOS Level: 4.3
- Lexile® Measure: 530
- Interest Level: 4-8(MG)
- Text Difficulty: 1-3
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Reviews
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February 1, 2000
Gr 3-7-A collection of 27 insightful poems that limn the migrant experience from the point of view of a grade school child from Mexico. Jorge doesn't want to be called George. He thinks the name sounds strange. "What an ugly sound!/Like a sneeze!" His struggles to fit in result in a friendship with a boy named Tim; a tentative coming to terms with American society; and some degree of sadness when, upon his grandmother's death, his family must cross the river again. The poems, and the accurate English translations, are well laid out on the page and neatly complemented by primitive-looking scratchboard illustrations. While not as sprightly as Francisco X. Alarc-n's Laughing Tomatoes/Jitomates Risue-os (Children's Book Press) or as deeply moving and celebratory as Alma Flor Ada's Gathering the Sun (Lothrop, both 1997), this book does carry significant emotional poignancy. An excellent choice to pair with Francisco Jim nez's La Mariposa (Houghton, 1998), it depicts the sometimes painful experience of adjusting to a new language and a new culture.-Ann Welton, Terminal Park Elementary School, Auburn, WACopyright 2000 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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January 1, 2000
These truly bilingual poems are packed with poignant, tender moments in the life of a Mexican immigrant child trying to fit in without losing his identity. Jorge tells of his defeats and victories in school, of prejudice and making friends. The black-and-white drawings punctuate the poems in a spare manner that lets the poetry speak for itself. Finally--bilingual poems that aren't overflowing with happy colors and tortilla chips. Glos.(Copyright 2000 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)
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