Return to Sender
TeachPeaceNow Book review by Maureen Gilroy
Author Julia Alvarez
Concepts/ Topics covered in book:
A tender story with a real bite, told by two twelve year olds, Tyler a Vermont farm boy and Mari, a Mexican born girl who have formed a friendship despite different cultures and genders.
When 12 year old Tyler Paquette’s dad is in a tractor accident, the family decides to hire undocumented Mexican workers to help run the farm. Mari and her family move into a trailer on the farm. She and her sisters go to school with Tyler but they live in fear of Homeland Security or la migra. The family has not heard from the mother in several months and they are worried that she has died or been captured by border crossing “coyotes”. While Tyler and Mari’s friendship grows through stargazing with Tyler’s telescope and family and school gatherings, Mari’s uncle is jailed and deported and coyotes contact her family with demands of money for the mother’s release.
Alvarez weaves in connections with undocumented workers today to early immigrants to the United States, Underground railroad and Native American experiences in history. This 2010 Pura Belpre prize winner is timely with immigration issues sure to be next on the docket and would be a fine choice as a whole class realistic fiction read aloud that mirrors current events.
Note: Spanish is skillfully blended into the text
Questions/Activities
Before reading:
What is an illegal immigrant?
Why do you think people want to come to the United States so badly they will break the law?
After reading:
How are the two sixth graders the same? How are they different?
Is it ever right to break the law?
How does being illegal put people in danger?
Do US farming methods encourage illegal immigration?
Theme: Addresses the issue of illegal immigration
Classification Novel
Acceptable grade levels Fourth grade and up
About the Author
Awards: Author lives in Vermont where the book is set. Book won the Pura Belpre prize, the Americas award, and is the Oprah's 2010 reading list.
Related reading:
A Day's Work by Eve Bunting
Blue Willow by Doris Gates
Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan
Posted 3/2011