From: Steven Engelfried <sengelfried>
Date: Tue, 26 Feb 2002 10:04:29 -0800

I haven't made it to "Iguanas in the Snow" yet, but the other two Belpre Narrative books are excellent. Though it's been a while since I read it, "Esperanza" was very powerful. At the beginning I had a sense that I knew just where this book was going. Esperanza's perfect life, the unexpected tragedy, the villainous uncle, all seemed almost too melodramatic and contrived. But we quickly got to know Esperanza and she was way more interesting than the stock heroine I was expecting. The general presentation of migrant life was nicely done and educational, but it was the particulars of her life and the distinct personalities of the other characters that brought me into the book. Though the choice is hard, I'd rate "Breaking Through" even a little bit higher. There are times when it seems like Jimenez is just stringing together random reminiscences, then they unexpectedly come together. There's a simple directness to his writing that becomes very powerful as you get into his world. I like the way that seemingly ordinary acts, like learning to dance with his brother, or taking on that office cleaning job, subtly reveal the determination and optimism of a character who has a lot going against him. We completely understand the momentous importance of that college acceptance because we get to know him and his world so well in the events that lead up to it. Both
"Esperanza Rising" and "Breaking Through" obviously "portray, affirm, and celebrate the Latino cultural experience" very well, but I think they also celebrate particular adolescent experiences that resonate in many ways with all kinds of readers.

Steven Engelfried, Children's Division Librarian Beaverton City Library 12375 SW 5th Street Beaverton, OR 97005 503R6%99 sengelfried at ci.beaverton.or.us
Received on Tue 26 Feb 2002 12:04:29 PM CST