 | Living beyond borders : growing up Mexican in America | |
| Price: $9.01 | ||
Summary:
In this mixed-media collection of short stories, personal essays, poetry, and comics, this celebrated group of authors share the borders they have crossed, the struggles they have pushed through, and the two cultures they continue to navigate.
| Editor: | Longoria, Margarita |
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: UG Reading Level: 5.50 Points: 8.0 Quiz: 517198 |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (07/01/21)
School Library Journal (+) (08/20/21)
Booklist (+) (00/08/21)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 08/01/2021 *Starred Review* This superlative collection of fiction, essays, poetry, and graphic vignettes is as varied as its contributors. The experiences portrayed in this anthology are deeply personal with sharp, heartfelt ruminations on the experience of living on the “cusp of two cultures,” as Longoria notes in the introduction. The pieces foray into the past and reflect on timeless themes like dignity, as in Guadalupe Ruiz-Flores’ “My Name Is Dolores” and Francisco X. Stork’s “Filiberto’s Final Visit,” and present a vivid picture of contemporary experiences, exemplified by David Bowles' magnificent “The Body by the River” and Rubén Degollado’s soaring “La Princesa Milady Dominguez.” The Texas–Rio Grande region is the primary setting, representing the “best of both worlds,” enlivened by Spanglish colloquialisms (chamba, carnal) and cultural superstitions. Justine Narro succinctly captures the push and pull of identity, “a place you have never stepped foot on / but call it your land” (in her poem “I Want to Go Home”), that will resonate with readers across cultures who are contemplating their own identities. Aida Salazar, Xavier Garza, Anna Meriano, and Angela Cervantes also contribute standout pieces to this memorable collection and worthy companion to other anthologized works such as Take the Mic: Fictional Stories of Everyday Resistance (2019) and Black Enough: Stories of Being Young & Black in America (2020). - Copyright 2021 Booklist.
School Library Journal - 08/01/2021 Gr 8 Up—Twenty Mexican American authors share what it is like to be a part of two worlds and not be accepted by either. Entries range from realistic fiction to fantasy and include poetry, personal narratives, and art—all of them reminding teens of the complexity of the Mexican American experience. Voices reach out from the pages of this anthology, tugging at readers and pushing them to see the difficulties and beauty of what it means to live as a Mexican American in the United States. These selections explore how it feels to be seen as "other," even while having been a part of this land for generations. The stories encourage Mexican American readers to listen to their inner voice and not let it be silenced. Each selection offers something distinct in this multifaceted work that doesn't prioritize the white gaze. It will make a lasting impression on all readers. VERDICT Highly recommended for school and public library collections.—Selenia Paz, Harris County P.L., Houston - Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
