Xochitl and the Flowers: Xóchitl, La Niña de Las Flores (Bilingual English/Spanish)

by Jorge Argueta (Author) Carl Angel (Illustrator)

Xochitl and the Flowers: Xóchitl, La Niña de Las Flores (Bilingual English/Spanish)
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

Miles away from their home in El Salvador, Xochitl (SOH-cheel) and her family make a new home in the United States, but nothing is the same. Miles away from their home in El Salvador, Xochitl (SOH-cheel) and her family make a new home in the United States, but nothing is the same. Xochitl mourns a lovely garden and her family's small flower business, all left behind. Selling flowers on the street soon provides more than income for the Flores family: they begin to make friends with local storeowners and neighbors. But it is not until the family decides to start a nursery in its backyard that Xochitl begins to learn the true value of community in their adopted country. Basing his narrative on real-life events, prize-winning poet Jorge Argueta has crafted a tender, poetic, and moving story about a family's determination to set down roots and about their child's blooming among friends and neighbors. Artist Carl Angel's authentic and brilliant artwork splendidly documents this quintessentially American immigration story.

A millas de distancia de su hogar en El Salvador, Xochitl (SOH-cheel) y su familia hacen un nuevo hogar en los Estados Unidos, pero nada es igual. A millas de distancia de su hogar en El Salvador, Xochitl (SOH-cheel) y su familia hacen un nuevo hogar en los Estados Unidos, pero nada es igual. Xochitl lamenta un hermoso jardín y el pequeño negocio de flores de su familia, todo dejado atrás. Vender flores en la calle pronto genera más que ingresos para la familia Flores: comienzan a hacerse amigos de los comerciantes y vecinos locales. Pero no es hasta que la familia decide iniciar una guardería en su patio trasero que Xochitl comienza a aprender el verdadero valor de la comunidad en su país de adopción. Basándose en hechos de la vida real, el laureado poeta Jorge Argueta ha elaborado una tierna, poética y conmovedora historia sobre la determinación de una familia por echar raíces y sobre el florecimiento de su hijo entre amigos y vecinos. La obra de arte auténtica y brillante del artista Carl Angel documenta espléndidamente esta historia de inmigración estadounidense por excelencia.

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Review quotes

This is a fine example of what a book with a bilingual text can and should be. — The Horn Book Guide

Based on a true story, Xochitl's tale is well written in both languages... Angel's acrylic, colored-pencil, and photo-collage artwork is vibrant and energetic, fleshed out by the bright colors and individual faces. — School Library Journal

Full of love for family and community, this bilingual story embodies the belief that positive action can overcome the negatives of circumstance. — Kirkus Reviews

there is a great deal of warmth in this tale of immigrants trying to create their American dream while keeping alive their own culture. — Bayviews

Intended for children ages eight to twelve, this book portrays the message of community in a lesson that can benefit people of all ages... It is a thoughtful story that will make readers reflect on their own contributions to their community. — ForeWord Magazine

Side-by-side bilingual text is a particularly suitable format for this timeless immigration story. Radiant chalk illustrations present each scene tastefully. Xochitl's story is a superb read-aloud and a necessary component of school libraries that serve immigrant children. Recommended for all bookstores and library collections. — Críticas

IPPY Award

Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780892392247
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Children's Book Press (CA)
Publication date
March 01, 2008
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV039250 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Emigration & Immigration
JUV011030 - Juvenile Fiction | People & Places | United States - Hispanic & Latino
Library of Congress categories
Immigrants
Spanish language materials
Bilingual
Gardening
San Francisco (Calif.)
Neighborliness
Salvadoran Americans

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