Going Home tells the story of a migrant family going back to Mexico to visit their homeland for Christmas. The children are nervous as they will miss their friends and are going to an unfamiliar place even though they were born there. In the end, they come to realize why their parents love Mexico so much. It is because it is their home, and they left what they loved in order for their children to get a better life.
This was a beautiful story with vibrant illustrations. Eve Bunting told the story in a way that the reader can feel the emotions of the characters, especially when the children come to realize why their parents left Mexico. It really tells the story of a family that left the land they knew and loved in order to come to America for opportunities. The illustrations are also beautiful with bold colors. The illustrations depict the scene well. I also liked how the background are pictures of different decorative arts and crafts that seem to originate from Mexico.
Title: Going Home
Author: Eve Bunting
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: 1996
ISBN: 9780064435093
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Eve Bunting tells the story of a family fleeing their country in hopes of entering America. The journey is difficult. They were crammed onto a small boat and faced many obstacles such as bad weather and thieves. However, they finally reach America and it happens to be Thanksgiving Day. The family gives thanks as they are now free and safe.
This is a heartfelt story of a family's journey to America. Bunting focuses on the the family's hardship and the idea of freedom, not the politics behind it. She tells it in a simple and though provoking way that I think will be appropriate for children. Additionally, the illustrations are beautiful and go well with the story. As they start the journey, the pages are filled with dark gloomy color. Towards the end when the family starts reaching refuge, the colors start to lighten up with colors like yellow and orange.
Title: How Many Days to America: A Thanksgiving Story
Author: Eve Bunting
Publisher: Clarion Books
Publication Date: 1988
ISBN: 9780899195216
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Mirette on the High Wire is set in a boarding house in 19th century Paris. Many traveling performers stay at this place where little Mirette works. She is particularly taken by one guest, who she spies walking the clothesline in the courtyard one day. Mirette begs him to teach her, but he refuses. She practices constantly until she is able to walk along the entire rope. Later on, she learns he is the great Bellini who has walked across treacherous heights. However, he has developed a fear for the tightrope. In the end, he tries to overcome it by performing, but he freezes. Mirette ends up saving him by walking across the rope, and they perform together.
This story is a great lesson in perseverance for children. It teaches them that they can overcome things even if they originally think they can't. Mirette practiced for hours until she succeeded and Bellini decided to perform even though he was scared. Additionally, this book has won a Caldecott Medal. I found the illustrations interesting and appealing.
Title: Mirette on the High Wire
Author: Emily Arnold McCully
Publisher: Putnam Berkley Group
Publication Date: 19997
ISBN: 9780606116282
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
I remember reading How Many Days to America when I was younger! I remember being able to understand exactly what was going on and how difficult it must have been...great book.
ReplyDeleteGoing how seems like a great book to incorporate in the classroom for ELL students because they can see how other students are like them as well.
ReplyDeleteGoing Home sounds like a book to introduce to students. I will definitely have to check our the pictures!
ReplyDeleteEve Bunting writes great historical fiction books for children! I reviewed another book by her, along with David Diaz, and I will be sure to read this one too.
ReplyDeleteI think Going Home would be a perfect book to read before reading the novel Return to Sender that one of our literature circle groups is reading. Both of them tackle different perspectives regarding immigration. A parent or teacher could read the picture book first to build background knowledge and then the novel later.
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