pick“Claudia Guadalupe Martínez‘s gentle, poetic text offers just enough language to anchor the reader emotionally and historically within the journey. By telling the story through a child‘s voice, she brings a subtle intimacy to a moment of historical trauma that turns the political into something deeply personal.”
Read the full review here: https://wowlit.org/on-line-publications/review/xviii-1/10/
pickA quiet yet engrossing tale of female friendships. Three Mexican girls have in common their love of embroidery. As Mila plans a memorial service for one of them, she looks back on their lives, especially how they began to grow apart during a trip to Europe in their late teens. #Translation by Christina MacSweeney #LGBTQ
“Citlali was a very selective and slow reader, managing only one chapter at a time—she hated books without chapters.”
[Note: this novel isn‘t divided into chapters. Instead, long and short sections are separated with images of a threaded needle.]
Echinoderms—starfish—can regenerate lost arms, an ability not shared by mammals. To some extent, but by no means totally, we have compensated for this lack with needles and thread.
"One of the very first bullets comes in through the open window above the toilet where Luca is Standing "
#FirstLineFridays
pickThe harsh reasons and
experiences of an immigrant's journey from Mexico to the United States. 5 ⭐
“José drew skulls that were doing all sorts of things. They were eating, dancing, and riding bicycles. They were called calaveras.”
I would use Funny Bones in my classroom to teach students about art, culture, and history together. It‘s a great way to explore Día de los Muertos traditions and how art can tell stories or share messages. Students could create their own calavera drawings inspired by the book or write about what their art represents, connecting creativity with cultural understanding.
pickIn Funny Bones by Duncan Tonatiuh, the information is presented clearly and directly through both text and illustration. The author‘s mix of biography and cultural history makes it easy for readers especially children to understand how José Guadalupe Posada created his famous calaveras. The style is engaging, and the vivid, folk-art-inspired illustrations bring the story to life in an interesting and memorable way.
