My Diary From Here to There

BOOK ENTRY FORMAT FOR GENRE PROJECT


Information for students
Author: Amada Irma Perez Title: My Diary From Here to There
Book Genre: Realistic Publishing Info: Children’s Book Press, 31 pp.

Summary: One night, young Amada overhears her parents whisper of moving from Mexico to the other side—to Los Angeles, where greater opportunity awaits. As she and her family make their journey north, Amada records her fears, hopes, and dreams for their lives in the United States in her diary. How can she leave her best friend behind? What if she can't learn English? What if her family never returns to Mexico? From Juárez to Mexicali to Tijuana to Los Angeles, Amada learns that with her family's love and her belief in herself, she can make any journey and weather any change—here, there, anywhere.


Personal rating: ****

Rationale: believable characters, well-written, adventurous, beautiful illustrations


Information for teachers
Reading level: 3.4 Interest level: k-6th

Thematic Areas: friendship, family, courage, adventurous, bravery, love

Content Areas: language arts, culture

Potential Problems or Difficulties: N/A

Possible use in classroom: teacher can read to class when talking about the Hispanic culture. Have students share what they keep in their diary or journal if they have one or have students draw and write what they would like to share if they were to write in their diary that day.