The Holy Tortilla and a Pot of Beans

The Holy Tortilla and a Pot of Beans

High School Grades

Written by: Carmen Tafolla

"Readers will be rewarded by the wisdom, wit, and hope in these 16 short stories. The selections range from the mystical appearance of the Virgin of Guadalupe in "The Holy Tortilla" to the haunting yet empowering story of a victim in "The Stuff to Scream With." Other stories include the importance and power of cultural heritage in "Inheritance"; a frisky housewife and doubting husband in "Federico and Elfiria"; and the strong sense of community in "Black Leather Lu." What all of these stories have in common is the optimism that comes from taking emotional risks and forming relationships with family, friends, and community. Most of them take place in San Antonio and are peppered with Spanish words and phrases, giving the stories an authentic feeling of place. A well-organized glossary is provided. This collection will be sought after by both teens and teachers looking for strong characters and an eloquent voice in Chicana literature."

School Library Journal Review

Online resources:
http://www.wingspress.com/book.cfm/91/The-Holy-Tortilla-and-a-Pot-of-Beans/Carmen-Tafolla/

Woman Hollering Creek and Other Stories

Woman Hollering Creek and Other Stories

Written by: Sandra Cisneros

Junior High and High School Grades

"In this collection of Mexican-American stories, Cisneros addresses the reader in a voice that is alternately buoyant, strong, funny, and sad. The brief vignettes of the opening piece, "My Lucy Friend Who Smells Like Corn," are tiles in a mosaic. Taken together, these vignettes give a vivid, colorful picture of life on the Texas/Mexico border. Family ties are strong: aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents are all present. The stories are often about the romantic dreams of young girls longing to escape stifling small-town life who discover that things are not much different on the other side of the border. Cisneros has an acute eye for the telling detail that reveals the secrets and the dreams of her characters. She writes with humor and love about people she knows intimately."

Library Journal Review

Web Resources:
http://www.enotes.com/woman-hollering

Baseball in April and Other Stories

Baseball in April and Other Stories - Available in English or Spanish

Written by: Gary Soto

Junior High and High School Grades

"In this collection author Gary Soto tells 11 short stories about everyday problems of growing up as a latino adolescent. Latinos in central California are the focus of the stories, but the events are typical of young teens anywhere in the United States. The main characters try out for Little League teams, take karate lessons, try to get the attention of the opposite sex, and are embarrassed by their grandparents' behavior. These day-to-day events reveal the sensitivity, humor, and vulnerability of today's young people. The descriptions and dialogue are used to advantage, helping to create and sustain the mood. A glossary of Spanish terms is included. Young readers should easily identify with the situations, emotions, and outcomes presented in these fine short stories."

School Library Journal Review

Web Resources:
http://litplans.com/titles/Baseball_in_April_and_Other_Stories_Gary_Soto.html