Product Description
A collection of poems brings to life themes of growing up, family, friendship, and first love and are drawn from the author's background as a Mexican-American in the San Joaquin Valley. Reprint. H. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

the poetry of eveyday life
By the author of short stories "Mother and Daughter" and "The Broken Chain," these twenty-three poems recall Soto's years growing up in Fresno, CA and later as a father. His memories mix with metaphors everyone can relate to as he recalls his love of baseball, shyly flirting in the library, and being too broke to treat his date to a candy bar.He remembers trying to earn money to go to the movies by selling oranges door to door, accompanied by a helpful dog. The poems are written in free verse, and the poet introduces each one with a note explaining the circumstances that inspired him to write it. In the Foreword and Question and Answer section at the end, Soto gives kind and helpful advice to those interested in writing their own poems.
This a very accessible and thin volume of poetry with wide appeal.
... Read more

Product Description
Marisol Luna is a ten-year-old girl who loves to dance. Ballet folklórico (Mexican folkdance) is her favorite type of dance, but she also does jazz, ballet, and a little tap! She is very disappointed when her parents decide to move to the Chicago suburbs--away from their close-knit neighborhood and Marisol's school and dance classes. But Marisol realizes that no matter where she is, it is her passion to dance that will help her persevere in the midst of change. Marisol's story will appeal to all readers-especially those who love dance. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Great story
I ordered this book for my Goddaughter and read it before giving it to her.I thought it was a nice story.Living in a largely Latino area of Los Angeles it was easy to relate to Marisol and the images and words used in the book as well as Folkorico which my Goddaughters are into.

My 9year old daughter & I BOTH loved this book!
My daughter does NOT like to read. However, she does LOVE to dance! We bought the book with the doll. She didn't pick up the book until she had to do a report for school. I had already read the book one day, and encouraged her to read it for her report. She gave in, because she really had to choice but to read something for her report. Well, once she picked it up, she did not want to put it down!!! It was a book she could relate to, since she and the main character both love to dance. It even prompted her to look up Ballet Folklorico on the computer, since that is Marisol's favorite kind of dance. I only wish this was a series, like the other books from American Girl.

Not very good
This was not too good of a book . I thought it was very very boring . And the ending is terrible . But if really want to buy it I think the age range should be 8-11 . If you do buy this book I hope you have more fun reading it then I did .
P.S You might want to try the book ''lindsy'' by the brand name americangirl instead .

Pleasant book for young girls
I am an adult who bought the new American Girl doll, Marisol.Since the book comes with the doll, I thought I'd read it just for fun.I thought it was a pleasant, well-written book.I think it would especially appeal to girls ages 8-12 who like to dance.But I think this is also a good book for any child who is forced to move from the home and neighborhood they love and is having a hard time adjusting.Marisol is a good kid (possibly unrealistically so) who handles her family's move without much whining or complaining to her parents.She soon learns that the move may not be all bad.The new neighborhood is definitely quieter, and right next door is a girl in her exact grade who also likes to dance.The only real worry is that there is no dance studio in her new town, Des Plaines, IL, and Marisol lives to dance.When Marisol meets her soon-to-be ex-upstairs neighbor's daughter, a dance teacher, she tries to convince her to move to Des Plaines to open a dance studio.Marisol is a very persistent girl who doesn't take 'no' for an answer.I like the fact that the book has many Spanish words sprinkled throughout, and there's a small glossary in the back so readers can look up those words.The book has a slightly educational feel to it, but kids won't even notice it.They'll just enjoy the story. ... Read more

Product Description
"Whether we are Jews or Catholic Chicanas, grew up on a corn farm or the oil-dark lot of a radiator shop in East Los Angeles, we come of age in the same human ways," writes Gary Soto in his forward to Coming of Age in America: A Multicultural Anthology, edited by Mary Frosch. A collection of works by writers from fifteen different backgrounds, Coming of Age in America traverses the universal territory we all experience as we grow up, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or class, and reminds us that, ultimately, our common experiences are more binding than our differences are divisive. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

This truly is a worthwhile purchase.
This book encompasses a a variety of short attention-grabbing and motivating short coming of age stories.The book is slpit up into 4 categories each of which contain about 4-5 stories.Those include "Fitting In" , "Family Matters", "Affairs of The Heart", and "Crisis."My personal favorite has to be A Bag of Oranges.It is worth it just to buy the book for that story!The book not only includes this but 20 more coming of age short stories.This book really stands out from the rest!Armed with this knowledge, I would say making the decision to buy this book is a no-brainer.Buy the book and an extra copy to give to a friend!That friend will thank you! ... Read more

Product Description
Author Bio, Chapter Summaries, Discussion Questions, Vocabulary Builders, Assessment Strategies, Reproducibles, Cross-Curricular Activities for Students of all learning styles ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

summer on wheels
Have you ever gone on a bike trip and had fun? Well, this book is so boring you will fall asleep . because it has no excitement ,and has no point to it . A good has a problem, a solution and a climax and this book didn'tI don't recommend this book for any age or any body that dosen't speak spanlish because this book has spanlish word.So don't read this book.

Summer on Wheels
Two boys hector and mando go on a bike ride. they get to film a commercialand they get attacked by a gang.
My favorite parts are when they are filming a commercial and when they are in the museum preteanding to be statues.
I recommend this book for people who speak spanish and English because it has both languages.
This bookis a very good book for bike riders who speak Spanish and English.

Summer on Wheels
Summer on Wheels
By:Gary Soto

Can you imagine going on a bike trip with no adults to bother you?Well that's exactly what Hector and Mando did when they go on their bike trip in "Summer on Wheels".

Hector and Mando don't like to play a lot of games, but in a funny part, their friend Sarah beats them in a lot of games. I won't tell you the ending, but if you like silly and cool stories you'll like this book.

I would recommend this book to people who enjoy Hispanic jokes because there are a lot of Hispanic jokes.

Summer on Wheels by: Gary soto
can you imagine going on a bike trip, surfing, or being attacked by a gang? How about going to a paintball war or turning your boring but smart cousin into a cool kid?Well; get ready to do all of thatin Hector and Mando's bike trip in Summer on Wheels.

I recommend this book to everyone but this book has some spanish words in it, but in the back of the book.

summer on weels
have you ever been told a scary story in a cemetery? Well if you do then, you are going to like this book because Hector and Mando go on a bike trip and they find lots of adventures.

I liked the paintball war because Sarah is a girl and she made gthe last shot. They won the game because of sarah.

I recommend this book to anyone who likes paintball or who speaks spanish and understands it because it's about kids that speak spanish.

Read the book because it's got a lot of adventure
... Read more

Product Description
Teresa was so excited when her grandpa gave her a fantastic littlecarrito for her birthday. Everyone admired it when she rode down thesidewalk and it won Best Car at the playground hands down. Over time,though, she stops taking care of it and it practically falls apart. But whenit helps her escape from a neighborhood dog, she is reminded of howmuch she loves it. And her grandpa is just the person to help her fix itup. After all, he’s old, too, but he’s still fun to play with.

A funny, touching story with zippy illustrations, this is a painless wayto show kids that it’s important to take care of the things (and people)you love. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

my kids love this little book about a little car
Mi Carrito is a hilarious story about a little girl receiving a kid-size "lowrider" pedal car from her grandpa. My kids cheered when she was in the competition, and clucked their tongues when she didn't take care of the car. There's real tension when she is chased by the dog and when she knows grandpa will see the dilapidated state of her carrito. As you can tell, young readers will really identify with this young protaganist and her adventures.

Teaching personal responsibility and respect
This book first caught my eye at the local library. I have a MFA in creative writing and have been a big fan of Gary Soto for some time after having read some of his short stories during my studies.In addition, my three year old's sitter is bilingual and is teaching my daughter Spanish.I'm always looking for books that introduce Spanish words.We checked out the book, then checked it out again, then checked it out again, until I finally bought a copy for my daughter.At first, I was a bit concered about the whole "lowrider" culture, afraid, I guess of what I don't know.Prejudiced by the stereotypes of lowriders being part of gang culture and the like, I almost passed up this really great book.

The story is multilayered and beautiful, spanning age differences as protrayed by Pumpkin, the baby sister to Theresa who is too old to hang with Pumpkin, yet too young to be responsible to the grandfather (Abulito Benito) who is still young enough to run down the street from and dog and young enough to look good when he is fixed up.When you consider the car as a metaphor for the grandfather, the book takes on an even greater meaning.

This is a fantastic book that helps introduce a different culture to your child while teaching her responsibility.The illustrations are great, the writing is fantastic, and the morals are timeless.Don't let this book get by you because of your prejudices toward or against lowriding culture.

Great Multicultural Addition to Any Young Person's Library
This little book is full of wonderful illustrations and a story that includes a gentle lesson in taking care of the things and people most valuable to us.The most valuable things in life involve a little work and a lot of care.The book features a lowrider pedal car, and this adds a layer of interest to an already lovely read.No interest in vehicles is necessary to enjoy the book, but for those children who do have a special interest in cars and model cars, this book is a surefire winner. ... Read more

Product Description
With a delightful mixture of laughter and love, fatalism and faith, the proverbs of Mexico capture the wisdom, spirit, and experience of a complex and colorful country. Over 100 authentic sayings are presented in this charming bilingual assortment, illustrated with dramatic full-color artwork. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Folk wisdom of Mexico.
I was very disappointed in this book. The Dichos have been sanitized and there are numerous mis-translations. Dichos as a rule are rather earthy.

"The Mexican proverb is the verbal property of common people."


In what is described as "a delightful mixture of laughter and love, fatalism and fate", the author has gathered priceless Mexican proverbs in this small book, capturing "the wisdom, spirit and vibrancy that is Mexico". A proverb may inform, advise or make a point; it is amusing and wise; it is by turns soothing and judgmental: "It is the unwritten literature and philosophy of the poor, particularly rural folk."

Passed from generation to generation, these proverbs have European roots, but regional applications in common usage, distilled cultural truths that provide the wisdom of centuries. In a bilingual format, the reader can compare the English and the Spanish, the pages illustrated with bright prints that feature the folk art style of Mexico, frogs on a lily pad, a pig, a great sleeping bull, a man grappling with the Grim Reaper on the Day of the Dead.

The messages are simple, yet profound: "Flies don't enter a closed mouth; One needn't study to become a fool; The brave one lives as long as the coward lets him; Stupidity closes the door of kindness; In the matter of pigs, all is money, and in the matter of money, all are pigs; Though the cage be made of gold, it is still a prison." Both charming and thought-provoking, this collection is beautifully rendered, balanced by the clever illustrations, each page contributing yet another proverb, small but powerful reminders of thoughts, actions, and consequences. Luan Gaines/ 2006.

Small in size large in wisdom
This is a concise choice collection of dichos or sayings that are like folk proverbs. Known a dichos, these are various small sayings that carry a lot of wisdom in their delivery. Reflective of Mexican cultural values, the dichos are expressive manipulations of language, creative rhythms and reasons for life and its complexities. One can hardly turn a page without laughing or at times scratching your head in the simplicity and yet profound sayings. Given to me as a gift recently, this book is a fun read. My only complaint is I wish it were longer and had more dichos. It is geared for a younger reader in my estimation but the universal themes have the wisdom of an ageless appeal. The drawing or paintings are numerous and very colorful and attractive further revealing the dichos. Based in the oral tradition of tales, the dichos cover a variety of subjects including love, money and politics amongst others, offering insights and wisdom for the reader. A simple read , it can be shared or read alone but regardless can be read in the time span of your average tv show. Now there's a concept, read something insightful intead of watching a not so funny sitcom!! The forward is written by noted writer and poet Gary Soto and the translations are loose, not literal. The idea is to catch some of the flavor of the original. A collection of dichos always has one you might not have possibly heard. A bilingual edition, my favorite newest dicho discovery is "La amistad sincera es uns alma repartida en dos cuerpos/True friendship is one soul shared by two bodies", just beautiful and quite fitting if you know what I mean.Very enjoyable andworth the small price every child, young or old can enjoy the flavor of old Mexico in our modern times. Recommended for teachers, parents and all who enjoy sayings that are short and insightful glimpses into human nature. ... Read more

Product Description
Chato—the coolest cat in the barrio—loves to party. So when he learns that Novio Boy has never had a birthday party, Chato decides to throw him a surprise pachanga. He gets right to work—inviting everyone in the neighborhood, cooking up a feast, arranging for music and a piñata, and even ordering a special cake. Chato’s sure that he’s thought of everything. But when it comes time for the party, he realizes that he forgot the most important thing of all—Novio Boy! With a lively text featuring Spanish words throughout, and bright, bold artwork, this sequel to Chato’s Kitchen is truly a cause for celebration.Amazon.com Review
Chato has been a party animal since he was a kitten. So when he discovers that his best friend Novio Boy has never had a birthday party (being from the pound, he never even knew his mami), this cool cat from the barrio decides it's time to change all that. He calls his friend Sharkie, a DJ.

"Homecat," Chato meowed. "You awake?"
"I am now, dude," Sharkie said.
"It's Novio Boy's birthday tomorrow," said Chato. "I want you to come and spin some oldies but goodies."

As in the award-winning Chato's Kitchen, Susan Guevara's modish paintings of these barrio beasts beg to be pored over, while Gary Soto's barrio-speak screams out to be read aloud. A brief glossary provides English meanings to the Spanish words scattered throughout. (Ages 5 to 9) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Not the best read
Chato is the coolest cat in el barrio (which is an english word for the city).Chato and
his friends throw a birthday party for the friend Chorizo. Chato's best friend, Novio Boy
goes to the party but does not have any fun. Novio Boy tells Chato that he his from the pound
and he never got to know who is mom was, or never even had a birthday party. So Chato decides
to throw his best friend a birthday party. I love how this book uses Spanish words and slang to
add more spice to it. If you don't understand what a certain word means, don't worry because
there is a glossary for the meaning! The illustrations in this book are very eye-catching and vibrant.
Susan Guevara does a great job at making the illustrations very colorful for the kids to enjoy.
You can tell from the illustrations that the book has a Mexican-American culture feel to it.
The message in this book is very simple: being generous and doing nice things for your friends.
This book would be an excellent book to introduce spanish words to the younger crowd. You can teach
them about the Mexican-American culture and how each culture is different. I would not consider
this book to teach a lesson though. The illustrations to me, caught my attenton more than the story
line did.

Chato and Novio Boy rock!
Kids and adults will love this book!! The illustrations and fun language depict an authentic Chicano/a experience.

Hello kitty
Chato's back.Having learned his lesson from his encounter with the mice in "Chato's Kitchen" this kitty cat is now at peace with every animal he encounters.So much so, in fact, that he is quite the partier.While attending the birthday celebration of the dog Chorizo, Chato discovers a sad fact about his buddy Novio Boy.Originally from the pound, Novio Boy never knew his mother and never had an official birthday.That's all the info Chato needs as an excuse to throw for Novio Boy one of the biggest birthday celebrations ever.He hires a dj, buys tons of food and presents, even purchases a gigantic blow-up dog to fight with.As the guests arrive, however, one fact remains alarmingly clear.Novio Boy was never invited to his own party!After some scrambling and a mistaken death everything turns out for the best and Novio Boy has one of the best pachangas a cat could hope for.

If you've never read a book that combines the effortless writing style of Gary Soto with the eye-popping grandeur of Susan Guevara, you're in for a treat.Like "Chato's Kitchen" this book provides a useful Spanish/English glossary for quick referencing.Spanish words pop up in appropriate places, never sounding forced or out of sync with the storyline.But illustrator Guevara has truly outdone herself here.In the previous Chato book the crazy energy and color of life was remarkable but not overwhelming.Here, on the other hand, Guevara's pulled out all the stops.From the guardian angel-like imagery of Novio Boy's mother that flies, unseen, from picture to picture, to Chorizo's beret and the repetitive phrase (which I loved ) "We are not a minority" that appears in a couple scenes in the background, this book has it all.Best of all is the moment in which each character (thinking Novio Boy dead) stands and thinks of what they liked best about him.As they do, Novio Boy appears on each person's head, acting out their compliments.Guevara also has a sense of movement that allows each character to slouch, run, relax, or dance in a natural free flowing way.It's a talent most illustrators pray they'll attain in their lifetimes.

Some people might be put off by the energy and dynamics in this book.If so, I am truly sorry.My advice would be to flip through this book to make sure you're up to the challenge of reading it to your kids.After all, if your reading style is flat and colorless, this is not the book to put your children to bed with.You are, in fact, unworthy of the text.If instead, however, you have a sense of style and flair that can match this eloquent book, definitely seek it out.Honestly, you've never seen anything like this before.

Party on, Chato!
"Chato and the Party Animals" is a fun children's book by Gary Soto. The story is superbly complemented by Susan Guevara's illustrations. The book opens with a Spanish-English glossary. The text is in English, with Spanish words from the glossary ("comida," "el barrio," etc.) blended in.

Chato is a cat -- described as a "party animal since he was a kitten." But he's also a caring cat, and the story's plot is set into motion when Chato comes up with an idea to cheer up Novio Boy, a friend of his who is feeling sad.

"Chato" is really hilarious. In addition to the Spanish words, Soto spices up the dialogue by having the cats call each other "dude" and "Homecat." The story involves a nice mix of silliness and warmth, and ultimately celebrates friendship. Guevara's outrageous, colorful pictures are full of energy and packed with surreal details. Definitely something out of the ordinary, and something special.

Great Use of Language!
This book is great on so many levels.I read it with students I tutor and they requested it again and again.At the end of the year I gave them each a copy as a gift.Both of them opened it and got wide-eyed as they saw what it was!One of them said, "This is my favorite book ever!"This was wonderful to hear from a kid who started out so reluctant to read.The story is great on so many levels; there is a message of friendship that is not sappy, but very sincere.Soto also skillfully weaves in the culture of the barrio with his use of Spanish and Mexican themes.What a lovely story. ... Read more

Product Description
Maria tries on her mother's wedding ring while helping make tamales for a Christmas family get-together. Panic ensues when hours later, she realizes the ring is missing. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Fine cause & effect lesson(s) children's book
Que Monton de Tamales (Too Many Tamales)
Story is set expertly in Christmas / winter environment.Drawings of characters make them accessible to impressionable 6 to 9 year olds.Both setting and main character's initial behaviors provide plausible, comprehensible justification for the main character's subsequent behavior.Author is wonderfully descriptive.Your children will SEE the precious ring rising and dipping back into the tamale dough, mirroring the blinking holiday lights spectacle that opens the book.
Subsequent events are all ones that your child can identify with as probable under the anxious circumstances that ensue when main character carries the mother-imitation too far.
A grabber for children of all ages, colors, faiths.Nice job Mr. Soto!
PS: when ordering the spanish version, check all product descriptions carefully to avoid getting the english version, and vice-ah versa
... Read more

Product Description
In this unique collection of short stories, the small events of daily life reveal big themes love and friendship, youth and growing up, success and failure. Calling on his own experiences of growing up in California's Central Valley, poet Gary Soto brings to life the joys and pains of young people everywhere. The smart, tough, vulnerable kids in these stories are Latino, but their dreams and desires belong to all of us. ... Read more

Product Description
Chato is so happy to see that a family of mice has moved into the area, he decides to invite them over for dinner, but the mice know he has other plans in mind and so bring one additional guest along. Original." ... Read more

Product Description
¡Chihuahua! what are two low-riding cats to do when they signup for a cruise and end up on a ship full of dogs? Chato andNovio boy try to have fun, but they’re miserable watching endlessgames of bark at the Moon. plus, the dogs get sick from alltheir running around and excessive consumption of doggie treats.when the two cool cats go for help, they see the cruise they weremeant to be on—a catamaran full of cats—and they have to decidewhether to join the fun or be cats of their word. with extrastorytelling in comic strips on each page, this ocean adventure issure to garner laughs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Um ....What??
Based on the cover, I thought this looked like a cute book.Boy, was I wrong.

Aside from the horrible grammar (which I could have gotten past), and pretty lame story line, the book makes light of the animals (in theory) getting wasted on their cruise ships.The cats were "crazy" on catnip and there were "milk" bottles strewn about the ship (bottles that definitely resembled beer bottles, not milk bottles).I can see this being funny for an adult to flip through, but I personally found it inappropriate for my 5 year old.Sure, the art is good.But good art doesn't make a good children's book.

A terrible book for children
I am amazed that anyone would give this garbage a good review.Poor grammar abounds in this book.Examples include, "we ain't prejudiced or nothing" (p. 7), "you got any gum" (p. 10), "these dogs don't have much manners" (p. 13), "I ain't even using my nails to hang on" (p. 16), and "there's these sick dogs that need some pills or something" (p. 26).A certain type of adult might find this style of writing amusing, but to write like this in a children's book is simply appalling.Penguin Young Readers Group should be ashamed of this mess.

Excellent book, terrific art
Hard to compete with such a terrific review, but I must add my own HUZZAHs.

I love the artwork. I love the interspersed black and white comic strips that add to the exposition.

I love the spanish slang scattered throughout: after but a few readings, my 3 year old now says, "FUU-CHI!" (yucky, stinky) as he wipes kisses off (with a smile, of course -- he's a sweet boy).

I bought Chato Goes Cruisin' in a bookstore and ordered the other 2 sight unseen, fully confident that they'll be as wonderful.

They get there fast and then they take it slow
Some picture book series get progressively less inspired as time goes on.Ian Falconer's, "Olivia" books do this.Ditto "Babar".It's just a common occurrence that people kind of come to expect.You would think that an author like Gary Soto would have used up all his creativity and ideas in the "Chato" series with "Chato's Kitchen" and "Chato and the Party Animals".In much the same way, Susan Guevara's illustrations should, logic dictates, become less entrancing and pleasant to the eye as she brings Chato's world to brilliant life.Yet here I am staring at "Chato Goes Cruisin'" and I can't for the life of me figure out how Soto and Guevara managed to come up with yet another remarkably fresh escapade in the lives of my favorite barrio boys, Chato and Novio Boy.I can't figure it out, but somehow it happened.We should be this lucky with every series.

There are distinct advantages that come with eating your cereal every morning.In Chato's case, the advantage is that he now has a chance to enter and win a free cruise for himself and a friend.He enters, wins, and before you know it he and his best friend Novio Boy are off for a vacation of pure relaxation.In theory.The truth of the matter is, when they get to the docks they find a cruise ship occupied entirely by dogs.Wellbehaved party dogs but dogs just the same.There are dog snacks, dog games, dog videos in the library, and a heckuva lot of howling at the moon.Soon enough, however, the dogs become ill and it's up to our intrepid duo to save the day.But when their rescue boat meets up with the REAL cat cruise, will they keep their promise to the canines or join a far more alluring ride?

Once again, Soto gives this book just the right mix of Spanish terms sprinkled alongside English ones.At the same time, Chato and Novio Boy use phrases that sound natural and completely appropriate for the situations they find themselves in.When Chato goes to the library to watch some movies and find only flicks with titles like, "Great Dog Rescues", Chato's reaction is a heartfelt, "Man, this is sorry".The plot makes sense, comes out all right, and the last image of the two slowly cruising in their beautiful car (with the license plate "Vato Gato") brings the whole thing home.

And Susan Guevera just gets more and more creative with every Chato book she illustrates. I liked "Chato's Kitchen" okay when it first came out, but her style at that time struck me as too loose and insubstantial.It began to tighten with "Chato and the Party Animals" and finally here with "Chato Goes Cruisin'" she's hit her peak.She's grown so comfortable with her art that she's willing to shake it up a bit for the sake of amusement.So you have the usual Chato kookiness, but also some very cool black and white comic strips on the bottom of some of the pages to give you a little insight into Chato and Novio Boy's heads.There are also countless amusing details all over this book just waiting for you to find them.When the dogs greet them at the dock, for example, the comic strip on the page shows a flag pointing to their dock with a dog head, and another flag with a cat head pointed in the opposite direction.When our heroes can't sleep for all the howling, they might have been cheered had they known that a cut-away of the boat shows a pack of very busy mice toiling relentlessly in the kitchen.Yum.Then there are the details that I think make it work the best.Novio Boy retains his title as the sexiest cat in children's literature (check out the shot of him lifting weights).And both he and Chato sport some mighty fine facial hair, making them the only felines I can think of to sport goatees and `staches in picture book fare.

Hard to object to anything in this book, really.If you enjoyed the first two installments in Chato's adventures then the best thing I can say about, "Chato Goes Cruisin'" is that it does its predecessors proud.Funny, filled with great slang in English and Spanish alike, and just a rousing adventure, it's the best of the "Chato" lot and a fine fine purchase. ... Read more

Product Description
Word count: 5639. ... Read more

Product Description
Invited to Tiffany Perez's pool party, Rudy Herrara longs to make a big impression on Tiffany and his classmates. By the author of Living up the Street. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

The Pool party
The Pool Party by Gary Soto is a great story of a little hispanic boy named Rudy that gets invited to a pool party of a wealthy friend.Rudy's family is concerned that Rudy will not fit in and proceed to give him advice on what way he should act at the party.In the mean time Rudy decided that he is going to take an inner tube to the party against the wishes of his sister who told him that in a pool party, people don't actually go into the water and just chat by the side of the pool.Rudy listens to everyones advice, but at the end he does what he thinks is right and goes to the party and just does what is right for himself.The inner tube that he takes to the party is well received by everyone and he has a good time.This book is great for children in the fifth grade and on to read because it teaches them that being yourself is the right thing to do.

Fitting In
Gary Soto expresses the issue of fitting in and family life while using Rudy to guide us in a humorous way.This book is a great choice for young readers because they are able to relate with Rudy's dilema of fitting in and being liked by a new group of friends.One major concern was when Rudy finally goes to the pool party with his inner tube. One can't help but think of poor Rudy returning home early from the party crying and feeling dreadfull.The family unity is prevelant through out this book and it is expressed with how everyone is trying to give Rudy advice on how to act, talk and greet people while he's at the party. Over all this book is a great book that I had the pleasure of reading.I would recommend it to any student regardless of their ethnic background.

The Pool Party by Gary Soto, Robert Casilla (illustrator)
I believe that third and fourth graders would really enjoy this text about this Mexican American youngster.Children would also enjoy the occasional Spanish included in the text.The only problem: Soto does not include a glossary this time.Oh well, Soto does a great job of portraying a family that understands what it means to really work for a living and teaches kids not to take everything for granted.Soto stays away from the sterotypical "lazy mexican".

Great for kids
I remember being so captivated when reading this book in the fifth grade that I read it in one sitting!I had hated reading books before that.Soto is a great author and his story's will appeal to all kids. ... Read more

Product Description
LEVEL 2 books for school children. ... Read more