All for the Better: A Story of El Barrio (Stories of America) [Paperback]

Nicholasa Mohr (Author), Rudy Gutierrez (Author, Illustrator), Randy Gutierrez (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 2-5--All for the Better tells the story of how one caring person can make a difference. In 1933 the Great Depression had hit Puerto Rico as hard as it had hit the United States. Evelina Lopez, then 11, left her mother and sisters to live with an aunt in New York City. Her journey to Spanish Harlem, El Barrio, and the life that followed there make up this simple biography. When she learned that food packages were available to those who presented the proper forms, but that most of her neighbors were too ashamed to apply, she found a solution. From this early success, Evelina Lopez Antonetty became an activist on behalf of the Spanish community in New York, ultimately founding the United Bronx Parents Group. The language in this well-written biography is rich, flavored with Spanish words, and yet relatively easy to read. The black-and-white drawings scattered throughout highlight important details of the story. A worthy purchase. --Linda Greengrass, Bank Street College Library, New York City

Copyright 1993 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Steck-Vaughn Company (October 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811480607
• ISBN-13: 978-0811480604
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #333,396 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Ms. Mohr touches upon the heart of Puerto Rican pride., October 26, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: All for the Better: A Story of El Barrio (Stories of America) (Paperback)

In this book, Ms. Mohr gets at the heart of Puerto Rican pride with the touching story of a young girl sent to the mainland, so her family on the island of Puerto Rico won't be so burdened financially. Evelina Lopez is 11 years old at the start of the story. She is saying her good-byes to her mother and two sisters. She is leaving to live with her aunt and uncle in New York during the Depression Era. Evelina faces this event with great courage, albeit with great sorrow at having to leave her family. When she gets to New York, her aunt and uncle greet her and she is taken to their home and shown her room. The school year has begun and soon Evelina is enrolled and attending her first classes in English. She is smart and learns quickly. She has run-ins with some girls but handles herself well and makes friends easily. Evelina is a doer. She has a clear way of seeing things and acts on her beliefs. She is strong, fair, helpful, and good. She figures out a way to get food for many neighbors who are too proud to accept charity. During this time of great hardship, Evelina is a symbol of hope. I would like to have met Evelina Lopez. Her life seems to have been an inspiration.

4.0 out of 5 stars SSIMS Summer Spanish, August 24, 2011

By 

Caitlin - See all my reviews

This review is from: All for the Better: A Story of El Barrio (Stories of America) (Paperback)

Para Una Vida Mejor #1


El libro Para Una Vida Mejor es un libro excelente para personas que saben mucho del Gran Depresi'n. Cuando lees este libro, aprendes de las luchas de otras personas que no son americanos. La niña en este cuento se llama Evelina, y ella estaba separada de su familia por que su mamá no pudiera apoyar a las tres niñas cuando no tenía esposo. Ella viajó a Nueva York en barco para vivir con su Tía Vicenta. Durante el libro, Evelina aprende a hablar inglés. Con su nuevo lenguaje, Evelina reúne bolsas de alimentos para repartir a los pobres. Muchas personas eran sufriendo por que el Gran Depresión era tan malo, y Evelina sentía que ella debería hacer algo. En el fin, su familia venga a Nueva York para vivir con ella y todo es bueno.
Yo si recomendaría este libro a unos de mis amigos por que es un libro que tiene historia y ficción, entonces puedes aprender algo mientras te entretienen. Me gustaba el libro por que puedo imaginar que incómodo sería si yo tenía que viajar a una área totalmente diferente con todas nuevas personas. Me gustaría leer el libro Nilda de Nicholasa Mohr por que en amazon.com hay buenos comentarios en el libro, y también tiene cinco estrellas. Sobre todo, yo pienso que la autora es maravillosa y el libro es una gran lectura.

5.0 out of 5 stars "El Ponce" PR to Bronx, NY, August 9, 2011

A Kid's Review

This review is from: All for the Better: A Story of El Barrio (Stories of America) (Paperback)

Esta historia se trata de una nina convirtienose en un lider para la comunidad. esta historia comienza en Puerto Rico, en el muelle de "El Ponce". Durante ese tiempo "La Gran Depression" estaba en efecto. Su mama tenia tres hijas Lilian, Elbita y Evelina. No poida soportar a Evelina y la envoi de Puerto Rico hasta Nueva York para vivir con su tia Vicenta y tio Godreau. La gran depression estaba afectando Nueva York lo mismo que en Puerto Rico. Al llegar a Nueva York su vida cambio en una direccion positivo. Porque ella era muy inteligente y valiente ella logro a no solo ayudar a sus vecinos con su comida, pero ayudo a su comunidad a desarollarse bien.
A mi me gusto porque Evelina era puertoriquena y yo soy de cultura puertoriquena. Tambien me gusto porque ella estaba pasando por algo realistic. Las palabras, frases y lenguaje me gusto porque era facil de leer y de comprender. Lo que mas me gusto es que el autor era al punto.
Yo le doy 4 estrellas. ****