Barrio (Spanish-language): El barrio de Jos [Paperback]

George Ancona (Author, Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1998 | Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up

Welcome to José's neighborhood. In his barrio, people speak an easy mix of Spanish and English and sometimes even Chinese. The masked revelry of Halloween leads into the festive remembrances of the Day of the Dead. And murals on the walls and buildings sing out the stories of the people who live here. As familiar as any neighborhood yet as strange as a foreign country, Jose's barrio isn't in Mexico or Argentina--it's in San Francisco. Award-winning author and photographer George Ancona follows José through a season in the barrio, and in the process gives readers a glimpse of a community as rich and varied as America itself.

Editorial Reviews

Review

José Luís lives in the barrio, a Hispanic neighborhood located in the Mission District of San Francisco. Like other young boys, he enjoys playground games at recess much more than homework. On his way home from school, José admires the impressive and colorful murals on the buildings. These giant paintings depict the achievements of Latin heroes like Cesar Chavez and Rigoberta Menchu. In the spring, the barrio celebrates the Carnaval fiesta with an exciting parade. In the fall, barrio shops sell sugar skulls for the festive Day of the Dead. José is presented as a boy who observes his cultural heritage in an appealing environment not so different from the average American. He plays soccer, goes grocery shopping with his mother, and shares ice cream cones with a baby sister. This beautiful photo essay will be adored by Spanish teachers looking for cultural enrichment materials. Children will be intrigued by the colorful photographs, which deserve repeated viewings. This book was named an Honor Book for Illustration by the Pura Belpré Award committee--an award that honors Latin writers and illustrators who portray and affirm the Latino cultural experience. It is also available in Spanish. (Childen's Literature )

Language Notes

Text: Spanish (translation)
Original Language: English

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (October 1, 1998)
• Language: Spanish
• ISBN-10: 0152018085
• ISBN-13: 978-0152018085
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,769,219 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heart-touching book that portrays Mexican Amer. urban life, January 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Barrio (Spanish-language): El barrio de Jos (Paperback)

I love this book. This is real literature that Mexican/Mexican American children can relate to; Not only children with Mexican backgrounds, but immigrant children overall. My favorite part is page 10 where Jose stares at the mural painted by the Salvadoran painter (Salvadoran struggles are rarely depicted in literature). This book moved me so much that I am motivated to visit Mission District, San Francisco to experience that beautiful atmosphere first hand.

Thank you, A Southern Californian (Latina)Elementary School Teacher