A Bear for Miguel (I Can Read Level 3) [Library Binding]

Elaine Marie Alphin (Author), Joan Sandin (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2007 | Series: I Can Read Level 3

A young girl in El Salvador goes to the market with her father and helps her family obtain necessities by trading a precious item of her own.

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

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4?The story of a young girl helping her father trade some of their possessions for basic necessities in war-torn El Salvador seems an unlikely topic for an easy reader. However, this poignant narrative, told from the child's perspective, is straightforward and speaks to the heart. Maria never intended to trade her stuffed bear, but her sensitivity to her family's circumstances helps her to make the difficult decision. A general map and glossary (with a pronunciation guide) for the eight Spanish words/phrases used in the text precede the five chapters. The Spanish blends easily with the English text and the meaning is also made clear in context. Sandin's watercolors add to the emotional impact of this beginning reader and do an effective job of setting the scene. An author's note intended for adults briefly explains about the war that took place in the 1980s. This sensitive and compelling title will be welcome in all libraries, particularly those serving refugees from El Salvador.?Gale W. Sherman, Pocatello Public Library, ID
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 1^-3. Growing up in El Salvador, Maria understands that her father can work for neither the government nor the guerrillas without reprisals from the other side. Now they must barter their handiwork and their furniture for food. Going to market with her father, she takes along her stuffed bear Paco. When Papa leaves Maria in charge, she finds the courage to make good trades, even letting her beloved Paco go in exchange for the food her family needs. A glossary is provided for Spanish words used in the text, although generally their meanings are clear from the context, at least when they first appear. Libraries looking for more contemporary stories reflecting other cultures will find this a good choice for young readers, particularly for those who know a little Spanish. Carolyn Phelan --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Library Binding: 64 pages
• Publisher: Fitzgerald Books (January 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1424205603
• ISBN-13: 978-1424205608
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,165,702 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Elaine Marie Alphin knew she was going to be a writer before she could even read or write. On early morning walks with her father in San Francisco, she listened to the stories he told, and made up stories to tell him, and she realized then that she wanted to spend her life making up stories. Winner of the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Young Adult Mystery (Counterfeit Son), the ForeWard Book of the Year Award for Young Adult Fiction (The Perfect Shot), the Society of Midland Authors Children's Fiction Award and Young Hoosier Book Award (Ghost Soldier, also an Edgar Award nominee), the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award (Dinosaur Hunter), two Society of Children's Writers and Illustrators Magazine Merit Awards, and the Virginia State Reading Association Award (The Ghost Cadet), Mrs. Alphin has made writing for children and young adults, and speaking to them at schools and conferences, her dream career. Although she started out as a journalist in Houston, a tip from her husband, Art, drew her to writing for children. Her fiction and nonfiction books for youngsters from beginning readers through teenagers have been selected for Bank Street College lists, TAYSHAS lists, VOYA Top Shelf lists, and 20 Children's Choice state award lists. Although adults occasionally ask when she's going to grow up enough to write for them, Elaine Marie Alphin explains why she loves writing for young readers instead: "I always wanted my writing to challenge readers to question their assumptions, and I discovered that a lot of grown-ups don't really want to question their assumptions. They've made choices and compromises in their lives, and they want to feel comfortable about them. But young readers are still finding out who they are, like I am, I guess. They're the perfect audience for me because they want to consider new ideas in order to decide for themselves which ideas they agree with and which they don't, and work out how they want to live their lives." Elaine Marie Alphin has written one book for adults: Creating Characters Kids Will Love. It's about writing for young readers. Get to know Elaine Marie Alphin better at her website: www.elainemariealphin.com. The Alphins live in Bozeman, Montana, and spend time in South Dakota and Wyoming.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Helped 4 year-old to understand sacrificial giving, Spanish, August 15, 2001

By 

thx1140 "thx1140" (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Bear For Miguel (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition) (An I Can Read Book, Level 3) (School & Library Binding)

This is an engaging story that spoke to my little girl's heart. After she read this book (with minimal help), we discussed the concepts. It changed her heart. She finally became receptive to the idea of giving away some of her toys to poor children.

My daughter also learned some Spanish words, which were beautifully integrated into the text of the story. She has retained the words and their meanings very well after only a few readings. She began to understand the concept of a foreign language because the words were presented in context first in Spanish then in English. This was far more effective than her Spanish picture dictionary.

In short, this is a beautiful book that has the potential to expand your child's horizons and change his/her heart. Children can relate well to the love that the main character has for her favorite - and only - toy, which makes the climax of the story easy to understand. A child who learns even one or two of the Spanish words and phrases could possibly make new friends at the playground. I highly recommend this lovingly written, educational book.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Un Osito Para Miguelito, April 21, 2003

By 

Bob Foster (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Bear for Miguel (I Can Read Book 3) (Paperback)

If you believe that war, poverty and brutality are appropriate topics for third-graders, this is the book for you. And there may very well be Salvadoran parents who wish to introduce the subject of that country's civil war to their children. The book is nicely illustrated, and I can't take issue with the writing on any technical basis. But seriously, the disclosure that Miguel was "hurt by soldiers. Now he can't run and play anymore," is a bit much for an eight-year-old, in my opinion.