The Upside Down Boy/El nino de cabeza [Paperback]

Juan Felipe Herrera (Author), Elizabeth Gomez (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Fresh from the country, Juanito is bewildered by his new school. Everything he does feels upside down: he eats lunch when it's recess and goes out to play when it's time for lunch, and his tongue feels like a rock when he tries to speak English. But a sensitive teacher and his loving family help Juanito find his voice through poetry, art, and music. Juan Felipe Herrera's playful language and the magical illustrations of Elizabeth Gómez capture the universal experience of entering a new school and feeling lost in a world that seems upside down — at first.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-5-In rhythmic, flowing language, Herrera uses startlingly apt images to tell the story of a young Hispanic boy's adjustment to an Anglo school. Juanito is worried about entering a new school, afraid that his tongue will "-turn into a rock." Indeed, on the first day, this is what happens. He feels frightened, shy, and "de cabeza," upside down. Fortunately, his teacher recognizes his musical and verbal abilities, and with her encouragement and the support of his family, Juanito not only fits in, but shines. Based on Herrera's own experiences in third grade, this positive look at the process of adjustment is beautifully complemented by G-mez's brilliantly colored, primitive acrylic illustrations. Francisco Jim?nez's La Mariposa (Houghton, 1998) and Jane Medina's My Name Is Jorge: On Both Sides of the River (Boyds Mills, 1999) cover similar turf, though in a less upbeat manner. El ni-o is an excellent addition to a growing body of work on the experience of adjusting to life in a new culture.
Ann Welton, Terminal Park Elementary School, Auburn, WA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Language Notes

Text: English, Spanish --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Children's Book Press; First Trade Paper Edition edition (September 8, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892392177
• ISBN-13: 978-0892392179
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #859,571 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #13 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Ethnic & National > Hispanic & Latino
  • #45 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Literature & Fiction > Poetry > Spanish
  • #78 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Biographies > Literary

More About the Author

Juan Felipe Herrera was initiated into the Word by the fire-speakers of the early Chicano Movimiento and by heavy exposure to various poetry, jazz, and blues performance streams. He is the Tomás Rivera Endowed Chair in the Department of Creative Writing at the University of California - Riverside. His published works include Border-Crosser with a Lamborghini Dream, Mayan Drifter: Chicano Poet in the Lowlands of the Americas, and Thunderweavers / Tejedoras de Rayos.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Upside Down Boy, July 11, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Upside Down Boy / El niño de cabeza (Hardcover)

This multi-cultural storybook celebrates diversity through both the telling of the story and the inclusion of two languages: English and Spanish. Juanito is the son of migrant workers from Mexico. Neither of his parents had the opportunity to complete school, but realize the importance of education. When Juanito reaches school age, his parents settle down so that he may regularly attend. At first the new schedules feel strange to Juanito and he is often doing the wrong thing during designated times. However, once he adjusts, he discovers his beautiful singing voice, artistic talent, and receives high marks for a poem he wrote. He and his parents are proud of the success Juanito finds in school despite the challenge of adapting to an unfamiliar language and culture. The vibrant illustrations promote the positive feeling towords multiculturalism portrayed in this picture storybook.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Captivating and lyrical!, December 11, 2006

By 

Malynda Carl "Lynn" (Santa Cruz, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Upside Down Boy / El niño de cabeza (Hardcover)

My seven-year old was absolutely captivated by this book. It is a heart-warming story, perfect for those who know how it feels to be a newcomer and at the same time illuminating to those who do not. The words are poetic and lyrical. The playful illustrations are strikingly beautiful, full of color, emotion, and expression. It is especially appropriate for children who have moved or are moving. However, anyone can enjoy the poetic message of love and support.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Adjusting to New Culture, August 29, 2006

By 

Virginia Allain "(retired librarian)" (Poinciana, FL) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Upside Down Boy/El nino de cabeza (Paperback)

In this sequel to Calling the Doves, Juanito's farm-worker parents settle down so that he can go to school. Suddenly, everything Juanito does feels upside down, but a sensitive teacher and devoted family help him make a place for himself. A 2000 Smithsonian Notable Book for Children. (summary by the Latino Recommended Reading List from the Association of American Publishers's * Publishing Latino Voices for America Task Force)