Marisol and Magdalena: The Sound of Our Sisterhood (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Do you know what it's like to be in a room full of people, but to feel completely alone?..." (more)
Key Phrases: New York, Lucho Mayaguez, Panama City (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 6^-9. Their mothers grew up together in Panama, but longtime best friends Marisol and Magdalena, both 13, were born and still live in Brooklyn and know very little Spanish. Their relatives and others in the expatriate Panamanian community in Brooklyn are constantly trying to make the two girls understand and appreciate their heritage. But the girls plan to "rule Roberto Clemente Junior High" when they enter eighth grade in the fall; then Marisol's single, working mother, who also attends nursing school, decides to send Marisol to Panama to spend a year with her grandmother. An apprehensive Marisol prepares for the trip, unhappy as she sees Magdalena pulling away from her but consoled by the thought that she might find the father she's never known. In Panama, Marisol is immediately comfortable with her grandmother, makes a new friend in Ana, is welcomed at her new school, and finds her first boyfriend in Rube n, who tutors her in Spanish. As Marisol's shyness fades, she begins to feel, in some ways, more comfortable in Panama than in New York, even adjusting to the fact that her father may never surface in her life. Marisol's vibrant first-person narrative flows smoothly, incorporating Spanish words and phrases in a way that non-Spanish speakers can easily comprehend, and conveying a well-realized sense of the Latino-black experience. YAs of any background will readily be able to identify with Marisol and the test placed on her friendship with Magdalena. Sally Estes --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

Marisol and Magdalena are mejores amigas - best friends - who live in Brooklyn. They have grown up with their extended families, a group of colorful, eccentric relatives who are forever trying to reach the girls the ways of Panama, their native land. For Marisol, a Latinegra - a black and a Latina - child, life is especially challenging as she tries to balance several heritages. When Marisol's mother sends her to live in Panama with her abuela, the move puts Marisol's American values to the test, and also tests her friendship with Magdalena. But going to Panama also presents an opportunity for Marisol to search for her father, Lucho, a man she has never met.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion Book CH (March 26, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786813040
• ISBN-13: 978-0786813049
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #401,846 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Marisol and Magdelena the sound of our sisterhood, May 13, 2003

A Kid's Review

This book is the greatest book I've read on my level of reading.It shows a friend ship that will last. Ruben and marisol should have thier own book.It was fun reading: MARISOL AND MAGDELENA THE SOUND OF OUR SISTER HOOD

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just the right book for bi-cultural children and teenagers., September 18, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Marisol and Magdalena: The Sound of Our Sisterhood (Hardcover)

Kudos for Veronica Chambers!!! This book is great a must have in your children's bookshelf. I am a Panamanian mother of 2 children born in the U.S. Now they can see that you don't have to choose. That you can embrace and love both cultures, it is O.K. to be both, Born in the USA and a Panamanian. That your heart is big enough to love both cultures and you are smart enough to speak two languages. Be proud of who you are.

4.0 out of 5 stars 4 and a half stars: Beware of this Excellent Libro!!!!, March 26, 2007

A Kid's Review

This book has a wonderful message that is realistic AND you could learn to understand more Spanish!!! This book shows you that you shouldn't forsake your friends especially when they need you most. You may have friendships like this so you can relate easily. We enjoyed that the book left us with many questions at the end. Did Marisol find her father? Did Magdalena meet Ruben? It lets you use your imagination to create your own ending. If you choose to read this book, you will find that even though Marisol was sad about her father, she found a way to be happy. Hopefully, a lot of students can relate to this!