MODULE 3: JUANA AND LUCAS
Juana is a fun-loving young girl who loves life in Columbia. She loves her dog, reading, drawing, and life
in Bogota, but one thing she does not love is school. Why should she learn how
to speak English? When her grandparents tell her they are taking a special trip
to the USA, where she will need to speak English, she gets slowly gets excited
about English and her new adventure to meet one thing she loves-Astroman!
APA Reference of Book:
Medina,
J. (2016). Juana & Lucas.
Candlewick Pr.
Impressions:
While I was hoping for more information about life in Bogota, I enjoyed reading the simple illustrations, the playful personality of Juana, and the blended writing in English and Spanish, and knowing that this is based on Juana Medina’s life. Living in San Antonio, many students I encounter come from mixed backgrounds similar to Juana. And, with so many immigrants coming to us from Latin countries, these kinds of stories are important for students, librarians, and teachers from all walks of life.
While I was hoping for more information about life in Bogota, I enjoyed reading the simple illustrations, the playful personality of Juana, and the blended writing in English and Spanish, and knowing that this is based on Juana Medina’s life. Living in San Antonio, many students I encounter come from mixed backgrounds similar to Juana. And, with so many immigrants coming to us from Latin countries, these kinds of stories are important for students, librarians, and teachers from all walks of life.
Professional Review:
“Meet Juana, a lively and opinionated grade school girl growing up in Bogotá, Colombia. She strongly dislikes wearing her hot and itchy school uniform but even more having to learn to speak English: "Why not just speak in Spanish? It is SO much easier!" Juana comes from a middle-class white family. She likes drawing, the superhero Astroman, and eating Brussels sprouts. She loves Bogotá, reading, her mother, and her dog, Lucas. When she finds out they will be learning to speak English in school, Juana is not happy. She's got trouble enough with learning math. English is muy hard. Told from Juana's point of view with humor and drama, using capitalized words, periods separating words for emphasis, and a good sprinkling of Spanish words throughout, the book makes clear there's a universality to Juana's story. The ink-and-watercolor cartoon-style illustrations are charming, but depictions of the city are less precise than those of its diverse inhabitants. Readers not familiar with Bogotá will fail to get a real sense of place. And Juana's trouble with English? Suffice it to say a promised trip to the U.S.A. to meet Astroman proves to be a great incentive. The real gift of this book comes from presenting a different point of reference to American children who hear only stories of poverty and need coming out of South America. (Fiction. 5-9)”
“Meet Juana, a lively and opinionated grade school girl growing up in Bogotá, Colombia. She strongly dislikes wearing her hot and itchy school uniform but even more having to learn to speak English: "Why not just speak in Spanish? It is SO much easier!" Juana comes from a middle-class white family. She likes drawing, the superhero Astroman, and eating Brussels sprouts. She loves Bogotá, reading, her mother, and her dog, Lucas. When she finds out they will be learning to speak English in school, Juana is not happy. She's got trouble enough with learning math. English is muy hard. Told from Juana's point of view with humor and drama, using capitalized words, periods separating words for emphasis, and a good sprinkling of Spanish words throughout, the book makes clear there's a universality to Juana's story. The ink-and-watercolor cartoon-style illustrations are charming, but depictions of the city are less precise than those of its diverse inhabitants. Readers not familiar with Bogotá will fail to get a real sense of place. And Juana's trouble with English? Suffice it to say a promised trip to the U.S.A. to meet Astroman proves to be a great incentive. The real gift of this book comes from presenting a different point of reference to American children who hear only stories of poverty and need coming out of South America. (Fiction. 5-9)”
Juana
and Lucas. (2016). Kirkus Reivews, 84(12),
157.
Library Uses:
This book would be useful during National Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15-October 15 to discuss Columbian culture and bilingual challenges. School librarians can read the book and make displays with basic Spanish=English vocabulary words.
This book would be useful during National Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15-October 15 to discuss Columbian culture and bilingual challenges. School librarians can read the book and make displays with basic Spanish=English vocabulary words.