In My Family by Carmen Lomas Garza

Garza, C. L., Rohmer, H., Schecter, D., & Alarcón Francisco X. (1996). In my family. San Francisco, CA: Childrens Book Press.

Summary:

She talks about the many good memories she had growing up in a traditional Mexican American community. She and her brother Arturo liked to play outside with the horned toad lizards. They were fascinated by the shape and how it protected itself from bigger animals. She recalls seeing her grandfather cleaning the nopales so the grandmother can cook them for breakfast. She continues talking about other traditional things they would do as a family like making empanadas, having birthday barbecues, painting and making Easter eggs, and the earache treatment where you use a newspaper. She also mentions the healer that cleanses people, the story of the weeping woman, the alter of the Virgin of Guadalupe, the miracles they see and find, and the blessings of a wedding. The last thing mentioned is the get together they have on a Saturday night.

Strength:

This book will connect a lot with our Mexican American students. The students will connect with the different traditional things that are mentioned in the book. As a Mexican American myself, I enjoyed reading the book because I was able to connect with the traditions that were mentioned, and the paintings helped the book tell its full story. The book talks about family and spending time together. Students will love reading the book and learning about a new culture.

Award:

Pura Belpré Award Nominee for Illustration (1998)

Connection

Booktrailer:

https://youtu.be/NqY99gWRVgo