Synopsis
Welcome to José's neighborhood. In his barrio, people speak an easy mix of Spanish and English and sometimes even Chinese. The masked revelry of Halloween leads into the festive remembrances of the Day of the Dead. And murals on the walls and buildings sing out the stories of the people who live here. As familiar as any neighborhood yet as strange as a foreign country, Jose's barrio isn't in Mexico or Argentina—it's in San Francisco. Award-winning author and photographer George Ancona follows José through a season in the barrio, and in the process gives readers a glimpse of a community as rich and varied as America itself.
Children's Literature
José Luís lives in the barrio, a Hispanic neighborhood located in the Mission District of San Francisco. Like other young boys, he enjoys playground games at recess much more than homework. On his way home from school, José admires the impressive and colorful murals on the buildings. These giant paintings depict the achievements of Latin heroes like Cesar Chavez and Rigoberta Menchu. In the spring, the barrio celebrates the Carnaval fiesta with an exciting parade. In the fall, barrio shops sell sugar skulls for the festive Day of the Dead. José is presented as a boy who observes his cultural heritage in an appealing environment not so different from the average American. He plays soccer, goes grocery shopping with his mother, and shares ice cream cones with a baby sister. This beautiful photo essay will be adored by Spanish teachers looking for cultural enrichment materials. Children will be intrigued by the colorful photographs, which deserve repeated viewings. This book was named an Honor Book for Illustration by the Pura Belpré Award committee--an award that honors Latin writers and illustrators who portray and affirm the Latino cultural experience. It is also available in Spanish.