Latino Voices

School Library Journal

Gr 10 Up-Through brief samples of writings by Latinos and Latinas, short explanations of their historical and cultural importance, and simple introductions to each author, Aparicio successfully reflects this broad cultural group. The selections are mostly true-life narratives that paint a picture of a variety of lifestyles, hardships, dreams, beliefs, frustrations, and successes. Poetry and one piece of fiction are also included, as are translations for Spanish words, albeit inconsistently. Those that follow the article are more disruptive than those that appear parenthetically beside the Spanish word. How the editor determined whether to append or to include each translation is not clear. The index refers readers to topics, authors, and sources. A book that is sure to reinforce ethnic pride, and to provide a solid offering for non-Hispanics interested in an inside look at this culture.-Dona Weisman, Northeast Texas Library System, Garland

Chris Sherman

This new entry in the Writers of America series is a thoughtful collection of Latino poetry, fiction, and excerpts from actual accounts of immigrants and settlers that offers a broad view of the Latino experience in the U.S. Chapter introductions connect the pieces and provide insight into the authors' lives and their writings, which explore the themes of immigration, home and family, work, language, love, religion, and racial discrimination. Twenty-four writers from various backgrounds and countries are included, among them such familiar names as Sandra Cisneros, Julia Alvarez, and Piri Thomas. The selections are enjoyable as well as provocative: two of the best are Edward Rivera's humorous blow-by-blow account of his botched First Communion and Jose Antonio Burciaga's "All the Things I Learned in School Weren't Necessarily True." A glossary of Spanish terms follows each selection, and a list of sources and a bibliography are provided.