Gary Soto Books

This is cute little book that was recommended at an ELL workshop. It's cute.

I really enjoyed the book and gave it to my grandparents because that is exactly how they are.(and Mexican too!) A great fun story that teaches about love kindness and patience.

How many ways can YOU think of to use a door? My first graders loved this silly story of an old man who thinks his wife told him to bring a door ("la puerta") to a friends's barbeque. Of course, she said bring "el puerco" -- a pig -- to the party. But the old man is too busy to listen carefully...and off he goes down the street with the door on his back! On the way, he meets with multiple adventures -- all of which require a door for assistance. By the time he gets to the barbeque, he has a few special gifts -- and a funny story -- to contribute. (But still no pig...) Like all Gary Soto books, the conversation is sprinkled with Spanish. The illustrations by Joe Cepeda are colorful and lively. This was (by a narrow vote) my student's favorite Gary Soto book.

Flower girl Maya tells the story of her cousin's wedding in vivid detail. She shares her often silly, but always observant tale of the event from a child's point of view. From the groom's broken arm to crying babies, she leaves little to the imagination.

Stephanie Garcia, illustrator of this 1998 Pura Belpre Award winner, uses a unique but effective approach by using photographs of three-dimensional picture boxes to convey the story. The boxes contain realistic clay figures and a collage of items from the wedding. The text and pictures are integrally tied, and the text often cleverly prompts the reader to look at something in the illustration.

This is such a fun book that it needs to be read several times to properly enjoy it. The writer is definitely in tune with a child's point of view.

Although this book is based on a Mexican-American wedding, the theme is universal. A child narrates the book, telling about the events that take place at a wedding. The book exquisitly portrays a family clebration through a child's eyes. It is a happy, sweet book that anyone can enjoy.

The book is an overall good portrait of a family celebration in any culture. The casual reference to beer and keg beer,however, are not acceptable for this age group. When we teach our children (in the drug awareness programs in schools) that alcohol is a drug and is bad, the message we send needs to be consistent. My daughter chose this book off of the shelf at the school library during the same week that they were promoting drug-free schools and really had trouble understanding why the people at the wedding would want to do "something bad for you". She will have plenty of time, in the years to come, to learn more about alcohol and all that it involves. She doesn't need the unsupervised exposure to it at this age.

I have used this book for three years now as a teacher of Spanish. My students of Spanish 3 and I read a few stories every year as part of a day of reading that we do every week the second half of the year. The students enjoy the stories because they are similar to their own experiences with school, family, and social events. I enjoy using this book every year.

Esta colección de cuentos adolescentes es excelente para enseñar literatura a los estudiantes nativos en los cursos intermediatos de la escuela elemental o la 'escuela media'. Los temas son reales para el mundo de muchos alumnos. El lector puede identificarse con los personajes en las historias puesto que vienen del mundo del inmigrante, del joven. Toman lugar en Fresno y sus alrededores pero no son muy específicos al lugar. Hay temas tanto para las jovenes como para los jovenes. Aunque fueron escritas en inglés la traducción es bastante buena y el sabor es latino.Gary Soto es un autor latino que debe llegar más a los jovenes latinos tantos los que nacieron en los EE UU como los que acaban de llegar de otras tierras. Me alegro muchísimo que han traducido esta obra para dar una visión del adolescente latino a todos los lectores hispanoparlantes. Es una imagen mucho más real de lo que se ve en el mundo latino que exportamos fuera de nuestras fronteras através del cine o la televisión. La acogida que tuvo en mi clase es mejor que mucha literatura anglosajona que se presenta en traducciones del inglés.

The poems in gary soto's latest book [A fire in my hands]are so descriptive they are telling stories. Each poem he writes is a moment, and in some of the poems you feel like you are really there. The reason I gave this book four stars is because some of the poems are too much like stories and it doesn't have the same effect on you as it would if it were more poetic and less like a storie though I do know since I am a writer myself that each author has their own style, and some of his poems were not exactly enthralling so I said above. I am 11 and since I read it I would recommend this book to kids maybe 10 to adult because people younger might not understand some of the poems and that totally takes away the effec of poetry. Thanks for reading my review, Lizzy

I think that this book of poetry is full of beautiful poems that really pull you into the realistic themes of Gary Soto's poems. His poems were beautifly written and are full of stories. I think that this book is definetly a good one for poets who like realistic situations and descriptive moments. Since I love writing I thin Gary Soto has a unique way of writing and any one who read this review (but I would recommend it for people ages 9+) and liked the sound of this book. This book definetly earns 5 stars!

This book first caught my eye at the local library. I have a MFA in creative writing and have been a big fan of Gary Soto for some time after having read some of his short stories during my studies. In addition, my three year old's sitter is bilingual and is teaching my daughter Spanish. I'm always looking for books that introduce Spanish words. We checked out the book, then checked it out again, then checked it out again, until I finally bought a copy for my daughter. At first, I was a bit concered about the whole "lowrider" culture, afraid, I guess of what I don't know. Prejudiced by the stereotypes of lowriders being part of gang culture and the like, I almost passed up this really great book.

The story is multilayered and beautiful, spanning age differences as protrayed by Pumpkin, the baby sister to Theresa who is too old to hang with Pumpkin, yet too young to be responsible to the grandfather (Abulito Benito) who is still young enough to run down the street from and dog and young enough to look good when he is fixed up. When you consider the car as a metaphor for the grandfather, the book takes on an even greater meaning.

This is a fantastic book that helps introduce a different culture to your child while teaching her responsibility. The illustrations are great, the writing is fantastic, and the morals are timeless. Don't let this book get by you because of your prejudices toward or against lowriding culture.

This little book is full of wonderful illustrations and a story that includes a gentle lesson in taking care of the things and people most valuable to us. The most valuable things in life involve a little work and a lot of care. The book features a lowrider pedal car, and this adds a layer of interest to an already lovely read. No interest in vehicles is necessary to enjoy the book, but for those children who do have a special interest in cars and model cars, this book is a surefire winner.

I like Novio boy, it's alright. I like all the challenging,
Spanish words. They make the book more fun to read. This book has two main characters, Rudy and Patricia. They are best friends. One of the best parts of the book is when Uncle Juan sang one of his songs with a rap like beat it goes something like this:

Tort pushed Frijoles on my plate
Shouting "TAKE THIS TAKE THAT."
Frijoles, our piping brown brother,
Got mad and said, "meet you outside homie!
I'm gonna gas you up!

There is a little more but it too much to type. I liked the end of the book the begging was good to. I would recommend this book to another student, because it's a good book.

Alright my class has just finished this book it's pretty good. This book is about two main characters. One's a boy named Rudy and his in the ninth grade. The other's a girl in the eleventh grade. There are a lot of other characters in it like Rudy's mother and his best friend.

Ok now I'll tell you more about this book. The book is about this two high school kids going out to lunch together, and on the way to the day they go out it tells about the other people in the story and how the two people started going out. The book starts out with Rudy and his friend Alex talking about what he should say and ask about on his first date.

Last I'm going to tell you the things I liked and disliked about the book. First thing I liked was that it had my name in it, and the second thing was I learned some more Spanish. The one thing I disliked is that it was written like a play.

This book started in a place called Southern California. It's about Rudy's parents, friends, and Patricia's parents and friends giving advice for their first date. Their parents and friends are giving them tips so they can be happy together. I liked this book because it relates to my life. It relates to my life because my parents and friends were giving me advice for my first date.

Novio Boy is a play written by special author Gary Soto. This story takes in Southern California, with two boys name Tito and Rudy. They both were trying to get girlfriend. Well one of them was trying to get a girlfriend that was two grades higher than him, is Tito. Rudy on the other hand trying to get a girlfriend too, but he's getting help from his friend, Rudy. Later in the book Rudy finally get his date like he wanted since he saw her face.

Novio boy takes place in Southern California and it is about two boys who are trying to get girlfriends one of them is trying to get a date with someone two grades higher then him. Rudy the one trying to get a date with Patricia but doesn't have the money to take her out. Sooner or later they start selling apples five for a dollar. Then later on after they sold the apples Rudy finally gets a date with Patricia at a hamburger restaurant called "Steaks, Steaks y Más Steaks.

If you asked me if I liked it the answer is yes because it was funny and acting is fun.

Taking Sides Taking it to Another Level

The book I read was Taking Sides, by Gary Soto. This book is one of my favorite books. I definitely recommend people from the age of 12 and up. This book is very descriptive and well written. This book contains a little Spanish, so when you read it might be hard for you to understand. When you read this book it makes you feel as you're there.
One of my favorite part from the book is when he gets to play his old school against his school that he is now in a basketball game. So if you want to find out who wins you must read this book and find out for your own! The main characters in this story are Lincoln, James, Tony, Monica, and Lincoln's Mom. This story takes place in Sycamore, California.
If you really enjoy basketball books I really recommend you to read this book. This book is one of the best books I've read, and if you also love Gary Soto's book's you'll love this one. Taking Sides is a book full of excitement and mysteries.

"I'd rather be playing for Franklin then Columbus" Lincoln says. Lincoln is the main character in the book "Taking Sides" by Gary Soto. If you want to know what this quote means keep on reading.
Lincoln is an athletic boy who just moved to a small rich town from living in a poor town where things are always stolen. He had to leave all his friends behind and his girl-friend. His passion is playing basketball. Now he has to play an important game against his old team. The worst part is that he is losing his best friend for playing on the other team. Will he play hard with his new team or will he throw away the important game to keep his best friend?
This is for both boys and girls that are interested in athletics. Also for people who like competition. Would you try to win the game or would you throw the game away? If you want to find out what happens in the end read this interesting book.

This excellent and appealing story deals with cultural differences,moving,and basketball. An eight grader,Lincoln mendoza and his mother have just moved from barriot to sycamore,due to a robberie.Lincoln misses his old neighborhood and old dirty freinds.He also misses the fights that would occur in barriot.The reason i gave this book four stars was becuase it had good parts.My favorite part in this book was the part when he played against the other team because it was all his freinds. The arthur desribed this book so great.At his new school he is playing on there basketball team which happens to play against his old school franklin he is very nervous and why does his coach dislike him?????

I liked the book, but it never addressed who was the burglar. Was the same person or persons that broke in their old neighborhood home the same guy who broke into their new home? Could he have been the boy's father or the mom's ex-boyfriend and that's why the dog didn't bark? How did the stolen TV end up at the thrift store?

Switching Teams

Do you know what it's like to switch teams? Well Lincoln Mendoza does. I am talking about the book, "Taking Sides," by Gary Soto. This is a great book. I think that anyone who likes books about sports should read this. It is all about basketball and how Lincoln switches school and joins a different basketball team. You should read, "Taking Sides."

Plus this book talks about real issues in life because these things really happen, people really have to switch schools and change basketball teams. My favorite part was when Lincoln went back to Franklin (his old school) to see his best friend Tony; it was great, two friends reuniting. An example of good suspense in this book is when someone breaks into Lincolns house when he is sitting home alone. You don't know what's going to happen and I won't tell you. There is no bad part in this book to me and I don't think you will find one. I say you should read this book.

In conclusion, this book is about sports, switching schools and adjusting to there. This is a fabulous book you should read this. Now don't just sit there, run to your nearest book store and get the book called, "Taking Sides."

By:M.W

My 6th grade summer class and I decided to read Baseball in April in order to get to know Gary Soto's writing style a bit better. We were not disappointed. The students were able to choose from the 11 short stories which ones to read first. We started with "La Bamba;" it was an interesting story, particularly since most of my students are Hispanics. The students were able to identify with the most of the settings and characters. Other stories that the kids of any background will find interesting are: Two Dreamers--a story about a grand father and his grandson--; the girls will enjoy, Barbie and in fact all the short stories will connect with most adolescent. Gary Soto utilizes his Latino background to identify with his audience; in fact when he uses words such as "menso," the students would giggle and truly hear themselves calling a family member names. Bottom line, I fully recommend Gary Soto's Baseball in April, particularly if your students are a cultural diverse group. I assure you, they will thoroughly enjoy reading this collection of short stories.

Wow! Thats a lot of stories!Baseball in april has 11 differant stories. This book is about everyday things. It featuressports, love, school, and age. This book by Gary Soto is great in detail and strong emotion. Are you looking for a good book? Try this one!

The reason that I think this book is very good is because,of various reasons. One reason i think this book is very good is cause in the book the kids sound like they are having fun and its very realistic

The book Baseball in april and other stories is a book based on different stories in it. I think that it's a fun book to read for us teens because if you find the first story boring or you not interested in the story, you can go to the next story. I think books like that have different stories that relate to each other(I guess. There were only about three (3) stories that I didnt like or it was just boring to me.

My favorite story was a story called "broken chain". I liked it because it relates to me in different ways. I think this book was written by different young kids that experienced something new and wanted to write about it. but I also think that a young kid wrote about different days and letting the readers know how well or bad was his day.

The part when he explains that he has a date with aq girl and he goes and tells his brother about it. That part reminded me of my brother and my cousin because they always have a habit that if they meet agirl, they tell each other about it how she looks etc.

In the story "broken Chain" the main character of the book states " please! I'll do anything for you" iI love that quote because when I want something from my brother I always use that line sometimes it works, but there be times that he doesn't fault for it (lol)

Many of the stories that are in this book relate to me every time i read i think of a time that the line had related to me. So read the book to see if it also realated to you, I hope you like it!

I discovered Gary Soto's poetry in a public library in Nebraska. Then I read his short stories, my favorite being "Baseball in April." Like his poetry, these stories are beautiful in that they reveal a child's inner thought life; they also show the challenges that teenagers go through.

Soto takes us back to his childhood in California. The stories occur in sunny Fresno, which is in the Central Valley. The characters, dilemmas, and emotions that he evokes are so real that I often read them over saying, "Yes, I remember feeling like that."

I mostly read adult literature but have been reading a lot in young adult literature, because I often forget what it was like to be a young boy. Soto has a gift for recalling these events and making them come alive again. I've read this collection three times and have read all of Soto's poetry. I hightly recommend "Baseball in April," as well as the poetry collection "Black Hair."


Also recommended: The Gospel of Arnie

In the book Jesse by Gary Soto there are two boys, Able and Jesse. They have to chop cotton until they get better jobs. They make bad mistakes, but they fix them. They decided to chop cotton instead of becoming doctors. They were happy when their cousin, Leslie, came back from Vietnam.

Able saw a girl named Glenda and fell in love. Glenda let him come in her house and then Abal saw a crib and said "Do you have a baby"? Then she said "Yes". Next, Able said "Oh". Then they became good friends.

The book is good and tells that when you get older life is hard. It tells that sometimes what you think will happen does not come true when you're older.

The book, Jesse, by Gary Soto is about a Mexican boy and his brother Abel who are tryinng to go to college and pass. This a completey believable book. It has real life situations that would really happen to mostly Mexican families. They have an abusive stepdad who just drinks and thinks less of his kids, Jesse and Abel. They are trying to get to college and when they do it seem like the whole world is against Jesse, in love,work and college. In fact he notices that society is against the Mexicans in general for work and education. And during these hardships he has to get through somehow.

This book relates to me because of the hardships Mexicans and all immigrants are going through now because of prop HR4437.
In general the prop represents the people in the book Jesse.
just like the prop the people are against Mexicans. Somehow he will get through and so will we against prop HR4437.

Jesse is a story about a young Mexican American boy who moves out into the world with his brother Able. The story takes place during the time of the Vietnam War. The book discusses many challenges that Mexicans living in America face, even today. Jesse gets his money for junior college and food by working in the fields on the weekends, and also selling what other people consider garbage. Jesse is seventeen and is tired of his alcoholic stepfather and life at home, so he moves into an apartment and splits the rent with his brother. Jesse faces plenty of problems with school, girls, bullies, and more. However, throughout the book, Jesse remains a kind and deeply religious with a love of the beach, art, and his older brother.

The book Jesse. It was a very different to me to how differ from my culture to American is. Differences is make me think a lot of my past. I think I was had a very easy life with my teenage. I thank to my parants. But I don't remerber I was have any gender for my futures. I thnik the Jesse and his brother had a right choice for their future. And I hope they never give up for there dreams. I think this book is good for the who have no idear for the differens to been a poor or rich. I leand a lot of stuffs alike they have a not much choice of their meal. And they are worked hard and study but still they don't have a enough money for the extra stuff to do as like when they want to go to little vacations because they don't have a car so they have to looking for a ride and some how they never get to there but the Jesse and his brother is still happy to there little vacations I really like to there appreciation so I really recommend to young people and from a differen culture.

Reading Jesse was a good experience it helped me understand a little more on how my ethnicity group had to work to survive. It also helped me get my thoughts cleared about being a successful person. It not only showed what daily struggle Jesse faced but the lack of support from his mother. What I like about the book Jesse was how it showed Mexican children or teenagers working to make a living and to become something other than a field worker. There's nothing wrong with becoming a field it just should be for Mexicans. Mexicans should think about moving up.

What I didn't like about the book was that it really didn't go into detail for me. It need a little more action or adventure to it. It was just tell story after story or situation after situation. A little more action would have made it a great book and not just an ok book.

The reason I would recommend this book to other is because it came from a local and Hispanic writer. Gary Soto writes from out point of view what we go through what we suffer and what we have to detail. Its great to know that Gary Soto is a Hispanic provide. Recommending it only lets Hispanic know that have someone to be proud of.

My 95% Hispanic charter high school students (both male and female) enjoyed this book. They liked Lincoln and Mitsuo and said they'd like to go to Japan if given the opportunity. They thought the summer was best time,because they said they'd be scared that school would be too hard there. Two English as a Second Language students are anxiously awaiting the copy in Spanish read to be sure that they didn't miss anything crucial in the novel. I ordered it in December and it hasn't arrived yet.

Pacific crossing

I recommend this book to the people that like karate and people that like books about things that they do in China. In this book there are two friend named Lincoln and Tony. They live in San Francisco. Their principle asked them if they wanted to go to Japan, and they said that they would go. So they got on a jet and met two families that they will be live with for a little bit. When they got there they met the families and then got to work in the family's land. There was one other boy with Lincoln named Mistuo. They were friends for a long time. They learned many things about Chin. And their way of life they also went to school there and after 6 weeks, the two boys went back to their families.

It is a really good concept for a book - two boys spending the summer in Japan and if some of the ideas had been expanded, Crossing Pacific could have been a very interesting book. But instead it just skims over the surface, with no details to really interest the reader. There are no conflicts between Lincoln and his host family - they manage to speak impecable English. He teaches them American slang and practices kempo. There is no development of Mitsuo's interest in baseball or how they can all speak English so well. It might be interesting for younger students looking for a quick read, but if you want more details about a summer spent in Japan, look elsewhere!

I liked this book because it gives a sense of true being and grace. A Great read

A Review by Geoff

This book is about a boy named Lincoln and his friend Tony. They are two Mexican-American teenagers who live in San Francisco and get the opportunity to go to Japan on a foreign-exchange student program. Lincoln stays with Mr.Ono and his family and he studies martial arts with their son Mitsuo. Lincoln is very good and is trying to become a black belt. Lincoln and Tony have an amazing experience in Japan and they have a lot of fun. Lincoln and Mitsuo have lot's of fun and they both work hard in the families fields.

The first thing that I liked about this book was that it's really fun and the book has a fast pace so you don't get bored but it's not too fast so that you don't get lost. The second thing that I like about this book is that Mr.Ono is a big funny man who gives the book some good comic relief. The third thing I liked about this book were the characters because all of them seem so real like they are real people in some far off place in the east. The characters help paint a vivid picture of Japan.

I think that this book would appeal to people who want to enjoy a good martial arts foreign action book.