America Is Her Name

Last updated Monday, January 5, 2004

Author: Luis J. Rodriguez
Illustrator: Carlos Vazquez
Date of Publication: 1998
ISBN: 1880684403
Grade Level: 5th
Date(s) Used: January 2004

Synopsis: Nine-year-old America Soliz is an illegal immigrant of Mexican-Indian heritage living in the violence-ravaged Pilsen barrio of Chicago. Feeling unwelcome in her new country, she yearns to return to her native Oaxaca.

Discussion topics:

• Have you ever "lost" your voice? What does that mean?
• Where are you or your parents from?
• Would you like to live somewhere else?
• Talk about the concepts of harmony, and tolerance

Craft ideas:

• Write a poem or short story about your experiences
• Draw a picture of your barrio, and tell the story of the picture.
• Write a short story about a place you miss or want to visit.

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don’t have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!