Book Description

Reviews (7)

A Great Book
I really like this book because you never know what is going to happen next. Also if you like books with varieties of stories then you should read this book as soon as you get it. There is also so much excitement in this great book, like characters get in twists and turns. Read how they get out of their troubles. All readers hear this: if you like excitement than this is the book for you!

This is a must read!
I am a college student attending Northern Michigan University in the Elementary Education program. I have read quite a number of books this semester and this has to be my favorite. While at first I was not crazy about reading a book that featured Mexican-Americans, I soon erased any doubt I had about the book. This book was not only about Mexican-Americans, it was about every single child that has grown up in the last twenty years. Mr. Soto has truly captured what it is like to grow up. The book talks about riding bikes, talking to girls for the first time, spending time with your grandparents, not having to go on the family vacation for the first time, and wanting to take karate lesson because you saw how cool karate could be. If you have trouble remembering what it was like growing up, read this book and you will remember everything that ever happened to you as a child.
What this book really hits on is that children grow up and have that same hopes and dreams that every other child in the world has. As a future teacher I would recommend this book to every teacher. While the book may not hold a significant academic value, it definitely holds a strong social value for children. It allows children to see that other children are going through the same exact thing they are. I commend Mr. Soto for publishing such a fine book that looks at the world in the simplest of ways; through a child's eyes.

A look at the spirit of children
Gary Soto reaches the soul of children and their day to day lives. My sixth graders in Minnesota were excied and drawn to all of the characters in his book and chose to keep reading. He touches the human spirit and stuggles so many have faced as middle school kids. Thumbs up and way to go Gary.

Good Collection
This is my first introduction to Gary Soto, and I must say that I enjoyed it. Most notable about these books is that they just follow the lives of the various characters in their stories who just happen to be Latino. Except for the glossary at the end of the book, this book was not written to "introduce" us gringo's to another culture. Rather, it's a book about boys and girls who have the same dreams and aspirations that are universal. These characters do not set out to change the world, but rather just get by day by day in the little space of earth that they inhabit. Very well done, perhaps written a bit simply at times, but for the most part, these stories are enjoyable.

Read this book, please.
It delivers a warm Mexican-American voice, and speaks to middle schoolers with great authenticity. My Mexican-American students who read this book have commented: "This book is about me, I can't believe how real it is." "Do you have more books by Gary Soto, I want to read them all." I never read a book like this before, it's so real." ... Read more

Amazon.com

Not many authors kill their main character on page two, but when Gary Soto does in The Afterlife the tactic results in a richly textured coming of age story. Chuy is a normal teenage guy, making his way in the barrios of Fresno, California, and hoping to impress a pretty girl. Carefully combing his hair in the restroom at Club Estrella, he only has a few moments to consider his "loverboy" strategy before his young life is (literally) cut short by a knife-wielding stranger who misinterprets a compliment.

Soon Chuy is floating above his bleeding body, embarking on a journey of personal exploration. As he drifts though his hometown (tightening his stomach muscles so as not to get blown off course) he manages to achieve many of the things he didn’t when he was alive--recognizing how much he is loved by family and friends, saving a life, punishing a thug, and even falling in love (with a ghost-girl who has committed suicide).

Soto has a knack for particularly apt comparisons ("the sun rose pink as a scar," "laundry hung like the faded flags of defeated nations,"), which brings beauty and clarity to this dangerous world of cholos and cabrones (and if you don’t know what those are, there’s a glossary in the back). Aside from a couple plot points left dangling, The Afterlife offers a tangibly detailed portrait of a young life worth living. (Ages 13 and older)--Brangien Davis ... Read more

Reviews (10)

The Ghost of Chuy
The book The Afterlife was a great description of what a person may encounter in their afterlife.At a school dance Chuy was stabbed three times by a strange man.From that point on the ghost of Chuy told the book and gave great description of how a person may act or what a person may do after they pass away.I thought that this was a great book that gave a person a good look of a different perspective of life and how or what we may encounter it after our human life on earth is over.Although the book seemed to get repetitive in the ending chapters I thought that is was well written.The main character, Chuy, certainly went through a life changing experience and was well developed in the novel.This is a great book that is though provoking and really triggers your mind.

I really wanted to like this book...
The problem with killing your main character off in the first chapter is that it usually doesn't leave room for much of a climax in the end.I wanted to like this book, it's a great concept!The first chapter is very gripping, however, I just wasn't impressed with anything that followed.While the book is short, it seems repetitive and boring.Furthermore, the characters are very distant and unconvincing.While the entire book is spent following Chuy's ghost and listening to his thoughts and feelings, I never get a feeling of who he really is/was.Another downfall of this book is all the Spanish words thrown into it.Luckily there is a glossary included in the back, but since I *had* to know the meaning of every Spanish word I came across, I was constantly flipping to the back of the book.While it's interesting to study languages and cultures, I don't really think the words added anything to the book and they slowed down the flow of the story.

he's done it again
i have always been a fan of gary soto, he is an amazing writter, so amazing i cant even describe it, byt he takes hispanic life and turns it into something beautiful so other people can truely see what our culture is about. hes done it yet again with this book the afterlife. I would strongly recommend that before reading this you read buried onions...a book about chuys cousin. in buried onions eddie tells us about jesus's death...and you find out who did it and what happened to them.

A New Way to Look at Death
Killed before his time, Jesus, or Chuy as they call him in Fresno, discovers that his life in not completely over.In a way, it has just begun!After his brutal murder, the wind carries Chuy's ghost all over the city to see his grieving friends and family, and even his killer.Along his journey, Chuy meets the ghost of a young girl who has committed suicide. Together they are able to come to terms with their deaths, say their goodbyes, and move towards the afterlife.

Another compelling novel by award-winning author Gary Soto.It is filled with love, loss, compassion, and even humor.Death is so unfamiliar to us all, that it is always interesting to see a new idea of what goes on in the afterlife.Like Chuy, do we really visit the people we care about, torment the people we hate, or fall in love with someone new?The Afterlife makes us look at death and life in a new and refreshing way.The book is slow at times and there are some unresolved issues, but that is the way it is in real life, and somehow it makes the story more believable. Without being too dark, it's a great read that makes you think.

Not as good as it sounds
The Afterlife by Gary Soto seems like a really twisted, new book from the review, but after reading the first few chapters you get bored. Everything seemed to take forever to happen, and the book really isn't that long. Chuy, the main character, is also pretty boring. True, he tells us about his life when he was alive and the neat things he did, but he whines a lot and he just isn't someone you would care about. He doesn't pop out of the book like some main characters do. What I did like about the book was the writer used spanish words added a glossary. Take it out of the library if you still want to read it, buy don't buy it. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Just like my grandparents
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.

First graders loved this silly story!
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. ... Read more

Book Description

On the mean streets of southeast Fresno, nineteen-year-old Eddie is just trying to get by. All he wants is to forget his violent past, hold down a job, and walk a straight line. But after his cousins murder, Eddie finds himselfslowly but inexorablydrawn back into the cycle of violence. . . . Set against the backdrop of a city sweltering in the grip of poverty, crime, and unfulfilled dreams, this is the unforgettable story of a young man struggling to survive in a world spiraling out of control.Unrelenting ... unsparing ... A valuable tale, its one that makes no concessions. Kirkus ReviewsSotos clear, finely honed poets voice shines in this tale of barrio life in Fresno, California ... wholly believable. ALA Booklist

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Reviews (30)

Brown is a favorite target
I think the book Buried Onions is a good one. I recommend this book to all teeagers. Gary Soto tells you what a Mexicano or Chicano have to live just because our skin is brown. I was raised in the town of Cicero and I know how living in the street is, I know that any day my life could be taken away. But, that is the risk I have to take when I am out there with my home boys. I also have to look out for the police because brown is one of their favorite targets to arrest or beat up. Life in my town is like Fresno. Some of the gangs are small, but there are some crazy home boys that just don't care if they take a life or two. Life is nothing easy, but you have to learn how to live it. Some times you have to throw down to get your respect, and sometimes you have to steal to survive, but that is life. Most of my home boys are drop outs and some didn't even start high school, but everybody chooses their own way of living. Some have jobs, but not careers. Some are professional thieves. I liked the way this book mixed Spanish and English together, that is the way I was raised and my homeboys, too. I liked that the book is written in realistic language. I liked the way the book ended. Sometimes that is the best thing to do, fly away with the wind.

You gotta read it
The book i read is Buried Onions. Buried Onions is a very great book that everyone would like to read. It's a book that you would get into and wanna go back and read it over and over. This was my frist time reading Buried Onions. I'm very happy that i did read it if i had another chance to read it i will. So anyone out there that wants to read a very good book you gotta read Buried Onions cause it's a book that you'll like. let me tell you a little something about it. It's about these young boys living in Fresno Califorina and that are in a gang. we'll Eddie wants to get out and better himself. He's asking God to come into his life. He was attening Fresno City College but things weren't going as good as he wanted to. So Mr. Stiles asked him if he wanted a job and was willing to dug holes and plant tress. He was going through a lot because his cuz had passed away and he wanted to find out who killed him and why? Did he ever find out? Yes he did ? But now its time for you to read it and find out who and why? So go and buy the book and read it!!!!!!!!

The review of Buried Onions
This is a good book in my eyes for a few diffrent reasons, one major reason is because it displayed alot of violence throghout the whole book and for me to sit and read a book to myself and stay focused is a very big accommplishment so Mr. Soto did a good job about that, even the first page talked about deaths in family and friends. Another reason this book was intresting to me is because I could relate to the broken down projects that these characters lived in as well as not having healthy food to eat and the robberiers,gangs, and beatings that went on, at times I even had flash backs of past problems in my life. One other reason that I injoyed this book was because throughout all the bad things that happened to certain people in the book they kept a high head and was successful in making it out of the pain and drama and that gives me something to look forward to in my life. Yes I would very much so recommend this book to others specifically to those who have trobles in there life and are looking for brighter days you will find it in this book and can maybe use it in your everyday life.

Burried Onions
Buried Onions is a story of a young immigrant with a goals to sucess. His name is Eddie, and he grew up in Fresno California. He lived in violent society where he has to learn how to survive. Even though he didn't want that for his life, he was expose to fight and defend his life many times. He recieved a pressure from his aunt to kill the person who kill his uncle. He had a strong feeling of hate the person who kill his uncle.
While he had a struggle all his life with bad economical situation, he had dreams. One of his dreams is success and he thought that be enroll in Army could be a good option for him. He wanted a exit from the violent world where he lived. He wanted to scape from his world. He had ansious to success. I think this book is a motivate book that show the reality world of the immigrant who work hard to success.

My reflection
Eddie is from Fresno, California. Eddie is good guy that has lots of problems in his life. Eddie has faced lots of deaths. Like his cousin was killed at a dnace, some guy wuth yellow shoes was the one that killed him. Eddie's cousin Jesus was the one that was stadd at the dance. Eddie had many problems after it all happened. Many problems with gangs and his family was not there with him when he needed them. His mother lived in Merced and he lived in Fresno. It was hard for him to go visit her, he didn''t have a car. He didn't have a good job. He would paint the crub's putting the address numbers. One day he met a Mr. Stiles that was working o his yard. He ask him if could give him a job helping him out clean and etc. Mr. Stiles gave him a job and he paid him good. One day Eddie was sent to the dump Mr. Stlies told him to the dump to dump some trush, so Eddie went on Mr. Stiles truck. Eddie was all happy that now he had a good job. After all that Eddie stoped at his house to get some water they he went back out side and the truck was not there.One of Eddie's best friends had came over from the Navy. Eddie's friend was also stadded in front of a place where they eat food. Jose was the one that got stadded, he told Eddied to join the Navy to start a new life and become a while man and become strong. Well Eddie then jion the NAVY to start his life over again. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (28)

Taking Sides book review
This novel is about this boy named Lincoln who needs to change different schools. The school he has to change is Franklin Jr. High to Columbus Jr. High. The characters are: Lincoln, James, Monica, Mom, Roy, Coach Yesutis, Tony, Mr. Kimball, Mrs. Contras. The setting is: about Lincoln and his mother that are living in a barrio that are kind of junky neighborhood. Then, they move to San Francisco in the suburbs. Then they moved because they got robbed.

During one part of the book, Lincoln meets this girl Monica. Lincoln has a crush on her. Monica has told Lincoln that she used to play for the girls' team. I liked it when Monica and Lincoln had a connection, and they played basketball together.

It was difficult to understand why Roy liked Lincoln's mom. I didn't enjoy when Lincoln lied to Monica about going to a different church. Monica got mad. I also didn't like when someone broke in his house.

I recommend this book to others because you get to learn about Lincoln's life and how hard it is for his family. You can see how it is for his family and how easy it is for us. You probably don't get robbed every day like Lincoln and his mom.

Taking Sides Book Report
Taking side is about a boy named Lincoln who once lived in Barrio but moved to a nicer neighborhood called Sycamore becasue of a robbery in his house, which his stero and t.v. were stolen. He change schools from Franklin Jr. High to Columbus Jr. High. Lincoln was tall, not thin, black hair(like chunk of charcoal). In the story he has a nickname Linc. Lincoln was on the 1st string in basketball for his 8th grade team and good friends w/ James. His parents are split up and he is having a hard time finding friend because he just moved from a school that people don't really like. I would definately recommend this book to others who like to read a good book.

Audio Book Review for Ms. O
The story deals with moving, cultural differences and basketball. The main charactar is Lincoln Mendoza or as what his friends say, Linc. He moves from the bario to a white suburb because a burgler
took a tv. He used to play basketball for his oldschool(Columbus) and now plays for his new school(Franklin)and they have to play each other. He is becomes stressed out because he is playing against his old school and some of his old friends. As the game nears he gets into an arguement with one of his friends. On the night of the game he plays and loses. He doesn't mind because he made up with his friend that he argued with. I liked this book because the characters speak their native language, Spanish. It kept the feeling of a Hispanic-American community authentic.

Taking Sides
This novel is about Lincoln who goes to a new school. Lincoln likes to play basketball. He lives in a nice neighborhood called Sycamore. Lincoln and Tony are both friends.
I liked it when Lincoln and Tony were going to the barrio. I like that part when Lincoln's house got broken into. Lincoln was the basketball practice.
I did not like that part when Lincoln and Tony were arguing. I did not like that part when Tony left the Thrift shop. I also did not like that part when Lincoln hurt his knee.
YES! I would like other people to read a book because it's so much fun. There are Spanish words in the book. They like to read about the 2 boys playing basketball.

Taking Sides
I read a book called Taking Sides, written by Gary Soto. It's about Lincoln and Tony being best friends and Lincoln had a girl friend named Vicky. At this new school he liked somebody named Monica. Lincoln likes playing basketball.

I liked the part when Franklin beat Columbus in basketball. I like the part when Roy told a story about Coach Yesutis getting beat up by Franky Penada. I liked the part when Monica and Lincoln played basketball. I liked the part when Lincoln called Monica on the phone, because it is obvious that Lincoln liked Monica.

I didn't like it when Tony was hurting Lincoln's feelings at the thrift shop. The parts I didn't like are Tony's attitude. The dislike I didn't like was Coach Yesutis was yelling at Lincoln. The other part I didn't like was when James insulted Monica saying she's full Mexican.

I would recommend this book to others because if you know Spanish it will be easier for you. I would recommend this book, Taking Sides, because you can learn some Spanish words. I would recommend this book because it tells about basketball. I would also recommend this book because it shows relationship to Monica and Lincoln. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great Book
I am an elementary education major and I used this book to examine the book contents for educational value and also to see if children would like it. I loved it and bought it! I also work at a daycare when I am not in school and I used it for "class time" and had them (3 -5 year old children) draw anything about the book and they drew tamales, diamond rings, and the girl looking out the window of her house. They totally caught on to the story. I would recommend this book to everyone no matter the age of the children.

Too Many Tamales
Too Many Tamales is an excellent book that portrays the traditions and celebrations in a Latino family. Tamales are the traditional Christmas food in Latino families. This book is about a mother and daughter making Tamales during the christmas season. Somehow the daughter losses her mother's ring while making the Tamales. Could it be in the Tamales? A wonderfully vivid story with great illustrations. ... Read more

Book Description

For Fernie and his best friend, the fun begins when they are babies who crawl across the lawn towards each other, away from their parents' watchful eyes. And once they find each other, they are inseparable.

Together, they grow to be the self-proclaimed artistic geniuses and master athletes of their school. But they do admit to being losers at spelling bees and camping out. And when it comes to romance, well, if waltzing with a broom in the kitchen or sporting glowing orange socks to a school dance counts, these guys are cool.

Gary Soto's original poems and Regan Dunnick's clever illustrations will spark recognition in all middle-schoolers who've gone through the humiliation of sports try-outs and first dances; who've had to deal with body images and swinging moods. Each of the poems in this book shows a scene from their sometimes difficult, sometimes comical lives growing up together as best friends. Even though they don't have everything in common, they both know that at least they're in it together. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (2)

A great book to use in the classroom when teaching poetry.
This book was a fantastic support when teaching 5th graders to move beyond "recipe" poetry.The ode structure helps them find the poetry in their day to day experiences.They thoroughly enjoyed listening to GarySoto's odes, and were eager to write their own.

A great book to use in the classroom when teaching poetry.
This book was a fantastic support when teaching 5th graders to move beyond "recipe" poetry.The ode structure helps them find the poetry in their day to day experiences.They thoroughly enjoyed listening to GarySoto's odes, and were eager to write their own. ... Read more

Amazon.com

"Chato, a low-riding cat with six stripes, wasslinking toward a sparrow when he heard the scrape of tiny feetcoming from the yard next door." You get the idea. Chato is asly, mustachioed "cool cat" from an East Los Angelesbarrio. The tiny feet? Those belong to the new mice(ratoncitos) next door--"five mice the color of grayriver rock," to be precise. Chato promptly invites them overfor dinner, in exactly the sense you might fear.

"That Chato cat seems muy simpatico, very nice, I'msure," says Papi mouse. The mice (being cheese lovers) spendthe day making quesadillas for the fiesta, while Chato and hisbest friend Novio Boy busily prepare side dishes for a meal conratoncitos. Instead of the anticipated gruesome ending, asurprise twist is in the works.

Gary Soto, author of Too Many Tamales,is brilliantly witty, and Chato's Kitchen--an ALA NotableBook and a Parents' Choice Award Winner--is trulymarvilloso. Susan Guevera's comical, deliciously detailed,richly colored depictions of the creatures are priceless as well,earning her the 1996 Pura Belpre Award for Illustration. Aculinary concoction that no youngster (or adult) will be able toresist. (Ages 4 to 8) ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Every kid should have this book read to them!
What a great story! I have read this book to my 4th grade class and they love it. It's for children of all ages. The illustrations are outstanding and as usual Gary Soto is very entertaining.

A wonderful book that relates to the Hispanic culture.
I really think this book is great because there were so many things in the book that remind me of my life as I was growing up as a child. I really like the language that is used in the story because it entangles a little of the Bilingual language with English. I read this book to my students and it was a big hit with them. They read it over and over again every day. I asked some of them why they liked it so much and many of them responsded that they could relate to the story line in one way or another. The school that I teach at it predominantly Hispanic and so this book has really touched base with all of my students in one way or another. I hope that Gary Soto never quits writing these kinds of wonderful books!

Sleek and sophisticated
A remarkably original book. The illustrations are well wrought, and the story contains some of the most evocative I've heard in a picture book. Describing Novio Boy's collar, the book says it was, 'a leather one with real gems that sparkled at night when cars passed in the street'. The cats themselves are a twinge odd. Drawn with cat bodies but human eyes, teeth, and moustaches, they are just disturbing enough to keep the pictures interesting. It's a colorful book as well, full of beautiful swirling scenes and bold shapes. The use of Spanish throughout the text is seamless as well, never striking the reader as out of place or jarring. This book would read well with other stories that incorporate more than one language in their text. Or, kids could read it with other picture books that take place in Hispanic communities. Or, it could be paired with other stories where hungry preying animals fail to get a meal. A beautiful book to read aloud to groups.

Nice children's book
The book "Chato's Kitchen" is designed for the age group 4-8. It's the story of a cat, Chato, who has some culinary plans involving the harmless mouse family next door. There are quite a number of Spanish words--and this, I think, adds a rather exotic touch to the book. However, some of the English words are beyond the vocabulary of an average 8 year-old, and this may inhibit readability. The characters and the plot allow for a great deal of acting out if one reads the book aloud.

Another Gary Soto hit!!!
Any controversy surrounding this book is misplaced. It is a well-written story that entices children to want to to read it and other books. Rarely is there such a fine blending between the words of the author and the pictures of the illustrator. My students love this book and read it again and again. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Street Review
Living Up the Street is a great book. If you like to read about people and how their everyday lives affect them this book is for you. When I picked up the book it did not sound that interesting. But when I finished the first chapter I knew the book was going to be good. It is interesting to read about the main character, Gary, a Mexican boy, and how he grows up and deals with life living in Fresno. The book is based back in the 60's and 70's. It was interesting to read about how different life was for people back then and how hard it was for Gary and his family. Gary grows up learning valuable lessons throughout the book. Living Up the Street is an interesting way to look at someone's life as they grow up and mature.

Don't Bother
Being one of the hundreds of students who have grown up in Fresno and been made to read the "works" of Gary Soto, I am not unfamiliar with his work nor with Fresno in general. The book is without plot, sequence, or continuity. In one chapter he is at one school, then a different, then back to the first. Further more it is inconsistent. He tells the story of his poor Mexican family in Fresno, and yet many times he writes of drinking Kool-Aid, watching Father Knows Best, and engaging in other activities not characteristic of the underprivileged. Full of awkward analogies and metaphors it is an insult to the intelligence of anyone who possesses the ability to walk and breath at the same time. For a more exciting read, I suggest browsing words in the dictionary, "Monotonous" is a great one.

Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down~
When I picked up the book to read for the first time, I was pleased with the sequence of things, but as I read further I became more and more frustrated with the book. I like Gary Soto's work and in general loved the book, but it would have been better kept in essay format rather than clumped up in a novel that had no order other than Gary's age.

Living Up the Street
Living Up the Street is one of the many books published by Gary Soto. Many of the books that he writes are about some childhood past experiences. It tells about his ups and downs that he went through as a child. Not all of the situations are from his childhood, but many are. Knowing the beginning of the book, a few events, and what I thought of the book will give you a better understanding of the book and how interesting it is. The book begins by introducing three children that will be the main characters throughout the book. These children are Rick 6, Chango 5, who is also the narrator in the book, and Debra 4. Basically the beginning the book tells about how the family struggles in life and how their mom, when angry, takes a belt to the children when they did inappropriate things. The first event that takes place is when their mom has to leave to go somewhere and someone else was supposed to watch the three children. The children thinking they could manage on their own got to stay home by themselves. The children liked to play with fire so they did make a fire and ended up burning some items in the house and they also had a tomato fight which made the house a complete mess. When their mom came home she was very angered by what they did. Another event that took place at the beginning deals with their father. Their father was a good man and a hard working one too. Their father was going to start to do some work on the house so he and his family could have better living conditions. One day their father got a head injury at work and he had to be taken to the hospital. There he stayed and two days later he ended up dying from the head injury. The whole family was sad to see him die. One thing that he was doing before he died was putting up a fence at home. The family did was got together and put the fence up themselves. They knew the father would have loved this. Those are just a few events that happen in this book. I do not want to tell the rest because then you would not have to read the book to see what happens. Basically the idea of the book to me is that the family starts out struggling, going through hard times and later they get everything together and become a good family who is doing very well compared to what they had been doing before. This book should be read by many people that like to know about how families are, what they do in bad situations, and how they make it through the bad times. Now that you know the beginning of the book, a few events that took place, and what I thought of the book you might just want to go read the book. It is one that is definitely should be read. You will enjoy it. It is not a very difficult book to read. There are not very many pages

A Must For A Teen....
I purchased this book about two weeks ago and it's probably the only book that I've enjoyed reading. While most stories are either too grim of too happy, this book offers both. This book tells about Gary Soto's ups and downs throughout his childhood, adolescence and even adult life. A book that anyone can relate to in one way or another, I would recommend it to anyone who wants to read something that is realistic yet a joy to read. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

Amazon.com

What a treat: an honest-to-goodness play! Budding actors and drama coaches will enjoy this lighthearted story about the awkwardness and excitement of young love in a Mexican American community. Perhaps the word "enjoy" is an understatement ... I do believe that young actors will have a hard time not laughing along with the audience once the curtain goes up. Gary Soto, author and poet extraordinaire, breaks a leg with this fast-paced, delightful look at dating from both the male and female perspectives. The transcendent theme and its helpful glossary of Spanish words and phrases will give this play broad appeal. Bravo! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

MUY BUENO!
Gary S. has done it again with this charming enertaining "sweetheart of a play" peopled with appealing characters. It's easy to feel for Rudy and his pre-date angst. I recommend this to anyone who has ever been a teen and/or has ever been in love, whether male or female, Latino or Anglo. MUY BUENO! Author! Author!

Awesome comparison to Romeo and Juliet for lower readers
This is an excellent resource for comparisons to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. I would recommend it to educators looking for an optional play to use with low level readers at the high school age. It is high on the interest scale due to the coming of age theme along with the addition of interesting family relationships to add to the similarities. A wonderful addition to a classroom library anywhere.

Novio Boy, a play, is not worth the time to read.
Novio Boy is a play that has no point or any main idea to the subject. It is really easy to read. That makes it look like a five year old can write something better. The play mainly focuses on a hispanic boy discovering the world of girls. I did not like this book and I would only recommend this writing by Gary Soto to readers that likes to read about any plays.

Exciting story of the life of a Hispanic teenage boy.
This book would definately appeal to readers ages 9-12. The book has a great storyline and does a good job of using 90's slang that would keep younger readers wanting to read more. I would not recomend this novel to anyone high school age or older.

A boy who is in high school and has typical teenage experien
This book really does not get boring. It makes you want to read more so you find out what happens or what is going to happen. What also makes it fun to read is that it is very up to date and the slang is excellent! This play by Gary Soto tells you what a "teenage date" with a girl is really all about. ... Read more

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Excellent for Classroom!
If you know Soto's work, then you can rest assured this is another excellent example of the magic he creates with the written word. The Hispanic family is representative of the culture and values. Fifth graders (even though the reading level is lower) in my classroom, and especially my ESL students, enjoy the book. Soto has packed the book with colorful similies and this lends well for Writing Worshop. ... Read more

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New life
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.

Jesse
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.

One Dream Of Freedom
Jesse is a 17 teen year old man who just moved out with his older brother Abel. He is attending Fresno State University. Abel and Jesse are afraid of the Vietnam War. They don't want to be drafted and then the pressures of school. They work on a farm where they pluck and pull whatever is in season. Abel does end up getting drafted and Jesse wants to go enlist so he can protect his older brother. Jesse's friend Jesus tells him not to go. Jesse listens to Jesus and goes back to his field labor job. I think this can relate to young man going through a dysfunctional family. As a side affect of that he has problems with girls. He has confusion about goals in his life.

Jesse
This book is about two Mexican brothers,Jesse and Abel who are tired of struggling to be abel to live the next day. They both work long hours in cotton and grape fields to be abel to put themselves through college, but no matter hard they try things always get in their way.

Recommendations:
I think that i would recommend this book to everyone adults and my peers.
I would like my peers to read this book because it would help them to see that no matter who or what comes in their wat , never give up but keep on going because if it is for the good it will only make you a better person.

This story touched my life
This is a beautifully written and poignant story about 17 year old Jesse, a Mexican-American boy coming of age during the turmoil of the Vietnam War. I was inspired by Jesse's optimism and charmed by his innocence and simplicity. Despite his poverty and family difficulties, Jesse aspires to get an education and become an artist. By the end of this book, I felt that I knew Jesse and that he had become a friend. ... Read more

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"There's nothing like a wedding, and this book about a wedding is not quite like any other....Maya, the flower girl, is the lens through which the action is seen. All of the fun of a wedding is here: the altar boy with the dirty sneakers under his gown, Maya putting pitted black olives on each of her fingers, the kids whacking each other with balloons....The choice of three dimensional artwork was inspired."-- Booklist (starred review)"The text, sprinkled with Spanish words, is eloquent and funny -- and it deftly captures the flavor of a Latino wedding, compete with Mariachi band. Garcia's singular, deliciously creative artwork...[is] eye-catching."-- Publishers Weekly (starred review)"This is an unusually appealing book that will have broad appeal."-- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A fun point of view
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.

good but, casual reference to alcohol not for specified age
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.

Excellent portrayal of a Mexican-American wedding!
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. ... Read more

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Chato—the coolest cat in the barrio—loves to party. So when he learns thatNovio Boy has never had a birthday party, Chato decides to throw him a surprisepachanga. He gets right to work—inviting everyone in the neighborhood,cooking up a feast, arranging for music and a piñata, and even ordering a specialcake. Chato’s sure that he’s thought of everything. But when it comes time for the party,he realizes that he forgot the most important thing of all—Novio Boy! With a lively textfeaturing Spanish words throughout, and bright, bold artwork, this sequel to Chato’sKitchen is truly a cause for celebration. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Hello kitty
Chato's back. Having learned his lesson from his encounter with the mice in "Chato's Kitchen" this kitty cat is now at peace with every animal he encounters. So much so, in fact, that he is quite the partier. While attending the birthday celebration of the dog Chorizo, Chato discovers a sad fact about his buddy Novio Boy. Originally from the pound, Novio Boy never knew his mother and never had an official birthday. That's all the info Chato needs as an excuse to throw for Novio Boy one of the biggest birthday celebrations ever. He hires a dj, buys tons of food and presents, even purchases a gigantic blow-up dog to fight with. As the guests arrive, however, one fact remains alarmingly clear. Novio Boy was never invited to his own party! After some scrambling and a mistaken death everything turns out for the best and Novio Boy has one of the best pachangas a cat could hope for.

If you've never read a book that combines the effortless writing style of Gary Soto with the eye-popping grandeur of Susan Guevara, you're in for a treat. Like "Chato's Kitchen" this book provides a useful Spanish/English glossary for quick referencing. Spanish words pop up in appropriate places, never sounding forced or out of sync with the storyline. But illustrator Guevara has truly outdone herself here. In the previous Chato book the crazy energy and color of life was remarkable but not overwhelming. Here, on the other hand, Guevara's pulled out all the stops. From the guardian angel-like imagery of Novio Boy's mother that flies, unseen, from picture to picture, to Chorizo's beret and the repetitive phrase (which I loved ) "We are not a minority" that appears in a couple scenes in the background, this book has it all. Best of all is the moment in which each character (thinking Novio Boy dead) stands and thinks of what they liked best about him. As they do, Novio Boy appears on each person's head, acting out their compliments. Guevara also has a sense of movement that allows each character to slouch, run, relax, or dance in a natural free flowing way. It's a talent most illustrators pray they'll attain in their lifetimes.

Some people might be put off by the energy and dynamics in this book. If so, I am truly sorry. My advice would be to flip through this book to make sure you're up to the challenge of reading it to your kids. After all, if your reading style is flat and colorless, this is not the book to put your children to bed with. You are, in fact, unworthy of the text. If instead, however, you have a sense of style and flair that can match this eloquent book, definitely seek it out. Honestly, you've never seen anything like this before.

Party on, Chato!
"Chato and the Party Animals" is a fun children's book by Gary Soto. The story is superbly complemented by Susan Guevara's illustrations. The book opens with a Spanish-English glossary. The text is in English, with Spanish words from the glossary ("comida," "el barrio," etc.) blended in.

Chato is a cat -- described as a "party animal since he was a kitten." But he's also a caring cat, and the story's plot is set into motion when Chato comes up with an idea to cheer up Novio Boy, a friend of his who is feeling sad.

"Chato" is really hilarious. In addition to the Spanish words, Soto spices up the dialogue by having the cats call each other "dude" and "Homecat." The story involves a nice mix of silliness and warmth, and ultimately celebrates friendship. Guevara's outrageous, colorful pictures are full of energy and packed with surreal details. Definitely something out of the ordinary, and something special.

Great Use of Language!
This book is great on so many levels. I read it with students I tutor and they requested it again and again. At the end of the year I gave them each a copy as a gift. Both of them opened it and got wide-eyed as they saw what it was! One of them said, "This is my favorite book ever!" This was wonderful to hear from a kid who started out so reluctant to read. The story is great on so many levels; there is a message of friendship that is not sappy, but very sincere. Soto also skillfully weaves in the culture of the barrio with his use of Spanish and Mexican themes. What a lovely story.

Fun, tender story of friendship, awesome pictures
Novio Boy is a tough kitty, but he does have one soft spot. He comes from the pound. He never knew his mami, and since he doesn't know when his birthday is, he's never had a party. When his best friend Chato realizes how sad this makes him, he decides to throw him a huge birthday party. This is a delightfully fun story of community and friendship. Soto cleverly intertwines Spanish and English, bringing in slang from both languages, creating a cool, hip atmosphere. These homecats kick back and say things like, "he was muy kind," and "the coolest carnal in all the barrio." The language gives us a true taste of barrio spanglish. When Soto's deliciously funny words marry Guevara's festively vibrant acrylic illustrations, the story truly becomes alive. ... Read more

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