A Kid's Guide to Latino History

August 1, 2009
Gr 3-7-History and hands-on activities introduce children to the Latino cultures that are shaping our society. The book addresses a broad historical scope, from pre-Columbian culture in the Americas to present-day debates about undocumented immigration to the United States. Petrillo does not shy away from the thorny aspects of this debate, and she gives both sides their due. Her simple, direct prose clearly explains events and issues in language elementary-school students can understand. Interesting informational sidebars are included; for example, "Sea to Shining Sea" explains how Spanish words such as "barbacoa" (barbecue) and "rodeo" entered American English. The more than 50 activities, games, and crafts help to bring Latin American cultures to life. Children can learn how to dance the "merengue", celebrate Christmas Mexican-style by making "farolitos" (lanterns), and more. The book focuses on the most dominant Latino groups in the United States; Mexican Americans, Puerto Rican Americans, Cuban Americans, and Dominican Americans all get their own chapters. But Petrillo does an outstanding job of illustrating the rich variety within Latino cultures by describing how Central and South Americans contribute to United States culture and economy. An excellent resource for enriching children's understanding of these cultures."Mary Landrum, Lexington Public Library, KY"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2009
Grades 4-8 This big, lively overview examines the history of Latinos in the U.S. Chapters on Americans from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Central America, and South America explore where Latinos came from, why they left, and their experience in the U.S., past and present. Some of the material is aimed at teachers to provide curriculum support, but the chatty, informative text, presented in readable, spacious layouts, will draw kids with lots of fun, illustrated instructions for related activities, such as making crafts, dancingmerengue, celebrating Cinco de Mayo, or writing a short storyfilled withmagical realism. Up-to-date lists of books, movies, museums, and Web sites offer further opportunities for students tofind out more on their own. Together, the accessible facts and the individual portraits of notable authors, athletes, entertainers, and politicans portray Latinos rich contribution to U.S. heritage, and kids will want to talk about the well-presentedissues, from Columbus discovery of the New World to hot contemporary topics, such asbilingual education and undocumented immigration.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)