Yes! We Are Latinos: Poems and Prose About the Latino Experience Paperback – Illustrated, March 1, 2016

Until you start reading this book you have no way of knowing about the rich and detailed history it provides including the short and intimate stories. Starting with the arrival of strangers to the United States, how traditions were established, the arrival of illnesses, the importance of language, etc., you will find it hard to put this book down. In between the history and facts so easy to read and understand, are the stories of Latina/os told through their childhood memories.Here is a sample from one short story in the book entitled, "My Name is Jose Miguel-Not Joe, Not Mike". Jose Miguel's teacher keeps asking him to "blend in" and use "Joe" or "Mike" in class. Jose Miguel's response is: "Do you know who Cervantes is, Mr. Tate?" I asked him politely. Don Miguel de Cervantes or Miguel de Unamuno or Miguel Hernandez? Look them up, Mr. Tate. I was very sure to keep my tone soft, my words polite. Google them. Then you would know why I can't be called Mike."Adelante! Yes, these stories are the truth, the real reason why some of us are afraid of migration, immigration, documentation and any other means of newly arrivals returning to the land that was taken as a "war prize". A large percentage of these children will sit in positions some day passing laws and in control of our well being.

I have always wanted a book like this that explains to Californians in particular the differences and similarities among Latinos. We live in such a diverse land. This book celebrates and inspires and illustrates those differences beautifully while encouraging unity among all of us. Thank you to Alma Flor Ada and F. Isabel Campoy, and David Diaz the wonderful illustrator of the lino cutouts. This book will inspire students to write about themselves - to find their own voice. This has been Alma Flor Ada's gift to children for some time and she does it supremely well in this book. This book is also personally important to me since my own granddaughter is a marvelous mixture of at least four cultures and she will gain from reading this book.

I loved it. It is such a complete book written with love, imagination and knowledge of the Latino heritage. It is also educational and all around FUN. Original in its conception and unique in the way it presents facts about us Latinos, any child, any person reading this book is going to feel VERY PROUD of being a Latino. Our culture is profound and varied. And is presented as such. I also praise the choice of illustrator. I say: YES, WE ARE LATINOS.

Learned a lot of history that I would otherwise have been oblivious to since it isn't taught in school here in America. The poems and stories are really nice, touching and full of pride.Lovely book.

I bought this book at a Writer's Conference and use it in a class of Latino students born in the states. The writing is clear, interesting and fun. My students enjoy it.

Great book! great delivery.

Yes! We are Latinos belongs on every essential reading list of Latino children’s literature, as is often true of books co-authored by the acclaimed duo of Alma Flor Ada and Isabel Campoy. No single work can cover every expression of Latino life in the United States, yet this book for middle-grade readers provides a generous glimpse of historical, cultural, ethnic, and linguistic aspects of the community. The authors’ approach pairs thirteen character vignettes, written as monologues in free verse, with matching expository sections of historical and cultural information. Collectively, the alternating sections deliver vivid, easily digestible insights into what is meant by Latino. There is no single Latino identity, the characters seem to say, and each of us is worthy of your attention.The authors’ commitment to showing a wide representation of Latino life comes through in the vignettes. The featured characters reflect a generous range of ethnic and regional groups, some of which speak no Spanish, mirroring the fact that many Latinos come from bicultural and transnational families. In one vignette, we meet Susana, a Sephardic girl who lives in San Francisco. In another, we’re introduced to Dominican-born Santiago, who now calls Detroit home.Sometimes young Latin@s would love nothing better than to break away from traditions they consider too confining. The story of Gladys, a Puerto Rican living in Philadelphia, is the best example of this. She watches the preparations for her sister’s quinceañera, expecting that before long her mother will want to start planning Gladys’s “quinces.” But Gladys’s dreams are pulling her in another direction, toward college.Julio is from a farm migrant family originating in Teotitlán del Valle, a village in Oaxaca, Mexico. Like other members of his original indigenous community, Julio speaks Zapotec. When his family moves to Stockton, California, he must navigate two foreign languages, English and Spanish, in order to function in a primarily Spanish-speaking Chicano community, within a mainstream American setting. He’s adjusting to life in the new country, but still looks back on his homeland with longing and pride, recalling the beautiful and prized tapestries that Teotitlán’s weaving looms are known for.In one pair of monologues, two Latinas with Asian backgrounds form a friendship. Lili is a Guatemalan of Chinese descent, whereas Mikito’s heritage is Japanese and Peruvian. The families of both girls passed through multiple immigration journeys. In the educational follow-up, we learn about waves of Asian immigrants that landed on the shores of South and Central American countries and the descendants of these immigrants who eventually drifted northward. The section on Japanese Latinos reveals a troubling detail of American history: Wartime internment camps built to contain Japanese Americans also held Japanese families who were deported at the urging of the United States by the Latin American countries where they resided. In these internment camps, Japanese Latinos often found themselves socially isolated, since they spoke only Spanish and few others in the camp could communicate with them.The factual sections that follow the monologues highlight each character’s nation of origin. In Santiago’s case, it’s the Dominican Republic. A brief review of the island-nation’s history includes important facts about the Trujillo dictatorship, although the achievements of outstanding Dominicans receive greater attention. These include acclaimed novelists Julia Alvarez and Junot Díaz, haute-couture fashion designer Oscar de la Renta, and professional baseball players David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez.Spot illustrations by Caldecott medalist and Pura Belpré winner David Díaz add a striking, black-and-white counterpoint to the text. His signature style, evident in the dozens of children’s books that he has illustrated, often features silhouetted figures in profile, with elongated, almond-shaped eyes that suggest indigenous art from the Americas, tastefully adapted for contemporary young readers.Outmoded characterizations of Latino life give everyone the same background, the same history, the same traditions and tastes. This book’s emphasis counteracts generalizations and brings forward Latinos’ complexity. In each vignette, the authors touch on multiple elements, including the scattered geographic settings where the characters live, the varied occupations their parents work in, and the traditions their families celebrate. Yes! We Are Latinos offers an important and long overdue contribution to children’s literature.

Alma Flor Ada is such a blessing to the Latino community. I remember reading so many of her books while studying for my MSeD in Literacy. My favorite book was always "My Name Is Maria Isabel". It is still my very favorite but this compilation is a close second!A rainbow of Latino identities is showcased in this book that even as a Colombian-American I didn't know about! I welcomed learning more about the Sephardic Jews, Chinese & Japanese presence. The poems are great to use individually with students especially the extra information provided after each piece. I would recommend this book for children at 4th grade level and up for independent reading and 2nd grade level if you are reading to them. I would also recommend this for any multicultural library.Thank you Alma!