Published by Chronicle Books
Summary: Yenebi and her younger sister Melanie get woken up at 4:00 a.m. to begin their trip to school. On the road with Mami and Melanie, Yenebi confronts her archenemy: la línea, the line of cars waiting to cross the border. Will they wait two or three hours this morning? Mami and Yenebi debate while Melanie sleeps. Then Mami says the magic words, “hora de desayunar!” It’s time to decide what to buy for breakfast, choosing from the vendors all around them. They enjoy chicken tamales as they get closer to the border. After showing their papers to the stern border patrol agent, they’re finally in the United States and on their way to school. It’s 7:00 a.m., right on schedule, and when they finally get to school, Yenebi is feeling wide awake. “Estoy listo,” she declares, ready for her day. Includes an author’s note about her own experiences crossing the border to go to school. Available in English and Spanish (El viaje de Yenebi a la escuela). 40 pages; grades K-4.
Pros: I plan to pair this book with 9 Kilometers as an introduction to the lengths some kids have to go to to get to school. Yenebi is pretty cheerful about her long drive, and Sendy Santamaria beautifully portrays the sense of community she experienced from this daily journey. I’ve added this to my back to school book list.
Cons: I wondered what Mami did all day, since I assume she would have to take her daughters home after school.
Summary: Yenebi and her younger sister Melanie get woken up at 4:00 a.m. to begin their trip to school. On the road with Mami and Melanie, Yenebi confronts her archenemy: la línea, the line of cars waiting to cross the border. Will they wait two or three hours this morning? Mami and Yenebi debate while Melanie sleeps. Then Mami says the magic words, “hora de desayunar!” It’s time to decide what to buy for breakfast, choosing from the vendors all around them. They enjoy chicken tamales as they get closer to the border. After showing their papers to the stern border patrol agent, they’re finally in the United States and on their way to school. It’s 7:00 a.m., right on schedule, and when they finally get to school, Yenebi is feeling wide awake. “Estoy listo,” she declares, ready for her day. Includes an author’s note about her own experiences crossing the border to go to school. Available in English and Spanish (El viaje de Yenebi a la escuela). 40 pages; grades K-4.
Pros: I plan to pair this book with 9 Kilometers as an introduction to the lengths some kids have to go to to get to school. Yenebi is pretty cheerful about her long drive, and Sendy Santamaria beautifully portrays the sense of community she experienced from this daily journey. I’ve added this to my back to school book list.
Cons: I wondered what Mami did all day, since I assume she would have to take her daughters home after school.