My Name Is Maria Isabel
We already have two Mariás in this class. Why don't we call you Mary instead?" So begins the first day at a new school for nine-year old Mariá Isabel Salazar Lopez, who is proud of her real name, and the Puerto Rican family heritage it represents. Mariá Isabel can't get used to the strange new name Mary Lopez, but she is shy and doesn't know how to tell her teacher. If that weren't enough, her mother gets a job and is no longer at home when Mariá Isabel finishes school each day. Mariá Isabel's struggle to adapt to changes, and to find her voice, is at the center of this inviting story exploring important issues of identity and understanding. ©1993 Cooperative Children's Book Center
Illustrated by K. Dyble Thompson
CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 7-9
Age Range:
PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7)
Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Format:
Novel
Subjects:
Change
Identity
Mothers
Puerto Ricans
Racism
School
Shyness
Teachers/Mentors
Diversity subject:
Latine
Publisher:
Atheneum
Publish Year: 1993
Pages: 57
ISBN: 0689315171
CCBC Location: Fiction, Ada