5 comments about Nobody's Son: Notes from an American Life (Camino Del Sol: a Latina and Latino Literary Series).

1. Luis Urrea is the John Steinbeck of the border, offering a nostelgic, heartfelt, first-person experience of what it is like to grow up in two cultures, two cities (Tijuana and San Diego) and two worlds. He writes with passion, heart, and a gift for words in two languages.



2. Luis Alberto Urrea is among the finest living writers. He has written about the border in three books. Nobody's Son is the latest. But he is not regional, not limited to a single geographic area. In Nobody's Son he moves from Tijuana and San Diego, to the Southwest, and further north to the high plains, in what amounts to a continuing journey. A journey across the land, through memory, in exploration of spirit. Urrea's story is uniquely American--the child of a Waspy, Wonder Bread white mother and a muy macho! Mexicano father, his is the story of those differences that divide us and yet hold us inevitably together. He is America's best kept secret, its soul.



3. All his stories are written from his soul. They always have been. I wish that I could have taken the pain away from his childhood. I'm glad that I have known him. I wish him much success in all he does. I knew he was a great writer. I'm glad others are seeing how good he is now!



4. From multinational beginnings impossibly diverse, Urrea leads us on a journey that explores how he became what he is, an American writer of the first order. Sometimes poignant, sometimes hilarious, always heartfelt, it is a wonderful journey for the reader. Before he can write from the heart, an author must first know his heart. Luis Urrea knows his, and shares it with us beautifully.



5. Nobody's Son: Notes From An American Life by Luis Alberto Urrea (who teaches creative writing at the University of Illinois, Chicago) is the deeply personal memoir of an American born to a Mexican father and an Anglo mother. Recounting a childhood thrust in the middle of different cultures and languages, Nobody's Son is about the search for balance, about coping with division and borders, and about the pain as well as the joy of being multicultural. Nobody's Son is a candid, engaging, thoughtful, thought-provoking, and very highly recommended autobiography.

No comments about Orange County Housecleaners.

1 comments about Jose! Born to Dance: The Story of Jose Limon (Tomas Rivera Mexican-American Children's Book Award (Awards)).

1. A beautifully illustrated biography of the dancer José Limon, this book has proven to be quite timely in light of recent events surrounding immigration. It chronicles how young José fled Mexico for America and endured ridicule in elementary school for his poor English. Regardless, José's determination to succeed prevailed, and his story always receives cheers when I read it to various elementary classes. To view this and other cool short book recommendations for all ages.[...]

No comments about Pancho Villa: Rebel of the Mexican Revolution (Fact Finders Biographies: Great Hispanics).

No comments about Memory Fever (Camino Del Sol).

3 comments about Celia Cruz, Queen of Salsa.

1. I am (...), so I couldn't read this by myself, but my mom read it to me. It was very good. I liked the pictures and the story of how she became the Queen of Salsa.



2. From the moment of first reading this book, I was drawn in by the flowery language that described the life of a real person who influenced so many with her God-given talent. It, also, opens the door for discussion on why there are not more books for little girls of color to relate to. The illustrations and the language are absolutely "awesome" together.



3. Books like these constitute treasures to share with your child. This book is no exception. It's prose and art make it a celebration to share every story time. My child loves to have it read to him almost as much as I love to read it; and we value the chance to celebrate Ms. Cruz's rich life every time.

1 comments about Cosechando esperanza: La historia de Cesar Chavez.

1. A wonderful introduction to an important topic; beautiful illustrations. Fantastic for classroom use, or just for personal enjoyment. Definitely add this to your library!

1 comments about Hispanics in Hollywood.

1. By JONATHAN KIRSCH, Special to The LA Times "...An illuminating and entertaining survey of films and television programs in which Latino actors, settings or themes figure prominently, "Hispanics in Hollywood" is full of such surprises. Anthony Quinn, perhaps best known as Zorba the Greek, is only one of many actors whose Mexican origins were once concealed, and there are many others whose Latino roots have only recently come to public attention, ranging from Rita Hayworth (born Margarita Cansino) to John Gavin (born John Anthony Golenar) to Raquel Welch (born Raquel Tejada). And it was a young Emilio Estevez who boldly reclaimed his own Latino family history and thus revealed to the world that the real name of his father, Charlie Sheen, is Ramon More often Latino actors found themselves in an awkward dilemma in Hollywood, as the authors of "Hispanics in Hollywood" point out--if their Latino identities were not concealed, they were put to use in depicting stereotyped Latino characters: "maids, slum dwellers, drug addicts and gang members," co-author Luis Reyes reminds us, or "cruel dictators, mustachioed bandits and beautiful señoritas." Only in the last couple of decades have Latino actors and directors enjoyed the opportunity to tell stories about their own heritage in a more open, honest and affirming voice in movies such as "Zoot Suit," "La Bamba," "Stand and Deliver," "Selena" and "A Walk in the Clouds." Reyes, a movie publicist who is also a chronicler of Hollywood's Latin American heritage, describes the book as "an attempt to show the way Hollywood has depicted Hispanic Americans and Latin America, while also pointing out the contributions to Hollywood movies and television made by unsung Hispanic Americans as well as those more famous." Thus, his book can be approached as a serious effort to ponder the issues of race and ethnicity in American pop culture and, at the same time, as one of those useful reference works that can be pulled down from the shelf when puzzling over some old and obscure movie on cable.

No comments about My History, Not Yours: The Formation of Mexican American Autobiography (Wisconsin Studies in Autobiography).

5 comments about Gritos: Essays.

1. When Dagoberto Gilb stays on point, ain't nobody can touch him. Some of these essays are sheer genius. But too many of them are undisciplined rants. When he's self indulgent, it's embarrassing. He's so busy foaming on about being discriminated against for being Mexican, he lets the hard work of writing slide, and loses the reader's natural sympathy. He'd have a better case if he wrote it and didn't just type it half the time.



2. I'm not sure what the last reviewer read, but I read "Gritos" b/c I have read rave reviews. As a Mexican-American, I was naturally excited to read the book. I was so not disappoinnted!! What was most impressive was how I couldn't put the book down. I didn't find a weak story in it, and I'd say all of them were brave and honest. I definately did not read anything poorly written or complaining about discrimination--that is a ridiculous charge! This is a brilliant book by a great writer and is a must read, especially if you are from the Southwest..



3. gilb read yesterday here at the arkansas literary festival and was the best speaker I heard. I can't tell you how much we enjoyed his talk and lecture. I came to this page to buy his essay book bc the festival forgot to order it! what we heard him read was a such treat and he was utterly entertaining. the women I was with were talking about the man's movie star looks and charm but I say put try to put that aside. the man and his writing are beyond a doubt talented.



4. This book makes visible what is invisible to so many. Dagoberto Gilb uses the deeply personal to create vivid memories for the reader. His writing shouts and sings with humor, beauty, sadness and pleasure.



5. We are fortunate to have this beautiful man writng for us. It is better when you get to here him read. I love everything he read to us at Nueva Onda but the story in this book called ""Pride" I love so much. The best, about El Paso but about us in the valley too. About our people, our cultura, and our pride.
   
   People need to learn more of Dagoberto and his work. We are lucky and I for one can not wsit for his next book and visit.