Rigoberto Gonzalez

There are a few reasons I like this book. First, I like how the book is bilingual and offers the text in Spanish and English since the young boy in the story is bilingual. This is very educational and can help extend students vocabulary in another language. Second, I like that the characters are believable. The characters are two mothers and a son which is present in todays society. Having a non-traditional family is common and okay. Also, the strange appearance of his mothers partner’s character is very unique to the story. Third, I like how the book pushes readers to think about the tough issues of differences in individuals and how to be polite, respectful and include everyone. The message to take away from this story is that we must be respectful to everyone even if their family isn’t the same as ours.… (más)

I think this book is great. I like that the author translated the book into Spanish and English. When reading the book, on one page was the words in English and the other page they were in Spanish, which can be helpful for ELL students. Another reason why I like this book is because of the plot. The book addresses a situation that is very realistic, a young girl being alone due to her family working. Although Soledad is alone at her apartment after school, she checks in with her neighbor, which shows responsibility. The big idea of this book is that it is okay to be alone because you can still have fun while being alone.… (más)

I enjoyed this book very much. I love that it is in Spanish and English and tells a very real story for some first-generation children. The dialogue and language between the characters is very fitting for the story and setting, which I enjoyed. The illustrations are beautiful and vibrant. There didn’t seem to be a moral or plot, but it shows a little girls friends lively ingenuity in consoling her loneliness. They say things like, “My house is so busy, there are times I’d love to listen to music all by myself” (page 20). The little girl, Soledad, dreads coming home from school every day because her parents work all day and night. She gets home from school and checks in with her neighbor before heading inside her empty apartment, heating up her rice and beans in the microwave, doing her homework, taking a shower and brushing her teeth before reading all alone. Most days, she falls asleep on the couch and is woken up by her mother the next morning to get ready for school. But one day, she has her friends Nedelsy and Jahniza come over after school and they play, dance, read, and Soledad isn’t alone in the apartment. They then must go, which makes Soledad very sad, but she gets the best surprise when she seems her mother come through the door early as her friends leave.… (más)