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This was a great book. I really admire the way Pam Munoz Ryan wrote this book. The entire book is so real. It is written using everyday language and situations that aren’t sugar coated. What I appreciated most about this book is the ending. Children’s literature tends to end in an overly happy, not so realistic way. This book on the other has a happy, but realistic ending. Pam Munoz Ryan could have made the ending to be the stereotypical everyone wins ending. In that ending Naomi, Owen, and Gram would have all moved down to Mexico and started a family with Santiago, which by then would have fallen in love with Graciela. Instead Ryan chose to have Naomi and Owen stay with Gram in Lemon Tree with the possibility of visiting their dad whenever they can on the holidays. It even mentions the possibility that Skyla could come back one day and try again for custody of Naomi. But none of the characters worry themselves with that aspect and they all focus on how lucky they are that things turned out the way they did. Ryan also does a great job of adding Mexican culture into the story. Half of the conversations towards the end of the book are in Spanish and repeated in English. While Naomi is learning Spanish in the story, the readers are learning Spanish as well. There are a few parts in the story, especially at the end when the font changes to italics and it is solely Naomi’s thoughts. To me these seemed like checkpoints in the book. They provided a chance for the reader to step back and think about what all had happened so far and how it might unravel in the future of the story. They also help provide insight into Naomi’s deepest thoughts. Ryan was also successful in creating two believable, hateable, villains, in Skyla and Clive. I began disliking Clive when he ruined Naomi’s soap sculpture. I REALLY began to dislike Skyla when she showed her preference towards Naomi and distaste for Owen. The way she shunned Owen and tried to change him made me furious, especially when she takes him to the hospital and gets mad that the doctors can’t do anything more to help him. Who does she think she is? Any reader can tell that Owen is 100 times more lucky, smart, and happy than Skyla is or will ever be. The fact that Skyla can’t appreciate the joy Owen would bring to her life makes it easy to extremely dislike her. Naomi described her perfectly saying, “It was funny how she was nice in a mean way, and mean in a nice way.” But overall I’d say this was a great book because of its 1)great characters 2)realistic plot line 3)multicultural elements 4)Naomi’s lists.

When I first started reading Becoming Naomi Leon, I had no clue what to expect. Even halfway through the book I still could not quite understand what the title meant. After reading the book I now know exactly what the title means. Naomi finally became the person she was truly meant to be after experiencing the trip, her mother, and her father. Becoming Naomi Leon was a fantastic book. I enjoyed reading it very much and could not put it down. Pam Munoz Ryan did a great job of writing a good multicultural literature. Throughout the book Ryan added many things that portrayed Naomi’s culture. She explained where she came from, what she looked like, and some of their customs in a way that let the reader understand where she was from which was Mexico. For instance on pg. 11, Ryan explains Naomi as having wild mop hair and her predisposition to brown-ness which was the colors of her eyes, hair, and skin. She took after the Mexican side of her family according to her features. There are definitely not any stereotypes of Mexicans in the book. All references of Naomi coming from Mexico were informational, for example where her name came from, or the traditions of her family. I thought Ryan used language very authentically. Every time a person would speak in Spanish the Spanish words were written but then right beside the word would be the English translation for instance on pg. 181, “ He has las candelas, the torches.” The Spanish words were also italicized which drew the readers attention to notice the word. I really enjoyed reading Becoming Naomi Leon. Naomi was such a brave and courageous young girl. This book introduced many things to children such as parental problems, guardians, sticking up for oneself, self prophecy, and heritage. The relationship between Naomi, Owen, and their Gram was touching. A reader could tell how close they all were and how important the children were to Gram. It astounds me to still think of how mean their mother was to Owen and how she treated Naomi and their grandmother. I loved the fact that Naomi and Owen got a chance to meet their father and how Naomi got the chance to realize how much they had in common. She was able to find out where her talent of carving came from and why it meant so much to her. Naomi really grew up throughout the book and was able to speak up for what she believed in. She became Naomi the Lion.

I thought this was a great book that would appeal to children from all different backgrounds since they could sympathize with Naomi and Owen. It was such an emotional book that revealed all the changes a young girl can go through as she grows up. It was a great way to show how Naomi could learn about her family and herself during such hard times. It was also a story of hope about how life is what you make it. I also thought this theme was portrayed through Naomi’s soap carvings and Santiago’s explanation that you have the let the soap be what it will is held on the inside as well as using your imagination. He also taught her that nothing is lost you just have to make it something else instead, like when she cut the leg off the dog she was carving and thought she had messed it up. I also thought another great example of this was on page 186 when Naomi and the whole group were walking home from Los Posados and she envisioned the people who cared about her as her family even when she wasn’t actually related to most of them. It was also really refreshing to see how these children knew so little about their Mexican heritage but were able to learn from their neighbors and from their family vacation. I also thought the relationship between Owen and Naomi was a great one because she loved him no matter what. They were so supportive of each other and didn’t fight like most brothers and sisters. But I think they got along so well because they clung to each other, and Gram, so tightly because they felt like they had already lost so much in their lives and did not want to drive anyone else away.
I think this was a great multicultural book because there were so many examples of the meshing of Mexican and American culture within the book. This could be seen in the way that Fabiolo and Bernardo lived their lives. They still had a strong connection to their Mexican roots while living in America and conforming to the way of life in California. You were also able to understand the different examples of culture from the way that it was explained to Naomi and then we got to experience the events with her and hear about how they made her feel when she was learning about her father’s culture. I also thought the book had great accurate examples and it was great to see Spanish words incorporated in the book. The examples of the celebrations and Mexican holidays were also great details included in this book. Ryan wove them into the story through the experiences of Naomi instead of forcing their explanations. I did not think that this book was stereotypical because it portrayed people in a variety of different ways. It didn’t seem that all of those of Mexican descent were portrayed in a certain way because they all had their own ideas, values and lifestyle. It was also a good example of a multicultural book because Ryan used authentic language and examples of Spanish so that a young reader could learn more about the language.

"I hoped my father was right, that like the figures we carved from wood and soap, I was becoming who I was meant to be, the Naomi Soledad Leon Outlaw of my wildest dreams." This book is all about what it means to discover who you are as a person and to grow significantly through building relationships and going in search of the unexpected. Naomi's character reminds me of myself when I went through that phase of discovery and acceptance of who I am. As I read through the novel I had no idea what to expect, and ended up being mesmerized by the quality of the plot and character development. This is a coming of age story perfect for the intended upper elementary age group. Naomi discovers the meaning of love and acceptance, which is what every child is searching for in life. Early adolescents struggle with the concept of acceptance and often look for guidance in how to pursue their dreams. Naomi's character shows what its like to go through hardships while in search of her family unit, and she learns a great deal about herself, which she ends up coming to terms with by the end of the book. Naomi's brother also struggles with acceptance, as he is born with deformities that lose the affection of his mother. The bravery and determination of both Naomi and her brother show positive examples of how to deal with situations when you are viewed as different, by choosing your own unique path and sticking to it. Overall, I think this is one of my favorite books from this semester.

I absolutely loved this book! Naomi transformed from a once shy and "outsider" child into a strong and confidant friend, sister, and great grandchild. Naomi stood up for herself and what she believed in when it mattered the most, and she came out of her shell at exactly the right time. When the trial was being conducted and the judge was trying to make the final decision, Naomi stood up and proved to the judge that being in her mother's care was not the best place for her to live. Naomi is a girl that is very talented, and she is a girl that has many layers that are waiting to be exposed to the world. Give her a chance to open up, and you will be surprised at what is hiding behind that soft and timid voice. I also believe that the author, Pam Ryan, did an excellent job presenting cultural details, and presenting them naturally as well in the book. The inclusion of the annual La Noche de los Rabanos is an excellent example of integrating cultural details naturally. The festival was presented just as naturally as a Christmas tradition or even a chili cook off competition would be introduced in southern culture. The festival was of great importance to the Leon family, and the inclusion of the festival was a tie to Naomi's father Santiago. This festival and the tie to Santiago also could explain Naomi's talent with soap carving that the reader sees evident throughout the book. I also feel that the author writes with an insider perspective. The author has a mixture Spanish, Mexican, Basque, Italian and Oklahoman background; therefore I believe that she portrays the Mexican cultural aspects authentically, being that she has some Mexican background. I also believe that she portrays the language authentically in the book. Although I do not claim to be fluent in Spanish, I believe that she used the language very effectively, especially for a mostly English speaking audience. The author was also raised in California, which would give her an insider perspective being that she knows a lot about the setting that she was writing about. I also feel that the author uses details accurately, and I feel that this avoids stereotypes because the majority of stereotypes are false. By presenting details accurately, the "real" picture of the culture is presented, and thus for the stereotype is eliminated. The author avoids the stereotype that Mexican or Hispanic individuals are violent and dangerous by providing details about the La Noche de los Rabanos. Everyone was walking down the streets celebrating going from door to door to try new foods and celebrate the unity in the community. The author did not mention any deaths or casualties, and I would believe that during a time of celebration the community would be excited and loving not angry and hate driven. Once again I loved this book! An excellent multicultural book!

Becoming Naomi Leon was an amazing, heartfelt book. I absolutely loved reading this book. At times I found it hard to put down because I wanted to know what was going to happen next. I thought that the author did a wonderful job of writing this book. She paced the plot and events in the story just right. All girls Naomi's age face a lot when growing up. Society can make us view ourselves "as nobody special." Throughout the story Gram, really did a wonderful job of helping Owen and Naomi feel special and proud to be who they were. I really liked how the author incorporated their heritage into this book. She was able to throw in a lot about the Mexican culture without making the reader feel they were reading a boring informational text. Another aspect I liked was how the culture was never viewed in a negative or derogatory way. It was their heritage after all that became Naomi, Owen, and Gram's saving grace. Again, the story was written in a manner so that just when everything seemed hunky dory something would pop up and interfere with everyone's lives. A lot of children this day and time are raised by their grandparents and even some by their great-grandparents because their parents didn't want to or couldn't raise them for some reason. The author incorporates the many questions children have when growing up without their parents and the many emotions that they face. When their parents do show and want their children for purposes other than love and only for monetary or other reasons it can make a child feel unwanted or insecure. However, Gram always found a way to ease Naomi and Owens fears. I also like how this book makes Owen the happy, jolly kid instead of the depressed kid because he is unique. It shows children that just because your different doesn't mean you can't do what everyone else can, just sometimes in a different way. Overall, I felt this was an excellent multicultural book that any upper elementary child would love to read. As the quote I used says that Naomi has "many layers." She started off shy as a turtle but blossomed into a brave, curious, and talented lion.

I feel like this quote on page 136 embodies everything Naomi Outlaw has learned and has become throughout this story. She has become a believer. She never stopped believing for one minute that she would find her father. In Ch. 4 of the Temple Text it says that one value a good multicultural book holds is the ability to "elicit thinking about ourselves and our world". While reading "Becoming Naomi Leon" I felt that through her struggles I was considering what it would be like if I were her. We all have struggles in our lives, but I feel that not knowing your father and having a mother who only wants you for personal gain is a struggle no child should ever have to go through. Thinking about this aspect in terms of education I began to realizet that I will probably have many students whose situations will be similar, if not worse, than Naomi's, and it makes me sad. I feel that even though my parents divorced when I was little, I was never without enough love. Luckily, Naomi had the love of her Gram, her brother Owen, her father, and her neighbors. Because Naomi is surrounded by people she loves and who loves her back, this helps her to continue to believe. Even at the end, she still wonders what it would be like to have her mother there with her all the time. She still longs for her mother's touch and this, I feel, is the greatest strength in Naomi. She has the ability to see past all her mother has done to her, and consider the things her mother can do for her. She still loves her, which is something that would be very hard for me to do. I commend Naomi in this and I feel that all students would see this in her as well. Naomi will be an amazing role model for all of her readers; she has surely become one for me.

Can i just say i am in love with this author! I have read two of her books and i cant seem to put them down. Becoming Naomi Leon is a heart-wrenching book that has emotions flowing from every page. So many kids can relate to this story, and its not boring its a real page-turning. The meaning behind each character is perfect. They all have flaws or depressions but they still try and fight against the odds and find the happiness in everything. Owen, Naomi's little brother, is so strong and forgiving and truly portrays a little innocent boy. He reminds us when we were young that life was simple and to always smile! Naomi who matured so much through this novel, never realized how lost she was until she found her way. (if that makes any sense). She has so many questions and she is determined to seek the answers. As in she took the phone book and started calling all the Leon. I want to go and hit Skyla!! I wish in the end she would get some sense knocked into her but she continued to be a conceited person. She would only look at the flaws of her own son, Owen, and not truly see what amazing talents he has to offer. I was so angry whenever she was around! Then there was Gram, that i feel was only alive because of Owen and Naomi. She was frail but she strong-hearted and nothing could break her, not even her own daughter Skyla. This book was an amazing Multicultural book because it used Spanish within the text by distinguishing it with italics, and it showed some traditions of Mexico. Even through Spanish was within the text it flowed very well because she would translate it in the sentence! The only stereotype that i think it did not avoid was the fact that Mexicans tend to be poor and have a hard life. But i do not think this book put any bad image on the Mexican race. I am not sure if Ryan wrote with an insiders perspective of outsiders perspective but if i would have to pick one i would choose outsiders. This is because the main character, Naomi, is not accustom to Mexican culture. Yes she is half Mexican but she has never been around Mexican culture. The author does use language authentically because she using language that commonly use between the two cultures. The traditions of Mexico are all throughout the novel and the main one is the squash carving contest! This is integrated so nicely from the beginning of the novel when we learn Naomi likes to carve soap!! This is just a well constructed piece of work that captivated me so much!

This book was quite possibly one of the best books I've ever read...including books on my own age level. I'm so glad I was able to read this, because it spoke to me on so many levels. Naomi Leon is everything I wish I could have been as a child. She was put through so much, yet came out "roaring like a lion." Gram Before I read this book, I read what our blog responses needed to include..so as as I read, I kept looking for evidence of the Mexican culture. For a while, I wondered if I was missing something. Then, after they all got to Oaxaca, I got drawn into the Mexican culture. Honestly, I didn't even associate the Mexican culture with Naomi, Owen, Gram, or Skyla, until they reached Oaxaca. Throughout the entire book, I loved the way Ryan always translated any spanish saying into english. Any student reading this book will learn so much about the spanish language..just by reading the dialogue. In the second half of the book, while they are down in Oaxaca, you learn many things about the Mexican culture. You learn types of food they eat, how they shop, the lay of the land, and ways they celebrate the holiday. For example, when Naomi goes with the girls to "el mercado," you really get a feel of what shopping in a Mexican supermarket is like. You picture all kinds of vegetables and spices set up in each little area where the people come to sell it. One thing I really enjoyed about this book, was the fact the Ryan naturally incorporates so much information into the storyline. You learn so much about the culture of Mexico, but you don't even realize it. While so many multicultural books may seem bland and more focused on facts and information, this book has such a interesting and catching storyline, that you just can't stop reading...and while you're reading, you're learning so much. All the information is integrated naturally into the text. One major thing I noticed as I read was the detail she used. Naomi always described how she felt with so much detail. "It was as if the stampede crashed through the wall in front of me." The vivid language Ryan uses throughout the book just really captures the reader and provides so much imagery.
Overall, this book has just inspired me to always speak up, no matter how soft I think my voice may be. So many young kids go through what Naomi and Owen went through, and it's so nice knowing there's a piece of literature out there for kids to read and cope with. I think my favorite part of the whole book, was realizing that when Santiago wasn't able to make it to carve for the festival, Naomi was able to fulfill the tradition. I almost teared up when I read that part. I only wish he could have moved back to California with them. I can't wait to discuss this book with the rest of the class.

First of all, I would like to say that I absolutely loved this book. The true spirit of a child is captured in this book. Owen and Naomi portray the ideas of hope, love, and innocence. The reason that I chose this quote was because I felt as if I would react the same way as Naomi did in this part of the book. My father left when I was young and I still have not seen, talked to, or know where he is. I can relate to Naomi in so many ways. The emotions that she felt through this book were some and are some of the same ways I felt/feel. This part stood out to me the most due to the fact that I imagine what the day will be like when I see my dad, pure shock and another feeling that is not quite describable with words. I felt it as I read. Knowing the curiosity that is felt about that person, the feeling of void, and the idea of being wanted by someone who created you. The life struggles that are presented in this book are going to be similar to the struggles the children in the classroom may be having, so by reading this book it can really help children understand that their are many sides to every story, and that thinking positive is the best way to move from one day to the next. My grandmother always told me "that everything will work out for the best, just pray."
As for the multicultural aspect of this book, it is packed with the Hispanic culture and it is portrayed in a non-stereotypical way. I believe that all of the Hispanic culture that was portrayed in the book was informational and very interesting. I loved the things that the author included about family traditions. (Eating as a family, radish carving, singing, and the giving personality of the Hispanic people) The Spanish that was used flowed wonderfully with the text and always gave the meaning of the words in the context clues. This book is great to use when learning about the Hispanic culture because it includes many traditions and beliefs. (Los Posados page 176, La Noche de los Rabanos page 93, Nuestra Senora de la Soledad page 215) This book was definitely my favorite and I can’t wait to read some more of Pam Munoz Ryan’s books.

I absolutely loved this book. At first it took me a while to get in to but after picking it up for the second time I honestly couldn't put the book down. I feel like this is a book so many kids can relate to. Luckly I didn't come from a family background like Naomi but so many children do. When children can relate to this book they will become so much more involved. I couldn't stand Skyla. In the beginning was hoping that she had changed but obviously she hadn't. I started disliking her when she didn't like Owen just because he was different but I disliked her even more when she hit Naomi. I was really excited when Naomi and Owen finally found their father and that he was a good guy. I was hoping in the end that Naomi, Owen, and Gram would be able to move to Mexico and live with Santiago but that would be the fairy tale ending and most of the time in real life things don't end the fairy tale way. I loved how Naomi changed from the mouse to the lion in the end. I can see myself in her in that way. When I was younger I was the mouse and over the years I have become more of a lion. Pam Munoz Ryan does a great job of presenting the cultural details authentically. She naturally integrates the festival at Christmas into the story. She has a Spanish, Mexican, Basque, Italian, and Oklahoman background which allows her to present the culture authentically. She also presents an insider perspective. Through her research and participiation in Night of the Radishes Ryan is able to portray what is is like to be born of the culture. Ryan also uses the details accurately and avoids stereotypes. She uses details of the La Noche de los Rabanos accurately and naturally though the story. She also doesn't provide stereotypes in her novel. She doesn't show the characters as mean and horrible people. They are characters just like everyone else. I loved how Ryan incorporated Spanish words with the English translation right after it. The story wouldn't be the same if Ryan had just used the English words. The reader wouldn't get the full cultural perspective if these words weren't included. Overall I loved this book and I can't wait to read more books by this author. I will definately use this book in my classroom :)

1. Naomi's life isn't perfect.
I really appreciated that this book did not try to portray Naomi as a character who has a perfect family, perfect personality, and a perfect life. Instead, Naomi is a character whom many children can relate to. Many kids these days do not live with both parents, and some live with a relative just like Naomi. This is a reality that needs to be reflected in children's literature. Also the author makes sure that the readers know that Naomi has character flaws. For example, she often cannot make herself speak up and defend her brother when other kids tease him. By the end of the novel, Naomi has grown as a person and has finally found her voice. This teaches kids that they can grow and learn from life's events.

2. It teaches children about Mexico and traditions that are unique to that country.
When Naomi and her family travel to Oaxaca they learn about many new things about Mexico. They learn new Spanish words like "el mercado", and they also get the chance to participate in many Mexican traditions. Naomi is similar to many young children in that they may have a rich cultural history, but haven't had the opportunity to uncover it. When Naomi participates in la Noche de los Rabanos she carries on a family tradition that has lasted for years and years. I think that this book can help inspire children to learn more about the traditions in their families.

3. It reflects experiences that many children in the U.S. have today.
This book is an exceptional example of multicultural literature because many children in the U.S. can relate to it. I plan on teaching near Charlotte, N.C. and I know that many of my students will be Hispanic. What better way to reach out to your Hispanic students than to read a book that touches on their culture? Not only will they relate to the novel, but other non-Hispanic students will read the book and understand more about Mexican culture as well. Hopefully reading this book could promote diversity and understanding in the classroom.

I really enjoyed reading this book. Naomi Soledad Leon Outlaw is a girl who I feel so much empathy for. She is both American and Mexican, yet she does not know the culture of her Mexican roots. Naomi wears handmade clothes, lives in a trailer, is shy, and has a funny last name. She is living a life of simplicity and as much solitude a young girl can have. Carving soap, making lists, and For the last seven years their Gram has been raising them as her own. Then one day Naomi's mother comes back into her life and things change. Skyla, Naomi's mother is the definition of "bad mother". Skyla is constantly putting down both Naomi and her brother Owen, and Skyla even had the nerve to slap Naomi across the face. Skyla has plans to take Naomi to live with her in Las Vegas, but Gram has other plans and takes Naomi and Owen on a vacation to Mexico. And now Naomi finally has a chance to visit her Mexican roots. What a good book and I can see how a child would read this and be able to relate to her.

I love this book so much! I think this book would be wonderful to use in the classroom. It is such an easy read and I couldn't put it down once I started it. This book also involves the topic of divorce, separation, and living with another family member. These are common situations that children in my classroom might be going through. I'm sure it would help such students cope so much by reading this book and realizing they aren't the only one going through a similar situation. I really liked the descriptive words used throughout the book. I felt as if I could really feel what Naomi and the others were going through. An example of this descriptive language is "as I wheeled Owen around the trailer park loop, a troublesome feeling tiptoed after me like a lurking shadow "(p.87). Naomi was such an unique character. I loved how she made lists about practically everything. The author incorporates so much cultural information throughout the book. A child reading this book could learn so much about the Mexican culture. I really enjoyed the detailed information about Las Posadas and La Noche de los Rabanos. I think the author did a great job at avoiding stereotypes. This isn't the perfect book with the perfect ending. Naomi is not a typical child - she makes lists of everything and carves soap. Owen was very unique and intelligent, despite his handicaps. I can't wait to read more from this author!

I am in love with this book! Honestly when I first began to read I was so unsure of where the book was headed that I began to get bored. I pressed on reading and by page 35 I was hooked. From the moment we learned about Skyla and the mystery of who she was this book captured my heart. Such a great book that so many children I feel like can seem to relate to. I also thought this book was even great for adults to just curl up and put yourselves in Naomi's shoes. It's almost as if some of the time Naomi herself has to act like an adult the way she takes care of Owen and helping out Gram. The entire time reading this I felt as if I was reading her diary and the lists that she makes are so simple but have so much meaning. This is such a great read and learning all about the Mexican culture at the same time is fascinating.

I still have a little left of this book yet to finish, but I love this story so far. I think it is one of the most realistic and modern things we have read so far. I will never understand any kind of mother who would ever think about treating any child that way, and I do believe she should be shot for acting the way she did towards Owen and Naomi. I still do not know if they are going to find Santiago or who will get custody of the children, but I do think that there are so many injustices of "Skyla" and I sure hope she gets what she deserves at the end of the story. I do not understand why her and Clive want children so much. They lead such selfish lives, what do they want with two little girls? This makes me just want to rant and rant about how much Owen and Naomi and Gram deserve, but I do no think that I can put into words exactly how mad this makes me. Owen's obsession with tape is very fascinating to me, and I like to think about why he needs tape. Maybe he needs to feel like something needs him and cannot let go of him unless he takes it off of himself. Sweet, sweet Owen, always trying to find the good in every situation. He has been through so much, and when Skyla neglects him, he is 'okay' with it and patiently waits his turn. I was so proud of Naomi when she stood up to Skyla and would not leave with her. It was time that she opened her mouth and stated her opinion to that woman. I hated that she did tell Clive 'Thank you' for the gifts when she definitely shouldn't have. I was also glad to see Naomi talk to Graciela and finding out the motives of a true mother, so that she knows that Skyla is not what a mother should act like. I have so much respect for Naomi, Owen, and Gram and hope this ending turns out in her favor!

One of the first things that stood out to me about Naomi was her list making. Even though her lists were often very specific, I still was able to identify with her. I often make lists myself, some of which I never write down but remain in my head. For example I have my own worry list that I never write down but it occupies my thoughts. The only lists I tend to write down are the ones concerning academic subjects and overall life goals. This common attribute of Naomi led me to realize that everyone must constantly be making lists in their heads whether they write them down or not. This is important to realize as a future teacher because we need to realize because children's worries carry over into a school setting. Once children are in a classroom they aren't going to suddenly stop thinking about whatever may be occupying their minds. The faculty in Naomi's school were well aware of her situation, mainly because of what seemed like good communication between her Gram and the staff. It was extremely critical in Naomi's case that the staff knew her grandmother's character. The recommendation letters they wrote to the judge could have easily influenced him, even though it seemed like the final straw was Skyla admitting that she didn't want Owen. Case in point, it is important for the entire faculty in a school to be aware of stresses that kids face in their home lives because you never know when you have the chance to help a child.

Even though this book wasn't my favorite, I thought that it was very realistic and most certainly could apply to someone's life. The thing that I enjoyed most about Becoming Naomi Leon was the fact that she was able to find her voice amongst all of her troubles. The obstacles she faced only made her a stronger individual. One of the most important chapters in the book was when Naomi had the courage to stand up for herself and speak out against her mother even though it was obvious that Naomi wished the world was different and her mother was a better, more loving one. I was impressed with how she handled herself in trying times, always looking for the best in people and yet she was also able to realize people's faults without hating them for it. I believe the book had a very genuine and realistic ending because even though things didn't turn out well for her regarding her mother, she still had her Gram, Owen, her neighbors, Blanca, and the new acquaintance with her father Santiago. It made me happy to know that he really did care for her and wish to have her in his life for non-selfish reasons. My favorite quote was, "How many others were walking around and not even knowing that someone far away cared for them? Imagine all that love floating in the air, waiting to land on someone's life! (245).

I thought this book integrated multicultural literature into the text very well. Many examples of multiculturalism were included in the language of Bernardo and Fabiola. Also children could learn about cultural icons such as the Lady Soledad of Oaxaca. Food was also a great topic for multiculturalism. I loved the description of the Quesillo. It was interesting to see that Naomi resembled the Mexican side while Owen more so resembled the Oklahoma relatives. Even though Naomi was Mexican, she hardly knew anything about the culture due to her limited exposure. I was surprised that she didn't know more of the language due to her relations with her neighbors. I thought it was incredibly interesting how the book addressed stereotypes of Mexico such as the water making you sick, crooked cops, and people being murdered on a certain beach. It never mentioned if these stereotypes were true though. One theme I really liked in the book was how the author integrated the Mexican culture into Naomi's last name, Leon. This theme was present in the entire novel starting with Blanca telling her what it meant. It was great to see that Naomi's family name was a strong symbol of the Mexican culture and that she finally got her voice in the end. She also had a sense of belonging with her family name being that she and her father were both excellent carvers.

Becoming Naomi Leon by Pam Munoz Ryan is by far one of my favorite books I've read. When I first sat down to read this book I wasn't sure how I was going to like it! I don't normally enjoy reading books like this but once I sat down and started reading I was instantly hooked. I love the characters in this book. Gram, Owen, and Naomi have all struggled with different things in their lives but something they all have in common is that they all look out for each other. They overcome all their obstacles and look to each for the strength they need. I sympathized with Owen because Skyla didn't want him due to the fact that he was born with a deformity. I admire his postive attitude about everything. I think it's amazing how an 8 year old boy can cope with all the things he has and still be so happy. What I loved most about Naomi was how she had lists for everthing. I also enjoyed seeing her grow throughout the novel. At first she was very shy and quiet and didn't stand up for herself and toward the end of the novel she shows what a brave person she was by standing up for herself and her family.
I think this is a wonderful story and I loved how the author incorporated Spanish into the book as well. I think it's a great way for the reader to identify with the characters a little more. I do not know much Spanish but was able to figure out what the characters were saying due to context clues. I also thought this book incorporated a lot of Mexican culture and was naturally introduced by the author. For example, a festival is held in Oaxaca at Christmastime called the Night of the Radishes. Overall, I absolutely loved reading this book and look forward to reading other books that are similar. In my opinion, it's books like this that make multiculture literature much more interesting and enjoyable to read.

All Things Bright and Beautiful

~Cecil Frances Alexander

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.

Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colors,
He made their tiny wings.

The purple-headed mountain,
The river running by,
The sunset, and the morning,
That brightens up the sky;

The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
He made them every one.

He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell,
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.

This is a wonderful peom. I absolutly love it. One of the poetry elements that I like is how every other line rhymes. I feel that poems are easier to read and capture the attention of the reader esp. children when they rhyme. I also like how this poem includes imagery. I feel that I see what the poet is writing about.

I really like this poem. I like how it gives God credit for making all things and making them all beautiful. It adresses people, animals, and the beautiful land in which we live.

I got this from google.com

"I walk behind Mother
through the woods
careful
not to touch the poison oak
she points to with her stick.

She sees snakes before
they move.

She finds her way
by the smell of the trees.

She stops to rest
the very moment
my shoes grow
heavy
and gives me water,
gives me shade

in her steady
shadow."

-Janet S. Wong, from The Rainbow Hand: Poems about Mothers and Children

When I came across this poem, my first thought was how smooth it is. When I read it, I felt like the poem should be read with a soothing, steady voice. It is a very relaxing poem and I feel that that is because the subject of the poem is of a mother's love for her child. This poem stems from the child's realization that her mother is quite amazing. What a way to honor one's mother by illuminating her strengths in poetry. The main aspect of this poem is its rhythm. As I mentioned earlier, I felt like I should be reading this poem in a soothing, steady voice. This tells me that the rhythm of the poem is slow and steady. One can see this by looking at how the words are written. The sentences are split up, having one word on one line, instead of continuing the poem and putting all the words on the same line. By conveying this steady beat, I relate the beat to that of the child's heartbeat when with her mother. Because her mother watches for her safety and has keen insights about nature, the child surely feels safe and secure when with her mother. I really like this poem because I have always felt safe when with my mom. She has qualities that I am amazed by as well, just like the child in this poem.

Spaghetti

Spaghetti, spaghetti, all over the place,
Up to my elbows--up to my face,
Over the carpet and under the chairs,
Into the hammock and wound round the stairs,
Filling the bathtub and covering the desk,
Making the sofa a mad mushy mess.

The party is ruined, I'm terribly worried,
The guests have all left (unless they're all buried).
I told them, "Bring presents." I said, "Throw confetti."
I guess they heard wrong
'Cause they all threw spaghetti!

--Shel Silverstein

It seems cliche to use Shel Silverstein as my poet of choice, but his work is just that incredible. Growing up I used to read all of his poetry. One of my new favorites is Runny Babbit. What makes his poetry in particular is his ability to reach children through the use of playful language and nonsense topics. Poetry is a hard topic to introduce to students, as they find it difficult to understand and enjoy. This is not so with Shel Silverstein's work. This poem in particular is a favorite of mine because of it's silly nature and I'm also highly attracted to rhyming. Shel Silverstein uses the most outrageous terms to rhyme. His poetry is a great way to increase vocabulary! In this poem he rhymes two lines at a time, but this varies from poem to poem. The tone builds up as the climax of the poem is reached at the end. Kids are intrigued by the fact that spaghetti seems to be overflowing, but there is no definite answer as to why until the end of the poem is reached. Once the climax is reached, the reader can then recognize the silliness of the poem. A bit of alliteration is included in the poem in the line that says "Making the sofa a mad mushy mess." This adds to the playfulness of the poem. Shel Silverstein is an amazing poet and his poetry is a great way to get kids involved with a topic that seems to be a bit more difficult for students.

Invisible Boy by Shel Silverstein

And here we see the invisible boy
In his lovely invisible house,
Feeding a piece of invisible cheese
To a little invisible mouse.
Oh, what a beautiful picture to see!
Will you draw an invisible picture for me?

I also love Shel Silverstein poems. He takes anything and turns it into a humorous poem. He is great to introduce to students because he writes a wide variety of poems on anything. I think one of the hardest thing about writing poems is what to write about. Well Silverstein shows you that it can be anything.
I picked this particular poem because it made me laugh so hard and allowed me to use my imagination. The picture i produced in my head made it all the better. A great teaching strategy with this is have the kids draw out what they picked when they read the poem. Also it is a great poem to help students write poems. The elements that Silverstein uses is sounds with the last word which rhymes with another last word. The alliteration that he uses is a consonance form because the "ouse" and "e" are the sounds that repeat and rhyme. He uses images in this particular poem but the reader produces the image. So every image should be different based on what that person takes from the poem. Silverstein is a great poet and i will have his collection in my classroom!!

Boa Constrictor

Oh, I'm being eaten
By a boa constrictor
A boa constrictor,
A boa constrictor,
I'm being eaten by a boa constrictor,
And I don't like it-one bit.
Well, what you know?
It's nibblin' my toe.
Oh, gee,
It's up to my knee.
Oh my,
It's up to my thigh.
Oh, fiddle,
It's up to my middle.
Oh, heck,
It's up to my neck.
Oh, dread,
It's upmmmmmmmmmmffffffffff...

This is by far my favorite poem. I have never been that interested in poetry, but I remember this poem from my childhood. Shel Silverstein is amazing!! The sounds that Silverstein creates with his words are amazing. It is as if you can almost hear the boa constrictor nibbling at the person's toes in the poem. The rhythm of the poem is also very appealing. The reader begins to read and it almost feels as if the reader should speed up as the boa constrictor continues to eat and eat and eat. The emotion behind the rhythm builds until finally the person is eaten by the boa constrictor. The reader feels relieved from the anticipation and suspense of the poem when the boa constrictor finally eats the person. The rhyme scheme that Silverstein presents also adds to the excellence of the poem. "Oh, gee, it's up to my knee" and "Oh, fiddle, it's up to my middle" are rhyme schemes that children pick up on and are interested with. The images that Silverstein presents are also great! For children to picture a boa constrictor eating a person slowly bit by bit, it grabs their attention and encourages them to read more poetry. I cannot say how amazing that Shel Silverstein is at writing poetry!!! Definitely a great poet for children to read!

Danny O'Dare by Shel Silverstein
Danny O'Dare, the dancin' bear,
Ran away from the County Fair,
Ran right up to my back stair
And thought he'd do some dancin' there.
He started jumpin' and skippin' and kickin',
He did a dance called the Funky Chicken,
He did the Polka, he did the Twist,
He bent himself into a pretzel like this.
He did the Dog and the Jitterbug,
He did the Jerk and the Bunny Hug.
He did the Waltz and the Boogaloo,
He did the Hokey-Pokey too.
He did the Bop and the Mashed Potata,
He did the Split and the See Ya Later.
And now he's down upon one knee,
Bowin' oh so charmingly,
And winkin' and smilin'--it's easy to see
Danny O'Dare wants to dance with me.

From: http://famouspoetsandpoems.com/poets/shel_silverstein/poems/14829

I chose to do a poem by Shel Silverstein because it is the only poetry I can remember enjoying from when I was a child. I was not very interested in poetry but can remember checking out his books, especially Falling Up and Where the Sidewalk Ends. I personally love this poem because it is funny and because of the rhyming that can found throughout. I feel this will also make it appealing to children because as the Temple Text said, children tend to like poetry that rhymes. When trying to classify this poem into a category I was not sure where it should be placed but finally decided on a narrative poem. I feel it is narrative because it is in the format of a story and has a smooth progression with a clear beginning, middle and an conclusion that explains the purpose of the Danny O'Dare's actions. It is example of good children's poetry because it contains true rhyming words that flow off the tongue. It is also an example of good children's poetry because it produces clear mental images of a bear performing each line of the poem as they are read. The images are another reason I love this poem. I can clearly see a bear dancing, skipping and doing all sorts of moves which I think is something that children would really enjoy.

Write About A Radish
By: Karla Kuskin

Write about a radish
too many people write about the moon.

The night is black
the stars are small and high
the clock unwinds its ever-ticking tune
hills gleam dimly
distant nighthawks cry.
A radish rises in the waiting sky.

~The Sky is Always in the Sky~
By: Karla Kuskin
Pictures by: Isabelle Dervaux

I chose this poem because it was so unique and funny. I really enjoy Karla Kuskin's poetry because she has some ridiculous things that she writes about, anywhere from a radish, mud, to a pigeon. I love it. I would place this poem in the nonsense verse category because a radish is representing the moon because too many people write about the moon. That is just silly and that is why I like her work so much. Karla uses the rhyme function in this poem by having the some of the words rhyme at the end of the stanzas. One thing that is fun about her poetry is that she usually has illustrations to go along with her poetry to emphasize the humor in her poems. I think she would be a great poet to introduce to a class because her poetry is fun and easy to read.

I'm Staying Home From School Today

I'm staying home from school today.
I'd rather be in bed
pretending that I have a pain
that's pounding in my head.

I'll say I have a stomach ache.
I'll claim I've got the flu.
I'll shiver like I'm cold
and hold my breath until I'm blue.

I'll fake a cough. I'll fake a sneeze.
I'll say my throat is sore.
If necessary I can throw
a tantrum on the floor.

I'm sure I'll get away with it.
Of that, there's little doubt.
But, even so, I really hope
my students don't find out.
--Kenn Nesbitt

http://www.poetry4kids.com/poem-318.html

I chose this poem because as future teachers we can all relate. When I first started reading the poem, I began to laugh knowing that I have played sick many of times just so I would not have to go to school. I just knew the poem was about a kid who did not want to go to school that day. Turns out at the end it was the teacher. Students aren’t the only ones who need a break from school sometimes. The rhyming in the poem really makes the poem flow smoothly. The imagery in this poem is amazing. The details about how the teacher is feeling allows the reader to imagine how he or she is really feeling. Kenn Nesbitt would be a great poet to introduce to children because all of his poems are fun, exciting, and easy to understand. He has his own page of hundreds of poems under different subjects.

The fog comes
on little cat feet.

It sits looking
over harbor and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on.

http://www.poetry-archive.com/s/fog.html

I know this is a cliché children’s poem by Carl Sandburg but it really is one of my favorite poems! As soon as we were told in class to find our favorite children’s poem, I immediately thought of this poem. Later I wondered to myself why this poem out of all the others I learned in school came into my mind. The answer was that the imagery in this poem has stuck with me ever elementary school. This poem contains one of the best metaphors I’ve ever read. The way Sandburg compares fog to a cat is so vivid. Sandburg definitely chose the right animal to use in this poem. After I read this poem I picture in my head this giant cat with little soft feet carefully walking on top of a city. Sandburg makes me think of a cat that is silently stalking his prey and stopping for a minute over each city on his way. Although this poem is short and does not rhyme it is still a very effective poem that creates a lot of imagery. I almost wish the poem was longer just because I like it so much and I want to read more of it. But if it was longer it probably wouldn’t have the same effect.

Just Me
Nobody sees what I can see,
For back of my eyes there is only me.
And nobody knows how my thoughts begin,
For there's only myself inside my skin.
Isn't it strange how everyone owns
Just enough skin to cover their bones?
My father's would be too big to fit-
I'd be all wrinkled inside of it.
And my baby brother's is much too small-
It just wouldn't cover me up at all.
But I feel just right in the skin I wear,
And there's nobody like me anywhere.
-Margaret Hillert

The Random House Book of Poetry for Children. Selected by Prelutsky, Jack. 1983

What a cute poem! This is so good for children who are at that akward stage of trying to figure out who they are. I know when I was little I wanted to be "grown up" so bad. I would have really liked to have read this poem to find a perspective on being happy with who I was. This poem is written in an AABB format and is easy to follow. It has a flow of rhythm that makes it easy to read aloud. I think it is fun to imagine a child in their father's skin, kind of like a huge sweater that would swallow him whole. And the baby brother's skin, that would be like a shirt that is way too small. What great imagery for children. The imagery in this poem stands out more to me than the sound or the form, even though the flow in the rhythm and rhyme makes it fun and appealing to read.

My Backpack Weighs a Thousand Pounds
by Jack Prelutsky

My backpack weighs a thousand pounds,
It's fatter than a cow!
I don't know how I carry it,
But do it anyhow.
It's filled with books and papers
That my teacher says I need-
She never lets me lighten it,
No matter how I plead.

Sometimes it tips me backward,
It's a wonder I don't fall.
Sometimes I have to stop and rest
And lean against a wall.
I tell you, from experience,
It's not a lot of fun
When you have to lug a backpack
That's about a half a ton.

From: What a Days it Was at School, poems by Jack Prelutsky and pictures by Doug Cushman

I absolutely love this poem. I remember this is how I felt all through school growing up and I still feel like it today. I remember in high school when people pulled on my backpack I hoped I wouldn't fall over. Today walking across campus I felt like I needed to stop and take a break because my backpack was so heavy. The entire time I was reading this poem I kept thinking to myself and laughing because it is so true. This poem uses rhyming such as cow anyhow, need plead, fall wall, and fun ton. I would also say that this poet uses imagery. I can imagine how the backpack looks with all the books and papers. I can also imagine the backpack tipping someone backwards and that person having to stop and rest. I can also feel how heavy the backpack is even though it says it weighs a thousand pounds. I can imagine how heavy it is on my back and having to rest. I think the book this poem came from is a great book to have in the classroom. All the poems have to do with school but in a fun way where the children can relate.

"Oh Mother, I am Blue Today"
by Jack Prelutsky
from A Pizza the Size of the Sun

"Oh , Mother, I am blue today,
I don't know why or how.
There's never been another child
as blue as I am now."

"I see you're blue," my mother said,
"and this is what I think-
if you would rather not be blue,
don't bathe again in ink."

When I read this poem it made me smile because I was not really having a good day. It made me laugh and caused me to see things in a brighter light. I think that children would enjoy this poem because it uses a play on words with the word "blue". When you begin reading the poem, you think that the child is talking about the fact that they are sad, but in actuality they are talking about the color blue. I think that it would be fun to talk to your class about how words that look the same can often have different meanings. This poem also has simple rhyming in it that makes the poem flow well. For example, the poet rhymes "how" with "now" and "think" with "ink." Kids of all ages could easily come up with their own lists of words that rhyme and incorporate them into a poem using the structure that Jack Prelutsky demonstrates. I think that the humor in Jack Prelutsky's poems are the main thing that attracts children to them. It is important for students to see that poetry comes in all different forms, and that its okay for it to be funny!

"My Puppy"
by Aileen Fisher
from A Jar of Tiny Stars Poems by NCTE Award-Winning Poets

I have a playful
prankish pup:

When I stood down
he prances up

And snuffs my neck
and slicks my ear

As if I'd been
away a year.

I say, "Be good,
you prankish pup."

But he just smiles
and eats me up!

I absolutely love this poem because it reminds me so much of my dog back home. His name is Homer. He's a very playful fun dog that gets very excited every time he sees me! I think children can relate to this poem because children usually love animals and it also has a nice flow to it. This poem has both rhythm and rhyme. When you read this poem out loud it flows well uses rhyming words. For example, "pup" and "up" and "ear" and "year." This poem also uses imagery. You can visually picture this as you read this poem aloud. For instance, "When I stoop down he prances up." I think children relate well to poems that uses imagery because it allows them to picture it in their heads, therefore allows them to understand the poem better. The form used in this poem is real simple. There are two lines in each of the six stanzas.

Bed Head

I can't do a thing with my hair-do.
I've tried but it's simply no use.
I can't make it stay where I put it today
with styling gel, hair spray, or mousse.

No bobby pin, brush, or bandanna,
can get my hair under control.
I've tried every comb, every clip in my home,
and covered my head with a bowl.

I've tried using forks in frustration.
I've tried using pokers and picks.
I've tried using straps; I've tried headbands and caps.
I've even tried shoestrings and sticks.

Regardless of how I attack it,
I simply cannot make it stay.
I guess I can't win, so I'll have to give in
and look like my students today.
--Kenn Nesbitt

I never really had a favorite poem as a child, because I never really got into reading poetry. I liked to write my own little poems, but I never got into reading them. So I browsed the internet and found this on www.poetry4kids.com. I read this poem and it automatically took me back to my "nappy headed childhood." I was born with naturally curly hair, and I was a very rough sleeper. So, my mom would always have the hardest time getting my hair to look decent. So this poem basically describes a typical morning for me when I was little. Now that I'm older, my hair has calmed down and I can actually manage it, but I can vividly remember screaming at my mom as she tried her hardest to comb a brush through my tangles, and just doing everything she could to make it look less messy. I love poems that rhyme. This poem has a ABCB rhyme scheme and I think it rolls off the tongue when I read it outloud. It's very catchy, and the words are just clever. I have so much admiration for poets, because anyone who can take a meaningful story and turn it into a catchy rhyme has talent. This poem is a new favorite.

Hug O'War
By: Shel Silverstein

I will not play at tug o' war.
I'd rather play at hug o' war,
Where everyone hugs
Instead of tugs,
Where everyone giggles
And rolls on the rug,
Where everyone kisses,
And everyone grins,
And everyone cuddles,
And everyone wins.

From the book "Where the Sidewalk Ends" (1974)

Shel Silverstein’s poem “Hug O’War” always pops into my head when I think about poetry. I think this poem is just perfect. The poem is short, sweet, and simple with the point being very clear. Silverstein has taken a game that is has been given the reputation of being competitive and rough and turned it into a game of kisses and giggles. I love the idea of having a game where everything is positive, no competition, no fighting and no losing. This is an important poem to share with children because it teaches a lesson about kindness.

Notice to Myself

Don't procrastinate:
it's time to vacate
shilly-shallying
dilly-dallying
idling sidling
ambling rambling
piddling fiddling
twiddling diddling
doodling noodling
and get right down to
non-shirk
work.

Eve Merriam

I just love this cute poem! It correctly portrays my life at the moment as I am a huge procrastinate. Eve Merriam uses funny unique words that even though they may have no many it gets the point across of what procrastinating means. This would be a neat poem to share with children for them to learn about procrastination. The book I got this poem from is from Knock at a Star: A Child's Introduction to Poetry which was mentioned in our Temple Text. In this poem Eve uses great elements of poetry. She touches on a certain rhytm by her word usage. She makes this poem really fun for children of all ages.

"Who has seen the wind?
Neither I nor you
But when the leaves hang trembling,
The wind is passing through.

Who has seen the wind?
Neither you nor I
But when the trees bow down their heads,
The wind is passing by."
--Christina G. Rossetti

This poem came out of Sing a Song of Popcorn: Every Child's Book of Poems. This book is an anthology of poetry that ranges from traditional to modern poems. I chose this poem about the weather because it reminds me of the coming of winter, much like the season in Boone currently. Some of the elements of poetry I observed in this poem are rhyme, alliteration, images, and form. In the first stanza, "you" and "through" rhyme. In the second stanza, "I" and "by" rhyme. Some words that I saw consonance in, a form of alliteration, are "Who" and "wind" and "neither" and "nor". The images this poem forms are images of tress rustling in the wind. No one can see the wind but we can observe it blowing a tree which is normally serene and peaceful. Something interesting that I noticed about the form of the poem is that the second and fourth lines in each stanza are indented. I believe that this symbolizes the movement of the wind throughout the poem.

Isn't My Name Magical?
by James Berry

Nobody can see my name on me.
My name is inside
and all over me, unseen
like other people also keep it.
Isn't my name magic?

My name is mine only.
It tells I am individual,
the one special person it shakes
when I'm wanted.

If I'm with hundreds of people
and my name gets called,
my sound switches me on to answer
like it was my human electricity.
Isn't that magical?

My name echoes across playground,
it comes, it demands my attention.
I have to find out who calls,
who wants me for what.
My name gets blurted out in class,
it is a terror, at a bad time,
because somebody is cross.

My name gets called in a whisper
I am happy, because
my name may have touched me
with a loving voice.
Isn't it all magic?

http://www.poetryarchive.org/childrensarchive/singlePoem.do?poemId=121

I love this poem. Every child can relate to the things mentioned throughout the poem. I do think all names are magical because they are such a big part of life, just like this poem describes. This poem doesn't rhyme, which I think is appropriate for this poem. This poem contains imagery, such as "my name echoes across playground, it comes, it demands my attention. I have to find out who calls, who wants me for what." The reader can sense the urgency to find out who called the child's name. I think this poem provides great insight to the simple importance of a name. This poem describes things all people have experienced, such as having your name called out in class or on the playground. Even though it is just a word, names are who we are. This would be a great poem to read in the classroom. It could be the basis for children finding out the origin of their names, what their names mean, etc.