blog on Becoming Naomi Leon, by Pam Munoz Ryan, Scholastic, 2007.
Genre: YA Fiction/multicultural
As I said in the earlier blog, Becoming Naomi Leon has many plot threads, and at first I was skeptical that she could pull off a novel that looked at parental rights, children with special needs, psychological abuse and cultural perspectives all in one novel for students ranging from 4th grade up through middle school. I am pleasantly surprised. One of the things I thought was most effective was the "family" surrounding Naomi. The strong opinionated grandmother, the kindly neighbors, and the mentoring teachers all worked together in a subtle web to keep both Naomi and her brother safe. It was a bit contrived, or perhaps just simplified as it might naturally be when viewed through a child's eyes, but it was still believable. I did not notice if different cultures were presented in more then a token role - it could be that the teachers were broken down by their ethnicity, but this would really only be apparent from their names. Naomi's new-found friend, Blanca, was an effective way to introduce a character from Mexico to familiarize the readers with that culture. I also thought the symbol of Owen's taping himself was a nice addition.
On a multicultural level, Ryan has introduced readers to a strong Hispanic family unit, living just at the povety level, relying on a community that respects others differences. This perspective is not new for Ryan, as she has written many well received novels having to do with strong Hispanic female characters. I respect that what she is writing about is something she has either experienced through her extended family, or she has researched it thoroughly.
Even though I teach Freshman, I do have students that come in with very low reading abilities, and I would feel confident in recommending this novel to them. It may be set for younger readers, but it is not simple in its plot or themes.
Elizabeth
Camel Mom said...
ReplyDeleteHi Liz,
Just finished Becoming Naomi Leon. I really enjoyed it. I found that the story was a bit sterotypical. Why is it that stories about Latinos is always that the children are abandoned and live with a relative?
I'm not saying that this never happens, but it always seems that stories about Latino families are always somewhat tragic. I'm Latina and did not have a life like this. My family was fairly normal. My dad worked, mom stayed home, and my sisters and I went to school. We lived in a nice neighborhood with very little crime, if any, and had a culturally diverse circle of friends.
I felt for Naomi. What I did connect with was the teasing at school. I wasn't cool and didn't always have the jordache or sassoon jeans but my clothes were fine. I had, and still keep in touch with, 3 really good friends and can say I was the only kid in the school to be accepeted into the High School of Music and Art.
Funny, I think about it now and remember that after being accepeted into the "Fame" school for voice, everyone wanted to talk to me and hear me sing. Until then, I wasn't anyone special. Like Naomi and her animal carvings. Isn't it sad that kids can be so mean until you do something special.
October 12, 2009 7:56 AM
Camel Mom said...
Hi Liz,
As I was reading Becoming Naomi Leon, I noticed a word I wasn't familiar with. It was bougainvillea. I googled the word and found that it is a tropical flowering vine that has beautiful flowers that look like paper. The articla from a horticultural article I was reading stated that the plant is actually found in South America, in the countries of Argentina and Brazil. This got me to thinking about the chapter on Multicultural literature in our text and the section on judging multicultural books. Our book talks about how "cultural details need to be represented accurately in literature." p.190
This to me was an example of how this particular detail is really inaccurate and could have been taken out of the story altogether. In teaching the book, this could be a plus or a minus. If a student happened upon this word and looked it up, it would be a good place for discussion and pulling in science. How could the plant have gotten to the neighbors home? Is the climate in Mexico the same in Oaxaca as it is in Argentina and Brazil where this vine grows?
The minus could be that there is no information on how this plant made its way to Oaxaca and no way te plant could suvive the climate in that part of Mexico.
This book does however bolster Naomi's self esteem about her Mexican culture and her father. The soap carving and finally the lion carving for the festival does give Naomi a real sense of pride and belonging. This could foster feelings of pride in their own culture for those students who read it and begin look for similar things in their own cultures. I love the vejigante masks of the Puerto Rican culture and teach about them in my Spanish classes and have students create their own. It gives me a sense of pride about my culture and in turn I open up conversation for students to share things about their families cultures.
October 19, 2009 6:30 PM
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Hi Liz,
ReplyDeleteAs in an earlier blog, I enjoyed Becoming Naomi Leon. I know my students would enjoy it as well, but being Latina, I would like to read more positive stories about Latinos. Yes there was a strong familial bond between Naomi, her grandmother, and her friends in the trailer park but not all Latino families live at the poverty level. As a Spanish teacher, I am often asked what it was like to live in a trailer or in a small house with no hot water livivng with all of my relatives, and they always ask me how many names I have. I don't get upset or angry. These questions just lend themselves to teachable moments where I can educate my students about common misconceptions they have either heard or read about in books.
It feels really good to be able to dispel the many stereotypes there are about Latinos and help put Latino culture in a positive light.
Your comments certainly changed my perspective. I am used to many young adult novels showing a variety of family units, usually with some member missing. I did not even think that she was making a social comment, or that this was considered typical of Latinos. I saw it as typical of YA fiction! But I can see where this could be a problem. I think this is an example of my ignorance because I never hear the questions you are hearing. This is what changes my perspective.
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