Marisol and Magdalena: The Sound of Our Sisterhood

By Veronica Chambers

Book Overview

Marisol and Magdalena are mejores amigas - best friends - who live in Brooklyn. They have grown up with their extended families, a group of colorful, eccentric relatives who are forever trying to reach the girls the ways of Panama, their native land. For Marisol, a Latinegra - a black and a Latina - child, life is especially challenging as she tries to balance several heritages. When Marisol's mother sends her to live in Panama with her abuela, the move puts Marisol's American values to the test, and also tests her friendship with Magdalena. But going to Panama also presents an opportunity for Marisol to search for her father, Lucho, a man she has never met.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0786813040
• ISBN13: 9780786813049
• Release Date: March 2001
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.5" x 0.6" x 5.3"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

Buy This Book! It is the best! You'll learn about Panama and two girls' sisterhood and friendship.

What we liked about the book was that Marisol learns about her heritage. Also, at the end of the book, Marisol was capable of filling her life and heart with new loves. What we detested was that at the end it didn't say anything about Magdalena, Mami, and Lucho. Also, at times it gave too few details. Overall we definitely recommend this book.

My Life in Panama/New York

Marisol is an eighth-grader who is panamanian. She lives in New York with her mother.Her mother sends her away to Panama to live with a grandmother she has never met. Marisol ends up learning not to judge a book by its cover. She also learns how easy it is to make friends in another country. I LOVED THE BOOK BECAUSE IT WAS FUNNY, AND SAD. IT MADE ME WANT TO GO LOOK FOR A LONG-LOST RELATIVE.

Marisol and Magdelena the sound of our sisterhood

This book is the greatest book I've read on my level of reading.It shows a friend ship that will last. Ruben and marisol should have thier own book.It was fun reading: MARISOL AND MAGDELENA THE SOUND OF OUR SISTER HOOD

Made me want more!

I received this book as part of my teaching curriculum, and read it all in one afternoon. It's fast, light, and gives so many opportunities to start discussions on what it means to be from two (or more) cultures, it's scary. I thought it ended too soon, but maybe (hopefully) that's because Ms. Chambers plans to write more about Marisol and her friends. Certainly will draw kids in and the ending provides (at least for me) a chance to allow my students to continue Marisol's adventures and ask them, "What happens next?". Good job!

Just the right book for bi-cultural children and teenagers.

Kudos for Veronica Chambers!!! This book is great a must have in your children's bookshelf. I am a Panamanian mother of 2 children born in the U.S. Now they can see that you don't have to choose. That you can embrace and love both cultures, it is O.K. to be both, Born in the USA and a Panamanian. That your heart is big enough to love both cultures and you are smart enough to speak two languages. Be proud of who you are.