My Diary from Here to There

by Amada Irma Pérez

Book Overview

This English/Spanish story begins as young Amada overhears her parents whisper of moving from Mexico to Los Angeles where greater opportunity awaits. As she and her family journey north, Amada records in her diary her fears, hopes, and dreams for their lives in the United States. Full-color illustrations."

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0892391758
• ISBN13: 9780892391752
• Release Date: July 2002
• Publisher: Children's Book Press (CA)
• Length: 31 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 8.7" x 10.2"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

Not good condition

This was supposed to be in good condition, but half a page is missing. That's not good condition.

great book

My diary from here to there is about a girl that lives in Ciudad Juares, mexico. she loves living in mexico, she has her BFF. Until one day she hears her mom and dad saying that their family needs to move to the United States. On the way to the United States they stop and rest at their uncles house. I like this book because it reminds me of my life. I was also born in Mexico and moved to the United States. I really didn't want to move, but I knew I had to go. My favorite part was when her brother were making laud noises and making a mess because everyone got mad at them, but after all,when the family left, everyone was sad. I recommend this book because it's a real story and because at first the girl doesn't want to go to the United States, but at the end she's fine with it.

EXCELENTE TRADUCCION AL ESPANHOL!!

Creo que es el primer libro bilingue que esta realmente bien traducido al espanhol. La historia es muy interesante especialmente para los immigrantes, asimismo, ayuda a que nuestros hijos entiendan y valoren el proceso de tener que mudarse de un pais a otro, querer su cultura y adaptarse a una nueva. Sin duda alguna recomendaria este libro para ninhos hijos de immigrantes.

Family/Familia

This is the second beautifully illustrated picture book yet again in both English and Spanish by Amada Irma Perez which paints a very interesting point of view about the differences between boys and girls. Boys find excitement in every aspect of moving to the USA while Amada worries about money, a place to live, her friends and whether she will be able to learn English. She worries about everything and remembers all details because she is diligently writing it all down in her journals. She writes about a brief mention in a letter her father wrote about Caesar Chavez which means a lot more in this day and age because who knew then what we know now about this wonderful man. This book made me want to know more about this wonderful family and how everything turned out for them. This book is not just for Spanish speaking readers but a wonderful book for all new immigrants. A must read.

Good, but terribly inconsistent

Amada is moving to from Mexico to America with her family. Such a move might be enough to worry any child, but Amada feels alone in her fear and worry. Her brothers, after all, don't seem to find anything problematic with the plan, and her parents are as prepared as they can be. Packing up and moving in with their relatives until their green cards come through, Amada's father searches for work and she writes her adventures in her diary. The book tells her story both in Spanish and in English, making it the perfect way to introduce a multitude of people to a single text. Author Amada Irma Perez has based this tale on her own experiences growing up. Like the protagonist she moved to America when she was a young girl, and the trip and relocation ultimately made her a stronger person. Perez is to be commended for this story. Because this is a children's book, it cannot directly tackle the worst aspects of immigrant life. Instead, it gently alludes to the myriad of problems awaiting the newest American citizens.The book has many wonderful aspects, but there are a few inconsistencies I had trouble getting past. At one moment, Amada receives a letter from her father who is toiling in the fields of California. He says that a man named Cesar Chavez is there and that perhaps good unions will form. I love Cesar Chavez and I feel he was one of the great American heroes, but suddenly the text jars horribly with the illustrations. Up until this point, this book could have taken place today in this day and age. After all, what female child in the 1950s wore jeans all the time or, for that matter, flip flops? It's as if the illustrator decided that this book was going to be contemporary, Cesar Chavez reference or no Cesar Chavez reference. It's a blemish on what is otherwise a very well put together book.Despite the Chavez allusion, I would recommend this book as a look on the current Mexican immigrant life and lifestyle. A great story for those kids who read English, and those that read Spanish. Anyone who peruses this story will instantly connect with the characters and their plight, making this a tale that needs to be told to little ones again and again and again.

Beautiful book

Beautiful illustrations and very compelling story. Great that it is bilingual and very useful for families who are soon to be or in the process of moving.