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bmg20's review against another edition
3.0
‘Under the Mesquite’ was kindly provided to me by Netgalley for Lee & Low Books.
Interested in more of my reviews? Visit my blog!
2.5 stars
The Storyline
‘Under the Mesquite’ tells the story of Lupita and her Mexican American family. Lupita struggles with finding her own identity in a new place after her family moves from Mexico to the United States. To make matters worse she has discovered that her mother has cancer and will undergo surgery to hopefully give her more time on this Earth. Desperate to help in any way she can, Lupita takes care of her 7 younger siblings so that her father can take care of her mother. Unable to handle the stress of the situation, Lupita resorts to writing ‘seeking refuse in the healing power of words.’
Thoughts
I picked this book up after finding out that it’s written in free-verse; I’ve been a sucker for any type of book written in that format recently. Getting a few of these types of books under my belt, I’ve never felt that books have suffered from being written in that format. Unfortunately, this was the case here for me. This was an emotional story that could have been extremely heart-wrenching, but I didn’t feel this emotion come through sufficiently for me. It was an emotional-disconnect for me and it should have been the exact opposite.
Interested in more of my reviews? Visit my blog!
2.5 stars
The Storyline
‘Under the Mesquite’ tells the story of Lupita and her Mexican American family. Lupita struggles with finding her own identity in a new place after her family moves from Mexico to the United States. To make matters worse she has discovered that her mother has cancer and will undergo surgery to hopefully give her more time on this Earth. Desperate to help in any way she can, Lupita takes care of her 7 younger siblings so that her father can take care of her mother. Unable to handle the stress of the situation, Lupita resorts to writing ‘seeking refuse in the healing power of words.’
Thoughts
I picked this book up after finding out that it’s written in free-verse; I’ve been a sucker for any type of book written in that format recently. Getting a few of these types of books under my belt, I’ve never felt that books have suffered from being written in that format. Unfortunately, this was the case here for me. This was an emotional story that could have been extremely heart-wrenching, but I didn’t feel this emotion come through sufficiently for me. It was an emotional-disconnect for me and it should have been the exact opposite.
kelleemoye's review against another edition
5.0
Summary: Lupita's family came to Texas to follow the American dream when she was a child. Her father is always working and her mother's only job is to be a mother. Lupita had a life that she adored- She is the oldest of 8 siblings and has always had a set role in her family: a mini-mom helping her mother raise her siblings. She couldn't ask for anything else. But then Lupita notices her mother acting depressed and crying by the mesquite tree in the rose garden. Then Lupita eavesdrops and learns that her mother has cancer. Now, everything that was predictable and normal about her life are no longer her focus. Will her life ever return to normal again?
What I think: This book is a beautiful book in verse that not only has a touching narrative, but has exquisite verse. The narrative deals with a topic that many readers will have some sort of connection with, cancer, as well has coming of age in a household where the disease has struck. But what makes this book different than other stories about the effects of cancer is that it also tells the story of growing up as a Mexican-American here in America.
Snatch of Text: These are just three of almost a hundred amazing snatches of text that would be great mentor texts for different poetic elements.
"and the moon in this place
is wearing a pale, thin dress
as it seems to jump from behind
one cloud to another, hiding
its exquisite face from us." (p. 144)
"For my sisters, senorita means
having someone to worship:
it is the wonder of
seeing their oldest sister
looking like Cinderella
on her way to the ball." (p. 76)
"The other girls follow them,
a convoy of high-heeled hyenas
in mass migration." (p. 81)
Originally read: October 10, 2011
Reread: July 13, 2012
Complete review with teaching ideas at: http://www.teachmentortexts.com/2011/10/under-mesquite.html
What I think: This book is a beautiful book in verse that not only has a touching narrative, but has exquisite verse. The narrative deals with a topic that many readers will have some sort of connection with, cancer, as well has coming of age in a household where the disease has struck. But what makes this book different than other stories about the effects of cancer is that it also tells the story of growing up as a Mexican-American here in America.
Snatch of Text: These are just three of almost a hundred amazing snatches of text that would be great mentor texts for different poetic elements.
"and the moon in this place
is wearing a pale, thin dress
as it seems to jump from behind
one cloud to another, hiding
its exquisite face from us." (p. 144)
"For my sisters, senorita means
having someone to worship:
it is the wonder of
seeing their oldest sister
looking like Cinderella
on her way to the ball." (p. 76)
"The other girls follow them,
a convoy of high-heeled hyenas
in mass migration." (p. 81)
Originally read: October 10, 2011
Reread: July 13, 2012
Complete review with teaching ideas at: http://www.teachmentortexts.com/2011/10/under-mesquite.html
hulahoopes's review against another edition
4.0
Amazing - as she did with Mariposa, the author brings her characters to real life. Can't wait to bring this one to the girls in my library - they will see themselves in so much of this book.
kawarwick's review against another edition
5.0
Awesome novel in verse. Wonderful story of how cancer effects a young girl's life.
readwithpassion's review against another edition
5.0
This is a gorgeous book in verse that tells the story of Lupita, whose family moved from Mexico to Texas in search of a better life. When Lupita overhears that her mother has cancer, her life changes suddenly. She takes on the responsibility of her seven younger brothers and sisters.
The poetry is incredibly compelling and would be a great model to use in classrooms. I plan to use some of the poems to teach similes, metaphors, personification, and other literary elements. Kids will appreciate Lupita's strong, beautiful voice.
The poetry is incredibly compelling and would be a great model to use in classrooms. I plan to use some of the poems to teach similes, metaphors, personification, and other literary elements. Kids will appreciate Lupita's strong, beautiful voice.
kristid's review against another edition
3.0
Such a beautifully written story. Sad but hopeful.
I had a hard time getting into the story. It didn’t have anything to do with the quality of the story, but for the lack of format in my eGalley copy. Being in verse it was hard to tell what was actually how the author wrote it and what was messed up in the transfer of the book to my e-reader. I tried not to judge my reading experience on that, but it was hard to look past it and get into the flow of the story.
This was a very emotional story. Watching Lupita deal with things that no person let alone a teen should endure was heartbreaking. Yet, she remains poised and unyielding. She’s an admirable character.
Besides the story itself, I loved the cultural aspect of this novel, being exposed to and learning about a culture much different than my own is always something that I enjoy.
Under the Mesquite was just a wonderful story. It was heartbreaking yet hopeful.
I had a hard time getting into the story. It didn’t have anything to do with the quality of the story, but for the lack of format in my eGalley copy. Being in verse it was hard to tell what was actually how the author wrote it and what was messed up in the transfer of the book to my e-reader. I tried not to judge my reading experience on that, but it was hard to look past it and get into the flow of the story.
This was a very emotional story. Watching Lupita deal with things that no person let alone a teen should endure was heartbreaking. Yet, she remains poised and unyielding. She’s an admirable character.
Besides the story itself, I loved the cultural aspect of this novel, being exposed to and learning about a culture much different than my own is always something that I enjoy.
Under the Mesquite was just a wonderful story. It was heartbreaking yet hopeful.
sam_reader_era's review against another edition
4.0
Copyright: 2011, Genre: Fiction
Under the Mesquite gives a beautiful window into the culture of a Mexican-American family. A few Spanish words sprinkled throughout this verse novel that could also serve as a mirror for multilingual students. A book for middle school age students and up in which themes of family, hardships, grief, and resilience are prevalent.
I enjoyed the book, though I do agree that at times it felt more story-line than poetry. However, it does have its handful of beautiful language, so I didn't really mine.
Under the Mesquite gives a beautiful window into the culture of a Mexican-American family. A few Spanish words sprinkled throughout this verse novel that could also serve as a mirror for multilingual students. A book for middle school age students and up in which themes of family, hardships, grief, and resilience are prevalent.
I enjoyed the book, though I do agree that at times it felt more story-line than poetry. However, it does have its handful of beautiful language, so I didn't really mine.
mengler87's review against another edition
5.0
awesome and inspiring! Loved the poetry, the culture and the lesson!
samanders13's review against another edition
5.0
This was a beautiful book written in gorgeous prose. I would recommend.