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beths0103's review against another edition
4.0
After reading [b:Esperanza Rising|89763|Esperanza Rising|Pam Muñoz Ryan|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171163644s/89763.jpg|1510338], I knew that I wanted to read another book by Pam Munoz Ryan. As with Esperanza, Ryan creates yet another female protagonist in Naomithat you just want to hug and tell her everything will be OK.
I loved the characters in this book. I even loved the characters I hated. That is, I loved that I hated them so much. That meant that Ryan did a great job at tugging her readers' emotions. And Owen and Gram were equally as lovable as Skyla was detestable.
I loved the characters in this book. I even loved the characters I hated. That is, I loved that I hated them so much. That meant that Ryan did a great job at tugging her readers' emotions. And Owen and Gram were equally as lovable as Skyla was detestable.
trisha_thomas's review against another edition
3.0
March mother/daughter bookclub
a great children's book that deals with something hard. Your parents not being the "perfect" people. This one deals with alcoholism. It's very well done. I can't wait to talk to a group of little girls at the bookclub.
a great children's book that deals with something hard. Your parents not being the "perfect" people. This one deals with alcoholism. It's very well done. I can't wait to talk to a group of little girls at the bookclub.
agentlesound's review against another edition
5.0
Rereading a childhood favorite and not disappointed. I remember this book was one of the 1st -and maybe only children's book I read- where the mother was shown to be flawed and unloving. That was so important to me as a child. Reading how Naomi found her voice and became a lion/léon made sure this book has always stayed in the back of my mind. Definitely recommend.
katieproctorbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this sweet coming of age, finding yourself story. Lots to unpack here: mental illness, children being raised by a great-grandmother, a father in Mexico. I thought it was very well done—I loved Naomi and how much she grew and changed in this story.
shonaningyo's review against another edition
5.0
I love this book. The first book I read by Pam Munoz Ryan was Esperanza Rising which I was assigned to read by my team at school for a contest held near the end of the year to answer questions about the books on a pre-determined list. Something to encourage kids to read. Hell yeah we read, there were MEDALS.
Anyways. I love this book. Esperanza Rising was approached with a groan and a sigh, but Ryan's style of writing hooked me into the story quickly. And the same happened in Becoming Naomi Leon.
Naomi Leon is a great girl. She's innocent in a way, but she still knows what's happening around her. She's protective of her younger brother, Owen, who has a shorter leg than the other and therefore teased a lot at school. Naomi also has a unique hobby: Soap carving. It was an interesting little bit added to her character, and made her all the more real... Naomi also worried a lot, if I remember, a little neurotic and perfectionist, but that's okay. She still loves her tiny family all the same
Naomi lives in a trailer home in California with her great grandmother, who is a fiesty old broad, not taking lip from anyone and supply the two siblings with the love and kindness they never received from their missing father and vagrant mother, Skyla. But then Naomi and Owen receive a surprise: Naomi's mother just pops out of nowhere and wants to whisk Naomi away with her new boyfriend, Clive, to live in Vegas with her. Of course Naomi refuses, because she doesn't want to leave Owen behind (and great-grandma of course) and because she knows that her mother only needs her to babysit Clive's daughter Sapphire (that's not her real name by the way, Clive was just a jerk who changed it on his own whim). Great-Gram argues with Skyla, saying she would do anything and fight for custody of Naomi and Owen. Then before Skyla can do anything, Naomi and Owen are whisked away down to Mexico to hide from the harpy Skyla and Clive. It becomes quite an adventure for everyone, and I was into it too, hoping that Skyla wouldn't catch up to the kids and Great-Gram, because she stayed out of their lives long enough, why should she be allowed back into her kids' lives after being basically abandoned to do whatever she wants?
All in all, this is a good read. I'd recommend it to people who want a brave girl who sticks by her family (which seems to be a common theme in Pam Munoz Ryan's books so far...) and has a happy ending.
Anyways. I love this book. Esperanza Rising was approached with a groan and a sigh, but Ryan's style of writing hooked me into the story quickly. And the same happened in Becoming Naomi Leon.
Naomi Leon is a great girl. She's innocent in a way, but she still knows what's happening around her. She's protective of her younger brother, Owen, who has a shorter leg than the other and therefore teased a lot at school. Naomi also has a unique hobby: Soap carving. It was an interesting little bit added to her character, and made her all the more real... Naomi also worried a lot, if I remember, a little neurotic and perfectionist, but that's okay. She still loves her tiny family all the same
Naomi lives in a trailer home in California with her great grandmother, who is a fiesty old broad, not taking lip from anyone and supply the two siblings with the love and kindness they never received from their missing father and vagrant mother, Skyla. But then Naomi and Owen receive a surprise: Naomi's mother just pops out of nowhere and wants to whisk Naomi away with her new boyfriend, Clive, to live in Vegas with her. Of course Naomi refuses, because she doesn't want to leave Owen behind (and great-grandma of course) and because she knows that her mother only needs her to babysit Clive's daughter Sapphire (that's not her real name by the way, Clive was just a jerk who changed it on his own whim). Great-Gram argues with Skyla, saying she would do anything and fight for custody of Naomi and Owen. Then before Skyla can do anything, Naomi and Owen are whisked away down to Mexico to hide from the harpy Skyla and Clive. It becomes quite an adventure for everyone, and I was into it too, hoping that Skyla wouldn't catch up to the kids and Great-Gram, because she stayed out of their lives long enough, why should she be allowed back into her kids' lives after being basically abandoned to do whatever she wants?
Spoiler
I was so happy that Naomi and Owen reunited with their lost father. It didn't bring a tear to my eye, but it made me so ... happy (yes I reused that word two sentences in a row. Sue me.) And to tie up loose ends, Great-Gram gets custody of Naomi and Owen. Insert cheers of hurrah!All in all, this is a good read. I'd recommend it to people who want a brave girl who sticks by her family (which seems to be a common theme in Pam Munoz Ryan's books so far...) and has a happy ending.
kappareads's review against another edition
4.0
CW: parent dealing with alcoholism, parental abuse ableism
I went into this book not knowing much, but I was utterly charmed by the nostalgia of how this was written. I don't know how else to describe it, but the plot and characters are written very much in the style of a 2000s kid's book, and that nostalgia worked really well!
This is the story about how Naomi, her brother, and her great-grandmother's lives being turned upside down when their birth mother comes back for the first time in years, suddenly interested in the kid's lives again.
I went into this book not knowing much, but I was utterly charmed by the nostalgia of how this was written. I don't know how else to describe it, but the plot and characters are written very much in the style of a 2000s kid's book, and that nostalgia worked really well!
This is the story about how Naomi, her brother, and her great-grandmother's lives being turned upside down when their birth mother comes back for the first time in years, suddenly interested in the kid's lives again.
crystal_reading's review against another edition
4.0
This is a family story and I loved stepping into their home. Baby Beluga is the name of their trailer. There are many things that are difficult about their family situation (mostly because their mother has addiction issues), but there are so many things that are positive. Naomi and her brother are being raised by a very caring great grandmother. They haven't seen their father in years, but he wants to know them. They have close supportive adult neighbors too.
I felt like I was right in the midst of the family while I was reading. There was a wonderful sense of place throughout. I wanted to spend more time with Naomi's family.
I felt like I was right in the midst of the family while I was reading. There was a wonderful sense of place throughout. I wanted to spend more time with Naomi's family.
nadiadanielsmoehle's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
One of my favorite childhood books. Read it so many times, helped me navigate and make sense of addiction in my own family. Great for both kids and adolescents.
emilyusuallyreading's review against another edition
4.0
After reading Riding Freedom without much enjoyment, I was a little reluctant to read Becoming Naomi Leon. On one end, I didn't like Ryan's previous story, and I also totally judge books by their covers... and the cover of this book didn't catch my eye. However, I was hugely surprised. There is so much depth in this novel, particularly since it is written for middle grade students. Ryan introduces symbolism and metaphor to young adults perfectly. I was captivated by Naomi's story: her history, the journey to find her own identity, and how family means to her. This coming-of-age novel is beautiful and timeless.