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The Most Beautiful Place in the World
by
Ann Cameron
"Seven-year-old Juan lives in Guatemala, a place of stunning beauty and grim economic reality. Abandoned by his mother, Juan lives with his grandmother and shines shoes. He passionately wants to attend school, but fears Grandmother will say no. Finally gathering his courage, he is surprised when she not only agrees to send him to school but also chides him about the import...more
ebook, 64 pages
Published
June 8th 2011
by Yearling
(first published January 1st 1988)
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The Most Beautiful Place in the World by Ann Cameron (of the Stories Julian Tells series) is written for children ages 8-12. I discovered when looking for books for my students to read this summer. I not only found it an appropriate read for them, I was personally touched by Juan, a young Guatemalan boy abandoned by his father and then mother. His greatest dream is to go to school. To say more would give away the meaning of the story but I will say that I found the writing clean and clear and th...more
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May 08, 2010
Marie Neuner
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
esl,
young-adult
Snapshot: Juan, a seven-year old Guatemalan boy is abandoned by his young mother; she lives nearby with a stepfather who has disowned the young boy. Juan lives with his grandmother and his uncles, but always questions their love and loyalty--after all, his own mother has rejected him and started a new family to which he does not belong. Eventually, Juan begins to feel valued as he starts working and earning money for his grandmother, but he longs to go to school and get an education. While worki...more
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Apr 07, 2013
Holly
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
children-s-books,
hispanic
I have mixed opinions on this book; on the one hand, it's a realistic depiction of the complicated mixed-family situations common to Central America. However, the author writes from an informed point of view; if the story were actually told by a child from a Guatemalan background (as opposed to someone used to U.S. culture), many events or reactions would not be emphasized as they are in the text. So, the way the story is told does not feel genuine, but the story itself is a good look at the rea...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Our first read-aloud in a long time. This goes along with our Guatemala theme as it's about a little town in the mountains there.
This is a sad story about a little boy abandoned by father and then later, mother. But it is a story of triumph as he is motivated to teach himself to read and then gather the courage to ask his Grandmother if he can attend school. We also learned tidbits about the country and talked about what it would be like to be this boy. The pencil drawings are really very nice.
This is a sad story about a little boy abandoned by father and then later, mother. But it is a story of triumph as he is motivated to teach himself to read and then gather the courage to ask his Grandmother if he can attend school. We also learned tidbits about the country and talked about what it would be like to be this boy. The pencil drawings are really very nice.
Juan lives in San Pablo, Guatemala, with his hardworking grandmother, left with her after his mother marries a man who does not want Juan around. It's Juan's grandmother who nurtures his work ethic and then, when Juan begs to attend school, a vision for the future, encouraging him to study hard. Classic transitional chapter book that will make young readers want to define their own "most beautiful place in the world."
Juan's mother left him with his grandmother, he shines shoes to earn a living. He is 7-year old Juan wants to learn to read and go to school. Guatemala comes alive in this book. Juan grandmother also wants him to go to school. Good book for independent reading . the illustrations are in black and white.
Cute very short story about a little boy that lives in Guatemala. I liked it because his story depicts what life is like in a third world county. The beauty of the surroundings, the poverty and the yearning people have to succeed in life through education.
This isn't the Guatemalan book I wanted to read this September, but my top 2 choices were out. I didn't realize this book would literally take only 15 minutes to read. A sad, but highly likely to happen book about a little boy in Guatemala.
What an amazing short text! My fourth graders can't believe how much story can be packed into just 57 pages! They enjoyed the discussions around many of the themes that arose from this story. It's a great text for teaching literary essays.
One of the most moving stories you will ever read. I had the honor to meet the author in Guatemala and volunteered at a school she supported. A great read aloud book for any elementary aged children.
even though this is a children's book i still like it ! . i learnt that the most beautiful place in the world is anywhere it is up to you to think if it is beautiful or not
Great 1-day read-aloud for kids of any age. Makes me cry every time. Beautiful touching story of a little boy in Guatemala, growing up as so many of Guatemala's children do.
My students find this book very touching and many of them relate to it. Many want to know if it is non-fiction.
One of the best books I've ever read. Seriously...
that this bookis the beautiful book in the world
De los favoritos de la infancia.
libro muy bonito y un poco triste
Short and awesome :)
Sad book.
Nov 09, 2008
Krista the Krazy Kataloguer
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
read-childrens-books
This brief story touched me deeply. I felt so sorry for this little Guatemalan boy whose parents desert him and who wonders if anyone really loves him. His grandmother, with whom he lives, is poor, as are most of the villagers. Ann Cameron brings out the beauty of the countryside in which the village is situated, making me want to visit and see it for myself. I highly recommend that this book be read with a box of tissues close at hand!
Jun 10, 2008
Jessica
rated it
1 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Jessica by:
school
Important topic; dreadful book.
1 like · like · see review
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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| nicoleeeee | 1 | 1 | Jan 25, 2013 03:01pm |
Ann Cameron grew up in Wisconsin. Today, she and her husband live in Guatemala. From her house she can see a waterfall and three volcanoes. Ann Cameron has been a teacher and an editor as well as a writer.
She says that writing is hardest for her at the beginning of a book. To get started, she follows this important rule for writing: "Apply seat of pants to bottom of chair."
More about Ann Cameron...
She says that writing is hardest for her at the beginning of a book. To get started, she follows this important rule for writing: "Apply seat of pants to bottom of chair."
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