After their olive crop fails, Maria fears that her family will have to abandon their farm on the new island colony. Then, one night she dreams of a...
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reviews
Mar 10, 2009
Abigail
rated it: 
Based upon legends of Nuestra Senora de la Altagracia (Our Lady of Thanks), the patron saint of the Dominican Republic, Julia Alvarez's A Gift of Gracias tells the story of young Maria, whose family are newly settled on the island. When the olive crops fail, and things look so bleak that her family may have to leave their farm, Maria dreams of a beautiful woman with "golden skin and a crown of stars," and is inspired to suggest that they begin planting oranges...
I enjoyed A More...
I enjoyed A More...
Apr 21, 2010
Miriam
rated it: 
Marias family is suffering from a bad harvest and because of it they would be forced to leave the farm. Maria has a dream one night that reveals to her that the best thing to do is harvest oranges. The story is in both spanish and English and tells about the culture of Spain.
Mar 21, 2008
J-Lynn
rated it:
Alvarez explains in an informative postscript that the story is based on childhood stories that she was told about The Lady of Altagracia who is the patron saint of her country, the Dominican Republic. The book introduces us to young Maria who dreams of the Lady of Altagracia and learns of a way to save her family farm. Inspired by the mysterious native farm worker, Quisqueya, her family prospers. The back of the book says that Vidal “used a magnifying glass and small brushes in gouache to br
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Jan 27, 2008
Carmen
rated it:
This is a wonderful picture book for children that introduces them to the patron saint of the Dominican Republic and has magical tone that will enchant young readers.
Jun 09, 2008
Corinneecomly
rated it: 
Story of a Dominican girl whose dreams of Our Lady of Altagracia save the family farm. Beautiful drawings and well-written story.
Nov 16, 2009
Krista the Krazy Kataloguer
rated it:
Nice rendering of a legend from the Dominican Republic. It would go well with Tomie De Paola's The Lady of Guadalupe.
Aug 26, 2007
Susi
rated it:
An adorable kids book. The pictures are beautiful and the story is precioso.
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