Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Return to Sender

3.6 of 5 stars 3.60 · rating details · 929 ratings · 351 reviews

After Tyler's father is injured in a tractor accident, his family is forced to hire migrant Mexican workers to help save their Vermont farm from foreclosure. Tyler isn’t sure what to make of these workers. Are they undocumented? And what about the three daughters, particularly Mari, the oldest, who is proud of her Mexican heritage but also increasingly connected her Americ...more

Hardcover, 325 pages

Published January 13th 2009 by Knopf Books for Young Readers (first published January 7th 2009)

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Add this book to your favorite list »

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 1,743)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Apr 16, 2009 Wendy rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2009-award-possibilities

Disappointing--definitely not one of her best. It's way too long for the middle grade audience (actually, it's just too long, but especially for middle grade), repetitious, occasionally preachy. I see several comments mentioning it as a "teen" book, but it's really not--the main characters are eleven (so no, it isn't that they just seem young), and the language is pretty simple, especially the author's notes in the back. Half the book is told in letters, and you see the standard problems--Mari a...more

1 like · like · see review

Mar 26, 2009 Walt rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Julia Alvarez knows how to characterize the blur in the line between right and wrong. She knows how to make it clear that reality and morality are continuums and not dichotomies of this or that, up or down, or yes or no. There are no absolutes. (Now, there's an oxymoron.) We have a long way to go.

Alvarez begins with a young man, her protagonist, Tyler, the younger eleven-year-old son in a family who has survived and thrived by running a dairy farm in Vermont. The family's farming heritage is at...more Julia Alvarez knows how to characterize the blur in the line between right and wrong. She knows how to make it clear that reality and morality are continuums and not dichotomies of this or that, up or down, or yes or no. There are no absolutes. (Now, there's an oxymoron.) We have a long way to go.

Alvarez begins with a young man, her protagonist, Tyler, the younger eleven-year-old son in a family who has survived and thrived by running a dairy farm in Vermont. The family's farming heritage is at risk. Tyler's older brother is away at college, mostly unavailable to help out on the farm without jeopardizing his education and eventual career, and Tyler's father has been injured and disabled, perhaps permanently, in a farming accident. Tyler's father can't do the work he normally did. It is unclear when and if he ever will be able to do the work again. Extended family also can't adequately help out. So paying the bills and keeping the farm is at risk. The family needs help or to change their dynamics: selling the farm, moving from their land, doing something entirely different than farming.

Tyler's parents eventually hire undocumented immigrants --- a couple of men --- to assist with the dairy work. One of the immigrant men is married and has three daughters. The oldest, Mari, slowly becomes Tyler's friend and ally, an unfolding as miraculous as springtime. Mari's mother has disappeared in the murky criminal element that arose to fulfill the void created by ambiguities in United States immigrant policies, underfunded policies that for years tacitly approved of undocumented immigrants coming to the United States to work in jobs that citizens in better times didn't want to do.

The analysis of various notions is tenderly at play in Alvarez's book:
What is a family?
What does it mean to be honest?
What good is it to have a law without compassion, or without implementing it and adequately funding its substantial enforcement?
What does it mean to be a good neighbor and a friend? What sacrifices are appropriate and necessary of good neighbors and friends? And does all of that that apply only to individuals and not to communities and to nations?
What is charity? Is it a weakness or strength?
What about religion and the mystical, and gazing into the heavens? Hope?

"... life is about change, change, and more change. 'When you're born as a child, you die as a baby. Just like when you're born as a teenager, you die as a child.'... 'But there are good sides even to bad or sad things happening,' my mom reminds me...."

This is a coming of age adventure where a boy and a girl have more love and compassion than the men and the women, where a couple of families have greater diplomacy toward each other than the greatest nations on earth do. So it would be good to take their advice and look into the heavens and contemplate the beauty of the night before flying apart.

Not just one star but five.(less)

2 likes · like · see review

May 14, 2013 Katrina added it · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult-literature, fiction

“I call my type of inspiration ‘the pebble in my shoe’ inspiration, that little pebble I can’t seem to shake out of my mind! Life gives me a lot of them.” (Alvarez, “In her own words” p.5).
Return to Sender tells the story of two children coming to terms with the realities of life within the context of immigration and the United States. In her review of the book Sonja Bollee writes, “There is a great deal of recent children’s fiction about immigration, but it tends to the earnest rather than the...more “I call my type of inspiration ‘the pebble in my shoe’ inspiration, that little pebble I can’t seem to shake out of my mind! Life gives me a lot of them.” (Alvarez, “In her own words” p.5).
Return to Sender tells the story of two children coming to terms with the realities of life within the context of immigration and the United States. In her review of the book Sonja Bollee writes, “There is a great deal of recent children’s fiction about immigration, but it tends to the earnest rather than the artful. Alvarez. . .focuses on the children and their dawning comprehension of the complexities of the adult world” (Sonja Bollee, January 25, 2009, LA Times). This is what makes the book such a valuable resource. The reader gets to see through the eyes of the children how they come to grips with the complicated choices we must make when faced with this issue of immigration and how we decide what it really means to be a citizen.

Return to Sender might not go into great depth in terms of the complicated nature of immigration law and reform, but for our students it will begin to unveil the complexity of the issue of immigration. It shows that many things we thought we could understand in black and white, can really only be understood in shades of grey. Notions of right and wrong aren’t always easy to pin down, but instead become the “pebble in our shoe” that we just can’t seem to get rid of, that we may struggle with throughout our lives.

Not only will the book encourage our students to be critical thinkers, but it will help them begin to negotiate the complex spaces they may have once thought quite simple. That is the power of good literature. In a quote about the book, Alvarez writes, “This is the wonderful thing about stories. The impossible is possible. . .There are no borders” (Return to Sender, p. 323). Stories like this push our students to think beyond their own world, or their own borders, and thus posit solutions to the problems the adult world poses. Hopefully, they learn that “by understanding another point of view we bridge the differences between ourselves and another human being” (Alvarez “In her own words” p. 8)

Check out our free Educator’s Guide at http://teachinglatinamericathroughlit...
(less)

like · see review

May 01, 2013 Dannie Gonzalez rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Julia Alvarez’s novel, Return to Sender, is one of my new favorite children’s books. This book is written in diary format where most of the story comes from the two main characters, Mari and Tyler. This book is long, so I do not recommend it for an audience younger than fifth grade. Similarly, the book tends to move very slowly, for instance, a problem is presented and it is not resolved until the very end of the book. I believe this novel is extremely culturally accurate. It depicts the experie...more

like · see review

Mar 08, 2013 Tessa Ann rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

After reading Return to Sender, I would have to say it was kind of a sad story. I enjoyed learning some stuff in the mexican culture, and i was able to see how Mari felt from her letters to her family members. I do not think that any children in elementary school should read the novel. First off the chapters are very long and drag on. It is very hard to keep children's attention that I think that they would just get bored with the book from the very begging. Another reason I think that this book...more

like · see review

Mar 07, 2013 Felicia rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Return to Sender is a children’s book that talks about a young boy who finds himself conflicted when his family is forced to hire immigrants to work on their farm. I feel like this book brings up a really important subject that must be addressed, immigration. Return to Sender really shows the liberal side of this situation. Immigrants often have the term alien attached to them which gives the impression of inhuman. Many people often overlook the human part of immigrants. Return to Sender shows t...more

like · see review

Mar 05, 2013 Marissa Kohlrenken rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book centers around eleven year old Tyler who has grown up on his family’s farm in Vermont. After the family falls on difficult times due to an accident, Tyler’s parent decide to hire illegal Mexican immigrants to work the farm. Tyler is upset about his parent’s decision to break the law, but later has a change of heart. The Mexican workers become like family to everyone on the farm. We learn about one of the girls, young Mari, and the struggles she has faced in her life. It is heart wrench...more

like · see review

Feb 13, 2013 Christina rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book is rich in culture authenticity through ought the whole book. I enjoyed reading this book because I was able to relate to it since I come from a Mexican culture. This is a great book for people who are not aware of this culture. After they read this book they will be able to better understand Mexican culture and the struggles they go through each and every day. In my opinion, this book is written in both an inside perspective and outside perspective. Tyler would be the outside perspect...more

like · see review

Feb 10, 2013 Paigezettneryahoo.com rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I thought this book was a good read. I found it interesting how they used Spanish terms and phrases throughout the book, but I thought it was cool! They even put the English translation immediately following whatever Spanish the author used, so I, not being able to speak Spanish, did not feel at all left out of the group of those reading the book whom may have been able to speak both languages. While reading this book, I feel like the reader will be able to relate to a number of situations menti...more

like · see review

Feb 09, 2013 Ernestine rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The Stress of Life and Building A Friendship!

I thought this book was a great book to read. I didn't think I was really going to like this book but my whole perspective changed after just reading the first two chapters.It just kept making me wonder what was going to happen next. Julia Alvarez introduces to characters name Tyler and Mari.They were the same age and in the same grade. Where pretty much their life was stressful Tyler having to worry about him and his family losing their farm because...more

like · see review

Dec 10, 2012 Lacey Luce rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Return to Sender
By Julia Alvarez
Alvarez, J. (2009). Return to sender. New York: Random House.

1. Contemporary Realism Junior Book

2. This story is about an Illegal Mexican family who is working in a farm in Vermont. Tyler the farmer’s boy creates a friendship with Mari one of the Mexican daughters. Throughout the story Mari and Tyler friendship grows as they struggle with difference between their cultures.

3. Topic of Story

b. This book is very rich into the topic of illegal immigration. For childr...more

like · see review

Dec 10, 2012 Ellen Shackley rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Genre: Contemporary Realism

Summary: This is the story of Tyler and Mari. Tyler is a young teen whose family is forced to hire illegal Mexican immigrants to work on the family farm after his father is in an accident. Mari is the oldest daughter in the Mexican family hired by Tyler's family. Both children are faced with deep emotional conflicts that help them learn and grow into young adults.

A) Area of Focus: Setting

B) While the main setting of this book is a rural town in Vermont, the author succ...more

like · see review

Dec 10, 2012 Brittany rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Genre: Contemporary Realism

Summary:
This book follows a little girl Mari and little boy Tyler as they form a friendship based on the trials, tribulations, and hardships faced when being a minority in this country in different ways.

Critique:
A) Relation to Historical Accuracy
B) This book is must-have when facing the contemporary issues minorities deal with when immigrating, whether legally or illegally. This book explores and connects the reader to the perspective of the children involved. The au...more

like · see review

Dec 03, 2012 Debbie Lee rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book was very insightful to me. I wish more people would read it. It forces you to realize how judgmental and hurtful human beings can be to one another. The author wrote an addendum in the back of the book in which she states that while this book is a work of fiction, the situation she describes is true. She tells us about laws that have been passed and what those laws mean to many people simply trying to survive and protect their families. I would like to read this book with fourth grader...more

like · see review

Nov 27, 2012 Arielle added it · review of another edition

Coming from Laredo, TX, a border town, this book really hit home for me. I can relate with many of the feelings that these characters feel throughout the book. In the book, “Mari’s” family lives in fear of being discovered by authorities and being sent back to Mexico. In Laredo, people hire “Maids/housekeepers.” These ladies are paid to wash, clean, dust, make breakfast, lunch and dinner and much more. Being a naïve younger girl I was so unaware at the small amount they get paid for all their la...more Coming from Laredo, TX, a border town, this book really hit home for me. I can relate with many of the feelings that these characters feel throughout the book. In the book, “Mari’s” family lives in fear of being discovered by authorities and being sent back to Mexico. In Laredo, people hire “Maids/housekeepers.” These ladies are paid to wash, clean, dust, make breakfast, lunch and dinner and much more. Being a naïve younger girl I was so unaware at the small amount they get paid for all their labor. Now being much older, it’s sad to realize that what a housekeeper makes in Laredo in one week is what I was making part-time in one day. Unfortunately I grew up having a house keeper, Gloria; therefore I can sympathize with this book. I remember on several accounts we would take Gloria to HEB with us and she always had this look of worry on her face, but once again I was oblivious to the fact that if they saw her they could take her back to Mexico. Growing up I’ve realized that the little money illegal immigrants make is more than likely going back to their family in Mexico. Certain letters that were written by Mari in some odd way made me wonder if Gloria felt the same way. I think it is extremely important that this book illustrates that “everyone is equal.” In example how Tyler and Mari become friends. Although two very different people, coming from two very different backgrounds, it’s significant that they show how close they become.
As far as the story is written I do have some clashes. It was difficult to understand at times for even me, which makes me think how my kids would understand it. Although I like how the letters show the different characters feelings towards different circumstances, I would have liked fewer letters and more narration.
If I ever plan on teaching in Laredo, I would definitely have my students read this book. If I would have been brought up with such knowledge as this book displays, I feel like I would have been more understanding to Gloria. Unfortunately, many people are so ignorant they do not realize how serious such an issue is and the emotions that people like Mari and her family feel.

(less)

like · see review

Nov 25, 2012 Kennisha Murray added it · review of another edition

Return to Sender was an okay book. I thought it did a good job of describing the situation and what Mexicans have to go through to get to the states. For somebody like me that doesn't know much about this culture the book kind of put everything into a different perspective. I like how the author made the book relatable to this culture as well. In all honesty I never really knew how serious situations like this was until I read the book. The only thing I didn't like about the book was how the aut...more

like · see review

Nov 25, 2012 Carly Allen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Don’t return this book to its sender!: An eye-opening book full of hope and inspiration. In today’s society, especially living in San Antonio, Texas I’ve heard lots of different perspectives about illegal immigrants. So often are those perspectives negative. This story was primarily written for children, but I would recommend it for adults as well, because it unveils sides to illegal immigration that people often overlook or simply don’t think about, including the separation of families and the...more

like · see review

Nov 25, 2012 Yvette rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The story of Return to Sender concerns two 11 year old's living in Vermont who come from different backgrounds which effects how they view certain aspects they are dealt with as the story unfolds. Mari is an illegal immigrant from Mexico who works in the farm with her family on Taylor's family farm. The book tells of a very touching story concerning friendship and viewing similarities. However, Taylor has a hard time understanding why his family would do something illegal despite his growing fri...more

like · see review

Nov 20, 2012 Savanah rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Reading Level: 5.6 (Lexile: 890)
Interest Level: 6-8th grade
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Main Characters: Tyler and Mari
Setting: Farm in Vermont
Point of View:
Award: Pura Belpre

This was a very powerful book overall. This novel is about a boy Tyler whose father is injured in a tractor accident. He is unable to work and is forced to hire migrant workers to help out with their farm in Vermont. He hires a family from Mexico. The oldest daughter is Mari. Mari is a girl who is very proud of her Mexican heri...more

like · see review

Nov 13, 2012 Daniela rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Grade Level: 5-7th grade
Main Characters: Tyler and Mari
Setting: Vermont
POV: third person chapters about Tyler and first person diary entries/letters from Mari

Summary:
This is a story about undocumented migrant workers told in two different perspectives. Tyler is an 11-year old boy whose father was injured and are at risk for losing their dairy-farm in Vermont. In order to keep their farm, they hire undocumented migrant workers to help keep it running. Mari is the same age as Tyler, and her family...more

like · see review

Nov 05, 2012 Jeffrey rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: children-lit-class-selections

1. Genre: Contemporary Realism
2. Summary: A family of illegal immigrants from Mexico are hired to work on a Vermont farm that is about to fail because the farmer had a bad accident and can’t work the farm by himself. Tyler, the farmer’s son, and Mari, one of the girls in the immigrant family, build a tenuous friendship that is tested by the differences in their cultures and the laws of Tyler’s country against illegal immigrants. By the end of the book, Tyler and Mari are good friends and it is t...more

like · see review

Oct 30, 2012 Mae rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Summary: This Contemporary Realism book follows Mari and Tyler, two young people in New England. After Tyler's father is injured in a tractor accident, he hires 3 mexican immigrants to help him work the farm. As they get to know each other, they tackle the problems involved in illegal immigration winning hearts along the way.
Critique: This book has a remarkable perspective on a difficult issue. Using point-of-view, Alvarez humanizes a volatile political debate.
Example: Even while Mari's mother i...more

like · see review

Oct 30, 2012 Blair rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Genre: Contemporary Realism

Summary: A young boy is faced with the prospect of selling his family's farm. When his father hires illegal Mexican migrant workers, Tyler overcomes challenges of right vs. wrong and befriends one of the worker's daughters.

Critique: A. Setting
B. This story provided excellent descriptions of the setting of Tyler's farm as well as the Mexican's home town in Mexico. All of the themes displayed throughout the story were reflective in some way of the two settings and the re...more

like · see review

Oct 29, 2012 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Genre- Junior Books- Historical
This book is about a little boy, Tyler and a little girl, Mari that embrace in a new kind of friendship with culture being the key to each other's finding of one another. Tyler's family hires a Mexican family to come work on their farm so they do not lose it. Mari, the 10-year-old daughter, struggles with the issue of her life in Vermont and her heritage.
A. The area of comment- Author's historical connection
B. The historical background of this book makes it more t...more

like · see review

Oct 16, 2012 Elizabeth Lloyd rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Return to Sender is a riveting story full of inspiring characters. Julia Alvarez highlighted the issue of immigration in her story. Through the book, the reader has the opportunity to read from both an American boy’s perspective and a Mexican girl’s view point. The pages are full of twists and realistic situations that illegal immigrants go through to work in the U.S. This book provides the way young children are affected by the issue of immigration and also the topic of freedom. Alvarez writes...more

like · see review

Oct 15, 2012 Ashley Adams rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

1. Junior Book- Contemporary Realism
2. After a young boy's father is nearly killed in a tractor accident, the family must hire Mexican migrant workers to help maintain the family farm.
3. Critique
a. The most significant element of the story is the current theme of illegal immigration, which is a major political and social issue in the United States in which students may face on a daily basis.
b. The characters in this story are so developed to make it truly come to life. I feel that because of...more

like · see review

Oct 15, 2012 Natalie Varnell rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Genre: Contemporary Realism
Summary:
Return to Sender is a story told through two different perspectives. The two voices to be heard throughout the book come from two different twelve year olds. One is a son of a farmer, and the other is the oldest of three Mexican daughters working without proper documents on a Vermont farm. Tyler is the young boy in this story and he learns that sometimes being wrong is being right. Mari is the young girl and through her letters we can see the struggle to be str...more Genre: Contemporary Realism
Summary:
Return to Sender is a story told through two different perspectives. The two voices to be heard throughout the book come from two different twelve year olds. One is a son of a farmer, and the other is the oldest of three Mexican daughters working without proper documents on a Vermont farm. Tyler is the young boy in this story and he learns that sometimes being wrong is being right. Mari is the young girl and through her letters we can see the struggle to be strong while holding onto hope in very grim circumstances. This story is one of hope, friendship, and humanity.
A) One of the most striking elements of this book is the taboo topic of illegal immigration. This book strives to reveal the struggles and “unfair” treatment of “illegal” immigrants. The reader gets a good sense of the author’s attitude towards the nations policies. I felt as though this book was written with a personal agenda coming from the author.
B) Although this book had strong themes of hope and friendship, it also portrayed “Americans” and Immigration Control Enforcement very negatively. I feel as though this book may be inappropriate for elementary students. The book at times seems to stir up some hostility. I also feel that this is a topic that most elementary students may not fully understand. I also feel as though some of the attitudes demonstrated are not accurately in line with how children truly feel. I do not think that most children care if another child has his/her documents. I also felt at times Mari’s letters were “unbelievable” in the sense that a young girl wouldn’t write such details. The author should have shorten the letters to make them seem more authentic.
C) The author continually placed different moral dilemmas throughout the story. She seemed to have a theme that sometimes the right thing is to break the rules (or the laws). “Sometimes, a country has these laws that have nothing to do with what’s right or what’s best for most people involved.” (page 56) “That being an adult is about navigating your way through choices and challenges using the North Star of your heart and conscience.” (pg. 257). Alvarez incorporated different examples of times when it’s ok to break the rule such as telling white lies, allowing an extra visitor for a prisoner, and hiding illegal aliens. The grandma lies about the reason why she wants Spanish lessons in order to help keep the confidentiality of the Mexicans (pg. 143). There are many more examples like this throughout the story. Also Alvarez makes connections with people whom were treated poorly in the past such as Native Americans with the Trail of Tears, slaves, and even Mary and Joseph. I feel this book can create hostility and resentment for those that may be immigrants whether legal or illegal. I also was shocked to find the following quote within this “children’s” book. “All I can say is O’Goody’s having a good day today. Either that or he finally got laid.” (page 293). I most definitely found this quote inappropriate.
Curriculum Connection:
Children will need to understand what it means to be an “Illegal alien” before reading this book. I would take the time to discuss what an illegal alien is as well as some of the laws that we have in place regarding the issue. I also would go over how a person can come to the United States legally, and why illegal immigration is a real issue.
I think it would be interesting for students to research the different ways illegal immigrants come into the country and just how dangerous their journeys typically are.
(less)

like · see review

Oct 15, 2012 Samantha Duncan rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

1. The genre this book falls under is Junior Book: Historical Fiction
2. This is a fantastic story about a boy and his new Mexican friend coming together as one to deal with the repercussions of his fathers tractor accident and the effects it takes on his family when they hire her family (Mexican illegal immigrants) to work on their farm. This book encompasses multiple aspects of life: heartache and fear, love, friendship, family and history.
3. A). The area for comment is plot and history.
B). I...more 1. The genre this book falls under is Junior Book: Historical Fiction
2. This is a fantastic story about a boy and his new Mexican friend coming together as one to deal with the repercussions of his fathers tractor accident and the effects it takes on his family when they hire her family (Mexican illegal immigrants) to work on their farm. This book encompasses multiple aspects of life: heartache and fear, love, friendship, family and history.
3. A). The area for comment is plot and history.
B). I thought this book was a great depiction of historical and current immigration laws and the consequences those immigrants face when they are caught. It also includes some of the underground consequences when it talks about Mari's missing "mother" who was captured by the "coyotes". This book's plot does an amazing job of showing just how different others lives can be. The deep felt issues between Tyler dealing with his family's issues on the farm and Mari's emotional struggle with losing her mother and not knowing what's really going on allows you to relate to the characters. The compassion you see within this story is also very intense. Seeing these two families connect is a huge attribute to this book. I feel like this has been one of the best books I've read thus far.
C). The best example form the text are the heartfelt letters that Mari writes. These are immersed throughout the book and provide a great example of the emotions that are felt by Mari throughout her life experiences. In multiple letters, Mari writes about her experiences leaving Mexico, being within the US and then again when she leaves the US and is sent back to Mexico. This helps the plot evolve throughout the book. Her letters also go to show her relationship with Tyler and how friendships have no boundaries. When you write from the heart there is no exception to what can be accomplished. The plot for this story really hit home with me and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
4. To use this in a classroom lesson, I would base it off Mari's letters. I would express the importance of formal letter writing and expressing one's thoughts and opinions within them. Using Mari's letters as examples would allow me to use this book to incorporate writing into a lesson while viewing letters within the book. Each student can pick someone to write to (either a loved one that's passed on or someone still here). Either way the student will be able to express themselves and learn to write formally as well.(less)

like · see review

Oct 15, 2012 Stacey rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Genre – Contemporary Realism

Summary:
Tyler’s father is injured in a tractor accident causing the unexpected possibility of his family losing the family farm. However in an effort to save the farm his parents hire three Mexicans brothers to come work that turn out to be illegal immigrants. The three little girls come with their uncles and father. Two were born in the U.S. and are legal citizens and the other was born in Mexico making her an illegal immigrant. This story is told through Tyler and i...more Genre – Contemporary Realism

Summary:
Tyler’s father is injured in a tractor accident causing the unexpected possibility of his family losing the family farm. However in an effort to save the farm his parents hire three Mexicans brothers to come work that turn out to be illegal immigrants. The three little girls come with their uncles and father. Two were born in the U.S. and are legal citizens and the other was born in Mexico making her an illegal immigrant. This story is told through Tyler and interwoven through Mari as she writes letters to her mom that has been missing.

A) Alvarez did an excellent job showing how laws and politics can affect the lives of people. She demonstrates how two characters can overcome their differences and personal beliefs to become friends.

B) Many view immigrants one-way especially those that are illegal. They feel that they don’t belong here and that they should return back to where they came from. In the Section - Farm for the Lost and Found, Mr. Bicknell, the children’s teacher stands up at a town meeting and points out how everyone’s ancestors at one time or another came from somewhere else. Who are we to say who doesn’t belong when everyone is trying to find a better life and provide for his or her family?

C) Friendships can often be confusing not only when it is between a boy and a girl, but also when politics or what others think plays a role. Mari only wants to feel like she belongs and to have a friendship with Tyler. Tyler is confused and not sure how he should feel towards Mari. However after Mr. Bicknell’s speech located in the Section - Farm for the Lost and Found he passes Mari a note that says, “Thank you for helping save our farm.” In chapter nine, Summer Again, Tyler is writing Mari a letter before she is deported with her family back to Mexico and in this letter he is telling her about the gift that he is giving her. He is giving her his telescope so they can stay connected through the stars because they will be staring at the same ones just in different places. He talks about him visiting her in Las Margaritas and her one day coming back to the U.S., but the main thing is how he signs the letter (Your friend forever, Tyler).

Curriculum Connection:
This book could be used in upper elementary grades or lower middle school grades in connection with Social Studies when learning about immigration. Do students understand what legal and illegal immigration is? This would be a good book to use to show the reason why so many immigrants come to the United States illegally. Research the struggles and hardships they encounter along the way, but why do many still come time and time again even after being deported. Have students research what the United States has done to prevent illegal immigration. On a personally level what is their view? Do they believe that things need to be changed? Should the Cruz family have been deported or have been allowed to stay?
(less)

like · see review

Oct 14, 2012 Alison Flemming rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Return to Sender by Julia Alvarez (Alfred A. Knopf 2009) 325p. Contemporary Realism.

Summary: This is a story about a family who is struggling to make it on a farm after unfortunate events happen to them. Migrant Mexican workers show up to help save the farm but come to find out the Mexican workers may not be here legally.

Critique:
a. Friendship and the idea of what is right and wrong is a strong theme in this story. The characters have to decide just because it’s against the law, does it make i...more Return to Sender by Julia Alvarez (Alfred A. Knopf 2009) 325p. Contemporary Realism.

Summary: This is a story about a family who is struggling to make it on a farm after unfortunate events happen to them. Migrant Mexican workers show up to help save the farm but come to find out the Mexican workers may not be here legally.

Critique:
a. Friendship and the idea of what is right and wrong is a strong theme in this story. The characters have to decide just because it’s against the law, does it make it wrong.

b. Even though Tyler didn’t want to become friends or even talk to the three girls, he did and even became very close to them. He even became sad at the thought of them leaving. In addition, it was always a struggle for Tyler when he found out that the Mexican Migrant workers didn’t have papers so they were working on the farm illegally. It seemed that it was hard for his parents at first to but they were desperate to save the farm so that’s what they felt like they had to do.

c. For example, in the beginning when his mom suggest that Tyler go talk to the girls to make them feel welcome he puts his face in his hands and he “hopes his mom is not suggesting that he has to be friends with three girls just because their father works on their farm” (40). Then when Tyler finds out the truth that they are illegally in the United States, Tyler says “so what are we going to do? This is upsetting. Illegal people are living on their farm. Should we call the police?” (56-57). By the end he is accepting and actually trying to find out what the girls want for Christmas so that they will be happy. Tyler continues to ask “There must be something you want?” (148). This just shows the progression of friendship that Tyler has made with the girls but especially Mari.

Curriculum Connection: I think this book could be used in a couple different ways. It would most likely be used in history when discussing political issues or laws since the Migrant workers were here illegally and this is actually going on today. The students could write letters to someone since Mari writes letters constantly throughout the book. In addition, the students could just pick a character and write an essay on how they would feel if they were in that situation or what they would do.
(less)

like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 58 59 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend it | Stats | Recent status updates

combine
Other Editions (17)

More editions...

Genres

Young Adult

40 users

Realistic Fiction

38 users

Cultural

22 users

Childrens

18 users

Childrens > Juvenile

12 users

Childrens > Middle Grade

10 users

Historical Fiction

9 users

Family

5 users

Social

4 users

Business

3 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Julia Alvarez

Julia Alvarez was born in New York City. Her parents moved back to the Dominican Republic when Alvarez was 3 months old and she was raised there until she was 10, when the family moved back to NYC.

She is currently writer-in-residence at Middlebury College and the owner of a coffee farm named Alta Gracia, near Jarabacoa in the mountains of the Dominican Republic. The farm hosts a school to teach l...more

More about Julia Alvarez...

Books by Julia Alvarez

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Return to Sender

1 trivia question

More quizzes & trivia...

title link	preview: Return to Sender
avg rating	preview: Return to Sender Goodreads rating: 3.60 (929 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4599006-return-to-sender?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320488073l/4599006.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4599006-return-to-sender?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Return to Sender by Julia Alvarez[/url]

Return to Sender

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website