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 fo...
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reviews
Mar 26, 2009
Walt
rated it: 
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 her More...
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 her More...
Jan 13, 2009
Jennifer
rated it:
Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com
Julia Alvarez's new book, RETURN TO SENDER, explores the issue of illegal immigration. Two twelve-year-olds share their connected stories involving this politically sensitive subject.
Tyler's family runs a dairy farm. Up until the sudden death of his grandfather and then his father's farming accident, things had been going well. Now that his older brother is leaving for college, there isn't enough h More...
Julia Alvarez's new book, RETURN TO SENDER, explores the issue of illegal immigration. Two twelve-year-olds share their connected stories involving this politically sensitive subject.
Tyler's family runs a dairy farm. Up until the sudden death of his grandfather and then his father's farming accident, things had been going well. Now that his older brother is leaving for college, there isn't enough h More...
Dec 09, 2011
Becca
rated it: 
1. Contemporary Realism
2. Return to Sender is a story written by Julia Alvarez. After an accident prevented proper care of the family farm, Mexican workers came to help with Tyler's family to help with the work around the farm. A Mexican daughter and the American boy soon found comfort in themselves but faced many adversities and cultural differences along the way.
3. a) The great connection of friendship despite the everyday "norms" is a great strength prese More...
2. Return to Sender is a story written by Julia Alvarez. After an accident prevented proper care of the family farm, Mexican workers came to help with Tyler's family to help with the work around the farm. A Mexican daughter and the American boy soon found comfort in themselves but faced many adversities and cultural differences along the way.
3. a) The great connection of friendship despite the everyday "norms" is a great strength prese More...
Nov 07, 2011
Sara
rated it:
1. Genre: Junior Book/Contemporary Realism
2. Summary: Mari awaits her mother’s return from Mexico, but fears she won’t know where to find Mari and her family. While feeling as though she just doesn’t quite belong, Mari must be the mother of the house and not let her sisters know the graveness of their situation. Mari’s only outlet seems to be her letting writing, until she befriends Tyler.
3. Critique:
a. One of the greatest strengths of this story is the use of t More...
2. Summary: Mari awaits her mother’s return from Mexico, but fears she won’t know where to find Mari and her family. While feeling as though she just doesn’t quite belong, Mari must be the mother of the house and not let her sisters know the graveness of their situation. Mari’s only outlet seems to be her letting writing, until she befriends Tyler.
3. Critique:
a. One of the greatest strengths of this story is the use of t More...
Nov 02, 2011
Kristina
rated it: 
Genre: Contemporary Realism
After a series of unfortunate events, Tyler’s family is forced to hire illegal immigrants to maintain the upkeep of their Vermont farm. This sparks an unlikely friendship between Tyler and a young illegal immigrant girl, Mari. Both have many worries, but through these worries, they learn about diversity and acceptance.
a.) A major strength of the book is the organization of the text, especially focusing on the inclusion of personal letters from M More...
After a series of unfortunate events, Tyler’s family is forced to hire illegal immigrants to maintain the upkeep of their Vermont farm. This sparks an unlikely friendship between Tyler and a young illegal immigrant girl, Mari. Both have many worries, but through these worries, they learn about diversity and acceptance.
a.) A major strength of the book is the organization of the text, especially focusing on the inclusion of personal letters from M More...
Oct 23, 2011
Ashley
rated it:
1.Return to Sender: Contemporary Realism
2.American Tyler and Mexican Mari become connected after her family is illegally employed to work on Tyler’s family’s farm. They come from different backgrounds, but forge a bond that is very strong despite the hardships each family endures.
3. Critique
a.Lawfulness and cultural diversity are the areas I would like to comment on.
b.I feel like I could write two critiques on this book because I loved certain as More...
2.American Tyler and Mexican Mari become connected after her family is illegally employed to work on Tyler’s family’s farm. They come from different backgrounds, but forge a bond that is very strong despite the hardships each family endures.
3. Critique
a.Lawfulness and cultural diversity are the areas I would like to comment on.
b.I feel like I could write two critiques on this book because I loved certain as More...
Oct 17, 2011
Kelley
rated it:
Critique- Junior Book/ Pura Belpre Award
A story of friendship between Mari, whose parents are living illegally in the United States in an attempt to create a better life for themselves and their children, and Tyler, whose family is struggling to keep their farm after his father, is injured. The themes in this story are so pertinent to today’s political and economic climate. There is Mari, the illegal immigrant whose family has come to the United States for a better life. Then there i More...
A story of friendship between Mari, whose parents are living illegally in the United States in an attempt to create a better life for themselves and their children, and Tyler, whose family is struggling to keep their farm after his father, is injured. The themes in this story are so pertinent to today’s political and economic climate. There is Mari, the illegal immigrant whose family has come to the United States for a better life. Then there i More...
Oct 16, 2011
Ashley
rated it:
1. Contemporary Realism
2. How would you react to a family of illegal Mexicans moving in next door? Tyler isn't sure how he should feel. He finds himself wanting to follow the law of his country but does this law really help out the people of its country? With his family on the brink of losing their farm, Tyler finds himself crossing into unknown boarders of trust and friendship.
3. Critique
a. The unique way in which this story is narrated helps to tell the story from two sides g More...
2. How would you react to a family of illegal Mexicans moving in next door? Tyler isn't sure how he should feel. He finds himself wanting to follow the law of his country but does this law really help out the people of its country? With his family on the brink of losing their farm, Tyler finds himself crossing into unknown boarders of trust and friendship.
3. Critique
a. The unique way in which this story is narrated helps to tell the story from two sides g More...
Oct 16, 2011
Sara
rated it: 
1. Contemporary Realism, Junior Chapter Book
2. Return to Sender is a book about a family of illegal Mexican immigrants who come to work on a family farm. The American family learns tolerance and not to judge because not only do the workers help save their farm, they also teach them about Mexican culture and the importance of the issue of immigration.
3. One thing that stood out to me the most from this story was the way it was written. Part of the narrative was in a basic narrat More...
2. Return to Sender is a book about a family of illegal Mexican immigrants who come to work on a family farm. The American family learns tolerance and not to judge because not only do the workers help save their farm, they also teach them about Mexican culture and the importance of the issue of immigration.
3. One thing that stood out to me the most from this story was the way it was written. Part of the narrative was in a basic narrat More...
Oct 15, 2011
Sandra
rated it:
I came upon this book at a Borders clearance sale and did not realize it was a book for young readers. Despite my youthful appearance, I'm fairly certain I don't qualify but I was nonetheless undeterred. "Return to Sender" is a lovely, heartbreaking book about Maria, her sisters, her parents and her family who are mostly undocumented workers that end up in Vermont after numerous close calls with "la migra." Maria and her family end up at a family-owned farm that is in des
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Oct 09, 2011
Melanie
rated it:
1. This book would fall under the category of a junior book, contemporary realism.
2. First he loses his grandfather. Next, a tragic farm accident permanently injures his father. Tyler thinks that he is going to lose a big piece of himself: his family farm. To save it, his parents hired Mexicans to come and work the farm at a price they can afford. Unfortunately, their existence is a matter of taboo, even though the three Mexican children are to attend the local school. Mexicans in More...
2. First he loses his grandfather. Next, a tragic farm accident permanently injures his father. Tyler thinks that he is going to lose a big piece of himself: his family farm. To save it, his parents hired Mexicans to come and work the farm at a price they can afford. Unfortunately, their existence is a matter of taboo, even though the three Mexican children are to attend the local school. Mexicans in More...
Jul 24, 2011
Scott
rated it: 
Alvarez, J. (2009). Return to sender. New York, NY: Knopf Books for Young Readers. 336 p. 978-0375858383. $16.99. Gr. 4-7.
Tyler Paquette’s family farm is in trouble after the death of his grandfather and an injury to his father. When his family hires some migrant workers from Mexico, Tyler is torn between saving the place he loves and upholding the law of the country he loves. As Tyler wrestles with his feelings, he begins to develop a friendship with a daughter of one of the w More...
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Jul 18, 2011
Lisa
rated it:
Tyler and his family live on a dairy farm in Vermont as has his family for generations. When his grandfather's unexpected death and a farming accident severely injures his father, trouble besets the farm. The family may have to give up the farm. Tyler, 12, loves the farm. His older brother and sister are not so enamored and have no plans to become farmers themselves. Tyler's father makes a difficult decision to try to save the farm and hires outside help in the form of illegal immigrants fr
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May 17, 2011
Emily Michelle
rated it:
I read this for class because it won the Belpre award, which is good because if it hadn't been required, I would very likely have gotten bored and wandered away mid-read. Don't get me wrong, it's a nice book, and I can see why it won. It was good to read about the struggles faced by illegal immigrants--some of the most interesting scenes were seeing the fear they live in when they thought that ICE was onto them--and the book very sympathetically portrays the American farmers who have to employ t
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Feb 13, 2011
Karen
rated it:
Tyler's grandfather passed away, and not long after, his dad had a serious accident on their Vermont dairy farm. With the high medical bills for his father's recuperation and the hard work needed to run the farm, the family reaches out and quietly hires three migrant Mexican workers to help, so they don't have to sell the place. When the men arrive, the family is surprised to see three little girls get out of the car with them, but Tyler's parents welcome them and help them get what they need
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Sep 21, 2010
Laura
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Sep 20, 2010
Ningerbil
rated it:
This should be required reading for anyone with a strong opinion on the immigration issue. I don't know if it will change minds, but perhaps it will put a human face, as well as a different perspective, on the issue so that perhaps the varying sides on immigration reform can come together and come up with a true solution. I am probably dreaming, but one can wish, right? At any rate, the Paquettes, who own a dairy farm in Vermont, hire undocumented workers for their farm after the grandfather die
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Sep 07, 2010
Ruhama
rated it:
Told from two different perspectives, this is a story of immigrants from Mexico, half of which are illegal, and a Yankee farm family. Tyler lives on a dairy farm in Vermont, and they need help. His grandfather recently died, his father had a farming accident and his older brother is leaving for college. This leads to hiring Mari and her family, and thus begins a tale of friendship, freedom and understanding. Tyler and Mari are in school together, and discover they both enjoy stargazing, which o
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Mar 24, 2010
Sharon
rated it:
I really admire Julia Alvarez. I don't know how she does it, but she manages to tackle complex political issues from a totally humane (though not totally non-partisan) viewpoint, and to illustrate them through non-preachy characters and issues you really grow to care about. This book takes its title from Operation Return to Sender, a massive sweep of illegal immigrants done by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE, so named according to one character because of their cold hearts)that
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Nov 01, 2009
Lisa
rated it:
Mexican-born Mari and her 2 younger American-born sisters, Ofie and Luby, move with their father and 2 uncles from NC to VT to help Tyler's family with their farm after Tyler's beloved grandfather dies and his father is injured in a tractor accident. At first Tyler is torn between the desire to respect his county's laws by not harboring illegal aliens and his commitment to keeping the farm in the family. As he comes to know the Cruz family he realizes that the laws might not be good. The 3 young
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Sep 11, 2009
Jean
rated it:
I had high hopes for this books since Julia Alvarez is such a wonderful writer. But I was sorely disappointed and about 3/4 of the way through I just gave up. The story is told in two voices, one omniscient with the focus on Tyler and one in first person by Mari. Both characters are 11, but other than glimpses of the bullies at school, we don't see very much that ties them to that age group. Mari tells her story in the form of "letters" that are so stilted and overwritten that it s
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(4 people liked it)
Oct 16, 2011
Lisa
rated it:
1.Contemporary Realism
2.Return to Sender retells the deeply emotional story of two very different families unexpectedly tied together out of financial need. The Cruz family are illegal immigrants from Mexico who have come to work on the Paquette’s dairy farm in Vermont following a farming accident. Tyler, the Pasquette’s youngest son, is conflicted by his deep desire to help save the farm and his reluctance to break the law. As he gets to know the Cruz’s, especially their daughter Ma More...
2.Return to Sender retells the deeply emotional story of two very different families unexpectedly tied together out of financial need. The Cruz family are illegal immigrants from Mexico who have come to work on the Paquette’s dairy farm in Vermont following a farming accident. Tyler, the Pasquette’s youngest son, is conflicted by his deep desire to help save the farm and his reluctance to break the law. As he gets to know the Cruz’s, especially their daughter Ma More...
Oct 15, 2011
Angelina
rated it:
1. Contemporary Realism
2. After the death of his grandfather and his father’s injury, Tyler’s family is in great need of help, so they hire Mari’s family, migrant Mexicans, to work on their farm. This coming of age novel follows both characters as they realize that friendship has no boundaries when it comes to the fight for humanity.
3. A. Characters/ Point of View
B. This book takes on the political issue of America’s immigration policies through the lens of two characters More...
2. After the death of his grandfather and his father’s injury, Tyler’s family is in great need of help, so they hire Mari’s family, migrant Mexicans, to work on their farm. This coming of age novel follows both characters as they realize that friendship has no boundaries when it comes to the fight for humanity.
3. A. Characters/ Point of View
B. This book takes on the political issue of America’s immigration policies through the lens of two characters More...
May 14, 2011
Q_joanneknowles
rated it:
Return to Sender is the story of two friends, Mari and Tyler, and their families who seem to have nothing in common. Mari's family has come to American to earn a living and Tyler's family is depending on Mari's family to keep their beloved farm up and running. Although I did enjoy reading this book, I thought Mari's character seemed too sophisticated for a sixth grade girl, especially in her writing style to her mother. Like other reviews I have read, I loved the teacher Mr. B.
Som More...
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Jan 23, 2011
Q_Jill
rated it:
This is a story about workers who come from Mexico in order to earn a living and the dangers and struggles they encounter. This is also a story about the American farmers who are in need of these workers and how they are finding it increasingly more difficult to continue running their farms. The main characters, Tyler and Mari form a friendship and become involved in the struggles of the other. Both kids worry about their families and their future, and realize that their friendship can help
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Mar 25, 2010
Susan
rated it:
Return to Sender
Julia Alvarez
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have to leave your home? Or, what it would be like to live in another county? Eleven year old Tyler is faced with leaving his family's Vermont dairy farm after his grandfather dies and his father is hurt in a farm accident.
Eleven year old Maria and her family move to Vermont to help Tyler and his family work their farm. Tyler likes to think of himself as a patriot, but Maria and her family More...
Julia Alvarez
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have to leave your home? Or, what it would be like to live in another county? Eleven year old Tyler is faced with leaving his family's Vermont dairy farm after his grandfather dies and his father is hurt in a farm accident.
Eleven year old Maria and her family move to Vermont to help Tyler and his family work their farm. Tyler likes to think of himself as a patriot, but Maria and her family More...
Oct 08, 2011
528_Gary
rated it:
The Cruz family just wants to earn a living in America. They move from North Carolina to Vermont to find a better place to live and work. There is one major problem. They are illegal aliens in the United States. The Cruz family moves into a trailer near the Paquette family and works on their dairy farm. Things seem to be going ok but the Cruz family is always on the look out for immigration. We learn that the Cruz family is searching for the childrens mother and that she has been held capt
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Oct 07, 2011
Melissa
rated it:
Return to Sender
By: Julia Alvarez
Genre: Contemporary Realism/Junior Chapter
Tyler, the son of a Vermont dairy farmer, suffers the loss of his grandfather and an accident that partially disables his father. His parents feel it’s best for him to spend the summer with his aunt and uncle. Upon his return to the farm, Tyler discovers his parents have moved some people that remind him of Indians into the small trailer on the farm. Over the course of a year, he befriends th More...
By: Julia Alvarez
Genre: Contemporary Realism/Junior Chapter
Tyler, the son of a Vermont dairy farmer, suffers the loss of his grandfather and an accident that partially disables his father. His parents feel it’s best for him to spend the summer with his aunt and uncle. Upon his return to the farm, Tyler discovers his parents have moved some people that remind him of Indians into the small trailer on the farm. Over the course of a year, he befriends th More...
Jan 24, 2012
Teresa
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Dec 03, 2011
Amy
rated it:
1. Contemporary Realism
2. After coming back home to the families farm Tyler finds himself with a new family from Mexico living on his property. Mari becomes a friend even though she is considered a illegal alien in America.
3. a. This book has a very strong family and friendship theme through each of the pages.
b. b. Friendship being on of the key factors of the story Tyler and Mari find themselves on a rollercoster of emotions that challenge and grow their friendship. “They had More...
2. After coming back home to the families farm Tyler finds himself with a new family from Mexico living on his property. Mari becomes a friend even though she is considered a illegal alien in America.
3. a. This book has a very strong family and friendship theme through each of the pages.
b. b. Friendship being on of the key factors of the story Tyler and Mari find themselves on a rollercoster of emotions that challenge and grow their friendship. “They had More...
