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41st out of 85 books
—
1,058 voters
Under the Mesquite
by
Guadalupe Garcia McCall (Goodreads Author)
Lupita, a budding actor and poet in a close-knit Mexican American immigrant family, comes of age as she struggles with adult responsibilities during her mother's battle with cancer in this young adult novel in verse.
When Lupita learns Mami has cancer, she is terrified by the possibility of losing her mother, the anchor of her close-knit family. Suddenly, being a high scho...more
When Lupita learns Mami has cancer, she is terrified by the possibility of losing her mother, the anchor of her close-knit family. Suddenly, being a high scho...more
Hardcover, 224 pages
Published
October 31st 2011
by Lee & Low Books
(first published September 15th 2011)
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I think this is my first novel in verse, and it’s a gorgeous introduction to the form. Guadalupe Garcia McCall writes very simple, almost sweet poetry, but she also manages to convey so much about the experiences of a young girl, at home in two countries, and forced to shoulder much more than the average sixteen year old.
The novel as a whole is very short, and is strung together with two to three page verses which highlight different small parts of Lupita’s life: her role as the oldest sister in...more
The novel as a whole is very short, and is strung together with two to three page verses which highlight different small parts of Lupita’s life: her role as the oldest sister in...more
"Someday my words will
take flight and claim the sky."
This is such beautiful little book.
Little.
That is why this review is not going to be like my others because it would take you less time to just read this book than it would be to read my full review.
So this is the Theatrical Cut.
I could go on and on about how gorgeous Ms Garcia McCall’s writing is and how she seamlessly flits between Spanish and English words and explores two completely different cultures and the issues that come with being...more
take flight and claim the sky."
This is such beautiful little book.
Little.
That is why this review is not going to be like my others because it would take you less time to just read this book than it would be to read my full review.
So this is the Theatrical Cut.
I could go on and on about how gorgeous Ms Garcia McCall’s writing is and how she seamlessly flits between Spanish and English words and explores two completely different cultures and the issues that come with being...more
I hadn't planned on writing a review for this book today, but my mind just kept turning the book over and over in my head and creating a restless energy that I can't seem to stop. This is going to sound corny but I wish that my heart could write the review for me because I don't think my mind has the ability to translate and convey why this book had such a strong impact on me. I can just feel myself get achy inside thinking about the book. A good ache though.
Lupita has many dreams. She moved to...more
Lupita has many dreams. She moved to...more
Sometimes I unintentionally hit a theme in my reading, and as I started tearing up at a section in this book, I realized it’s the one of many stories I’ve read in the last few months about a young person dealing with the loss of a parent to cancer. (The others are A Monster Calls and Putting Makeup on Dead People, and if I expand it even more, I can count Liesl & Po, where Liesel’s father has just died from illness.) They all are wildly different in plot and execution but have the same emoti...more
So I'm going to tell you a secret. Back in middle school/early high school I used to write bad poetry. Then one day I had an epiphany that I was writing mopey teen poetry and stopped. Then I went through a phase where I decided that I didn't like or understand poetry. Until senior year of college when I took a literature course. We studied poetry and I discovered that I do in fact like some poetry (mopey teenagers need not apply.)
So I'm still on shaky ground with poetry. I love "Do not go gentle...more
So I'm still on shaky ground with poetry. I love "Do not go gentle...more
This tenderly written novel in verse describes one family's move from Mexico to the United States. Life was good for the large family--there are eight children--in Mexico, but because the father found work across the border, they moved north to Eagle Pass. They return to Mexico as often as possible, savoring happy times there as well as new experiences in the United States. Mami loves her rose bushes and plants them in the front yard. When a stubborn mesquite tree refuses to die, she finally giv...more
McCall, G. (2011). Under the Mesquite. Lee & Low Books.
Gr. 7-12. Lupita’s family has moved from Mexico to los Estados Unidos in order to have a better life, and for a while, it is better – until Lupita’s mother is diagnosed with cancer. Lupita is thrust into adulthood responsibilities as her mother battles a horrible disease, but she finds that her writing and acting can help her cope with her feelings.
Curriculum: This would be a good book to use in history or civics classes to discuss immi...more
Gr. 7-12. Lupita’s family has moved from Mexico to los Estados Unidos in order to have a better life, and for a while, it is better – until Lupita’s mother is diagnosed with cancer. Lupita is thrust into adulthood responsibilities as her mother battles a horrible disease, but she finds that her writing and acting can help her cope with her feelings.
Curriculum: This would be a good book to use in history or civics classes to discuss immi...more
Week 15
Written in the perspective of Lupita, "Under The Mesquite" takes readers into the life of the eldest of eight siblings. Lupita's life is turned upside down when she learns that her mother, Mami, has been diagnosed with cancer. Lupita has always been quite, not one to like the spotlight, until she is encouraged to try out for the school play. Lupita finds escape from her daily challenges under the mesquite tree in her yard. There is writes her feelings down in words.
"Under the Mesquite" is...more
Written in the perspective of Lupita, "Under The Mesquite" takes readers into the life of the eldest of eight siblings. Lupita's life is turned upside down when she learns that her mother, Mami, has been diagnosed with cancer. Lupita has always been quite, not one to like the spotlight, until she is encouraged to try out for the school play. Lupita finds escape from her daily challenges under the mesquite tree in her yard. There is writes her feelings down in words.
"Under the Mesquite" is...more
In this immigration tale in verse of Lupita, oldest of eight children, moves to the US only to fight a battle with her mother's cancer. This poetic journey is filled with love and pain, hardship and reward of a young girl with prodigious skill afforded to her from a loving and nurturing mother and family.
McCall, G. G., Hale, C., & Weart, K. (2011). Under the mesquite. New York: Lee & Low Books.
Awards/Reviews: Pura Belpre Author Award 2012; Kirkus Reviews starred (August 15, 2011); Libr...more
McCall, G. G., Hale, C., & Weart, K. (2011). Under the mesquite. New York: Lee & Low Books.
Awards/Reviews: Pura Belpre Author Award 2012; Kirkus Reviews starred (August 15, 2011); Libr...more
A beautiful novel in verse detailing the life of Mexican-American immigrant Lupita through high school. As her mother battles cancer, Lupita finds refuge in poetry and drama as she struggles with responsibilities for the house and her seven younger siblings. Spanish language is woven in so easily, you don't always need the glossary in the back to understand each word. Age 12+ (Early Adolescence)
Curriculum Connection: This book would be good to read for a writing class where students will be writ...more
Curriculum Connection: This book would be good to read for a writing class where students will be writ...more
Beautiful absolutely beautiful. Under the Mesquite is a story about a young girl growing up to adulthood. It is a story about saying good-bye and about the loss of a loved one so integral to one’s life that it is impossible to imagine life without them. Under the Mesquite is about a family’s journey across the border of one country and into another country and how people make cultural adjustments and acclimate to a new home. And, this story is about going home and how going home can help us figu...more
Complete review at: http://www.teachmentortexts.com/2011/...
Summary: Lupita's family came to Texas to follow the American dream when she was a child. Her father is always working and her mother's only job is to be a mother. Lupita had a life that she adored- She is the oldest of 8 siblings and has always had a set role in her family: a mini-mom helping her mother raise her siblings. She couldn't ask for anything else. But then Lupita notices her mother acting depressed and crying by the mesquite...more
Summary: Lupita's family came to Texas to follow the American dream when she was a child. Her father is always working and her mother's only job is to be a mother. Lupita had a life that she adored- She is the oldest of 8 siblings and has always had a set role in her family: a mini-mom helping her mother raise her siblings. She couldn't ask for anything else. But then Lupita notices her mother acting depressed and crying by the mesquite...more
"Under the Mesquite" by Guadalupe Garcia McCall is a coming-of-age story. The main character, Lupita, immigrated to Texas from Mexico when she was a young girl. When her mother is diagnosed with cancer during Lupita's freshman year of high school, Lupita is forced to take on an extraordinary amount of responsibility for her seven younger siblings. Not only does she have to put on a brave, strong front for her younger brothers and sisters, but she must also try to be support for her parents as we...more
A novel in verse. Lupita loves writing in her journal. The oldest of eight siblings, Lupita has a lot of responsibilities even more when her mother becomes ill. The story spans Lupita's high school years and is broken up into six parts. I either like a verse novel or I don't, there is no middle ground. I consider verse a structured free form, that requires a certain amount of rhythm. Its easy to find poorly written novels in this style but the good ones are come by. McCall's debut is a great one...more
Under the Mesquite is a book I couldn't put down and yet I wanted so badly to take my time with it, because I didn't want it to end. This is Guadalupe Garcia McCall's first YA novel and I see from her website that she is working on a second. Hooray and Hooray! Of course NOW I see she was at ALA in New Orleans and I could have gotten my hands on this book even sooner! Sigh. I wish I would have the opportunity to tell Ms. McCall how much her story, written in verse, moved me. Here is a fresh story...more
Originally published at my blog Chasing Empty Pavements
I had mixed emotions going into this novel. I noticed it was in verse and I haven't been fond of too many books written in verse yet I LOVED the subject matter. I love the Hispanic culture, language and coming of age stories, so I sort of already knew I would enjoy this novel. And enjoy it I did. It was absolutely stunning. This was an extremely short novel, I read it in about 45 minutes and so my review will be a little different because I...more
I had mixed emotions going into this novel. I noticed it was in verse and I haven't been fond of too many books written in verse yet I LOVED the subject matter. I love the Hispanic culture, language and coming of age stories, so I sort of already knew I would enjoy this novel. And enjoy it I did. It was absolutely stunning. This was an extremely short novel, I read it in about 45 minutes and so my review will be a little different because I...more
ARC for review:
Lupita, is the oldest daughter of a tight-knit Mexican American family. They moved to Texas when she was just a baby.
When her Mami develops cancer, Lupita takes it upon herself to care for her seven younger siblings. Only a young teenager herself, she rapidly grows into a young woman who struggles with identity and family obligations.
I can't really write about this book for fear of giving something away. But it's beautifully written, incorporating some Spanish into the English pr...more
Lupita, is the oldest daughter of a tight-knit Mexican American family. They moved to Texas when she was just a baby.
When her Mami develops cancer, Lupita takes it upon herself to care for her seven younger siblings. Only a young teenager herself, she rapidly grows into a young woman who struggles with identity and family obligations.
I can't really write about this book for fear of giving something away. But it's beautifully written, incorporating some Spanish into the English pr...more
I freaked out last night because I picked this up to read thinking the review was due next week. Horror of horrors- it was due that day! I had erred! I relaxed quite a bit when I realized that it was a novel in verse and I read it easily in about 45 minutes. I got up early this morning and wrote the review - so it was only about 6 hours late...
This was one of those surprise books for me again. I dreaded reading it because the cover and the title are not appealing. I hope they tweak the cover art...more
This was one of those surprise books for me again. I dreaded reading it because the cover and the title are not appealing. I hope they tweak the cover art...more
A finalist for the 2012 Amelia Elizabeth Walden Book Award. I loved this book - could be a more challenging companion to "Esperanza Rising". Lupita is the oldest of 8 children - her entire family emigrates from Mexico to America, but they live close enough to go back and forth frequently. She struggles with her identity as well as adjusting to life in the U.S. The book is actually a series of poems and I almost filed this under poetry but changed my mind as the farther I read, the more it read l...more
Original review posted here
For such a short little book, this one sure packs a punch.
Don’t be fooled by the “a novel in verse” – this isn’t a story that contains rhymes or cheesy moments. This is a beautifully paced, lusciously written story on the life of a young girl from Mexico who, along with her family, moves to Texas with the hopes of bettering their lives.
Unfortunately, tragedy strikes and Lupita has to grow up in ways she never had dreamed as a little girl.
I think I appreciated this stor...more
For such a short little book, this one sure packs a punch.
Don’t be fooled by the “a novel in verse” – this isn’t a story that contains rhymes or cheesy moments. This is a beautifully paced, lusciously written story on the life of a young girl from Mexico who, along with her family, moves to Texas with the hopes of bettering their lives.
Unfortunately, tragedy strikes and Lupita has to grow up in ways she never had dreamed as a little girl.
I think I appreciated this stor...more
Such a beautifully written story. Sad but hopeful.
I had a hard time getting into the story. It didn’t have anything to do with the quality of the story, but for the lack of format in my eGalley copy. Being in verse it was hard to tell what was actually how the author wrote it and what was messed up in the transfer of the book to my e-reader. I tried not to judge my reading experience on that, but it was hard to look past it and get into the flow of the story.
This was a very emotional story. Watc...more
I had a hard time getting into the story. It didn’t have anything to do with the quality of the story, but for the lack of format in my eGalley copy. Being in verse it was hard to tell what was actually how the author wrote it and what was messed up in the transfer of the book to my e-reader. I tried not to judge my reading experience on that, but it was hard to look past it and get into the flow of the story.
This was a very emotional story. Watc...more
Thanks to Netgalley.
Gorgeous.
I didn't want it to end.
Cancer can be a tricky slope to write about since it, well, has been written about. A lot. And most not well.
Under the Mesquite is not that kind of book.
This is a book that pulls at your heart, makes you recognize yourself no matter where you live or who you are, and keeps you thinking long after the cover closes.
I loved the Spanglish words mixed in. Truthfully, I miss hearing them hit my own ears. As a gringa in San Antonio twenty years ago,...more
Gorgeous.
I didn't want it to end.
Cancer can be a tricky slope to write about since it, well, has been written about. A lot. And most not well.
Under the Mesquite is not that kind of book.
This is a book that pulls at your heart, makes you recognize yourself no matter where you live or who you are, and keeps you thinking long after the cover closes.
I loved the Spanglish words mixed in. Truthfully, I miss hearing them hit my own ears. As a gringa in San Antonio twenty years ago,...more
A new Latina voice! I wonder if it will fit the traditional of writing extended metaphor in Hispanic poetry. Looks like a lyric novel.
This book lived up to my expectations. I recommend it to all readers. The garden and mesquite tree images contradict the typical North American view, and enrich our understanding of those whose lives are lived out on both sides of the border.
This book lived up to my expectations. I recommend it to all readers. The garden and mesquite tree images contradict the typical North American view, and enrich our understanding of those whose lives are lived out on both sides of the border.
This is a gorgeous book in verse that tells the story of Lupita, whose family moved from Mexico to Texas in search of a better life. When Lupita overhears that her mother has cancer, her life changes suddenly. She takes on the responsibility of her seven, younger brothers and sisters.
The poetry is incredibly compelling and would be a great model to use in classrooms. I plan to use some of the poems to teach similes, metaphors, personification, and other literary elements. Kids will appreciate Lu...more
The poetry is incredibly compelling and would be a great model to use in classrooms. I plan to use some of the poems to teach similes, metaphors, personification, and other literary elements. Kids will appreciate Lu...more
I met Guadalupe Garcia McCall at a dinner after the YA Diversity tour and found her absolutely lovely. I'd never read any of her work before, but when I saw her book on NetGalley, of course I requested it. And was really blown away by it.
Lately, I've come to really, really love verse novels and this with the rich language and heart-breaking story was no exception. The story of Mexican-Americans becoming more American than Mexican after transplantation is a common, but McCall's beautifully heart-...more
Lately, I've come to really, really love verse novels and this with the rich language and heart-breaking story was no exception. The story of Mexican-Americans becoming more American than Mexican after transplantation is a common, but McCall's beautifully heart-...more
Lovely little book. The running metaphor is handled well. The characterization of Lupita is subtle and graceful. When you remember your reading poetry, you are struck with the author's choices. I quite enjoyed this experience.
I don't read books written in verse. However, this one is written in beautifully, descriptive free verse, telling the store of a young girl split between what it means to be Mexican and what it means to be American. She straddles the two cultures simultaneously and in the end comes out a stronger person without denying who she really is.
Herregud. Jag höll på att gråta på bussen när jag läste ut den. Så fin historia, en spansk kultur som är stommen i historien och skriven i Lisa Schroeder-style. Jag kan säga om man har varit med om sorg så blir man påverkad av sorg. Så enkelt är det.
Lupita is the oldest of eight children, and just beginning high school. Born in Mexico, she and her parents immigrated to Texas when she was a six years old and have lived in Eagle Pass ever since. They are a close-knit family and Lupe does all she can as the oldest to help her mother care for the younger children. Like all teens she has to find her individual voice amid the cacophony of siblings, friends and relatives, and juggle the expectations of her parents, grandparents and teachers agains...more
I can't for the life of me remember where I read about this book and why I put it on my list, and I wish I could because I'd like to thank them! Under the Mesquite is a wonderful little novel written in free verse. It's a fast read and considering the short length, it's remarkable how much of an emotional punch it packs.
Lupita is our narrator. She's the oldest of eight children in an immigrant family; they move from Mexico to Texas when she is young. Lupita helps care for her younger siblings an...more
Lupita is our narrator. She's the oldest of eight children in an immigrant family; they move from Mexico to Texas when she is young. Lupita helps care for her younger siblings an...more
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| Wild Things: YA G...: October 2012- Under the Mesquite by Guadalupe Garcia McCall | 3 | 12 | Oct 18, 2012 10:46pm |
I was born in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico. My family immigrated into the U.S. when I was six years old. I grew up in Eagle Pass, a small, border town in South Texas. Eagle Pass is the setting of both, my debut novel in verse, UNDER THE MESQUITE, and my 2nd novel, SUMMER OF THE MARIPOSAS, fall of 2012 from TU Books. After high school, I went off to Alpine in West Texas to study to become a tea...more
More about Guadalupe Garcia McCall...
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“And the pomegranates,/
like memories, are bittersweet/
as we huddle together,/
remembering just how good/
life used to be”
—
1 person liked it
More quotes…
like memories, are bittersweet/
as we huddle together,/
remembering just how good/
life used to be”
Mar 13, 2012 08:04am
Mar 13, 2012 08:17am