These lively stories follow Rey Castaneda from sixth through eighth grade in Nuevo Penitas, Texas. One side of Rey's family lives nearby in Mexico,...
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Dec 10, 2009
Brittany
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In his typical short story format, Rene Saldana spins the tale of Rey Castaneda from his sixth grade to his eighth grade years in Nuevo Penitas, Texas. One side of Rey's family lives nearby in Mexico, the other half in Texas, and Rey is a perfect fit in both worlds, playing the role of the goof-off in the first and enjoying his status as an "A-lister" in Texas. As Rey grows up, he begins to learn the difficulties of becoming a man and in following the footsteps his father expects him t
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Oct 15, 2011
Tara
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While reading this coming-of-age novel that explores identity and family, among many other things, I found myself reading with a little bit of an accent, which was kind of fun. I really loved how Saldana used so many words in Spanish, but did it in a way that you could figure out what the English word was. Or he would give sentences in Spanish and then have characters repeat the sentences or answer in English in such a way that you could understand the gist of the Spanish phrases. That was a ver
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Dec 10, 2009
James
rated it: 
Through a collection of life stories, Saldaña portrays young Rey’s life through his own eyes. Rey is not a boy any more, but he is far from being a man. He wants so much to be like his father, yet he yearns to fit in with the kids at school. Readers are taken through these few years of his life and given an insight to his decision-making, which mostly reflects his desire to please his family. Readers learn who Rey is as he figures out who he is as a Chicano boy living in Texas. Saldaña combines
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Dec 09, 2009
Lauren
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Genre: Race/Culture/Coming of Age
Reynaldo lives in a town on the border between Texas and Mexico. Through the novel, he learns to deal with his place as a Mexican-American, having both cultures. Reynaldo must balance the demands of his Mexican friends and his friends at school. His biggest desire is to be like his father. In the end, he learns to have pride in his culture. Saldana voice is excellent as he weaves Spanish and English together. Ultimately, this book is most suited for t More...
Reynaldo lives in a town on the border between Texas and Mexico. Through the novel, he learns to deal with his place as a Mexican-American, having both cultures. Reynaldo must balance the demands of his Mexican friends and his friends at school. His biggest desire is to be like his father. In the end, he learns to have pride in his culture. Saldana voice is excellent as he weaves Spanish and English together. Ultimately, this book is most suited for t More...
Dec 07, 2009
Kathryn
rated it:
COming of Age/Latino Lit/YA
The Jumping Tree is the tale of a young Latino boy growing up in Southern Texas. It is arranged as a series of short stories, through which we come to learn who Rey is, and what it means for him to be Latino. We follow him as he learns what it is to be a man, to be Latino in America, to stand up for the things that you know are true. The plot meanders a bit, as each story has it's own theme, but throughout the whole we see Rey piecing together his self-im More...
The Jumping Tree is the tale of a young Latino boy growing up in Southern Texas. It is arranged as a series of short stories, through which we come to learn who Rey is, and what it means for him to be Latino. We follow him as he learns what it is to be a man, to be Latino in America, to stand up for the things that you know are true. The plot meanders a bit, as each story has it's own theme, but throughout the whole we see Rey piecing together his self-im More...
Dec 09, 2009
Rachel
rated it: 
This is one of those books that I imagine stumbling across in a few years and being completely incapable of remembering what it was about despite being sure that I'd read it.
I understand the value of the coming-of-age novel . . . but then, this doesn't seem to work as a novel. If anything, it's structured more like a literary essay. A fictitious biography, if you will, with some culture added to it to keep it interesting.
Unfortunately, none of that lured me in.
I understand the value of the coming-of-age novel . . . but then, this doesn't seem to work as a novel. If anything, it's structured more like a literary essay. A fictitious biography, if you will, with some culture added to it to keep it interesting.
Unfortunately, none of that lured me in.
Dec 10, 2009
Charla
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Rey is a Mexican boy who grows up in South Texas. This coming of age novel depicts his struggle with identity. He learns to embrace his heritage and feel pride for who he is, despite of the struggles he and his friends go through due to said culture.
I especially enjoyed reading this book since it's laden with Spanish phrases left and right. I love Spanish. The writing was pretty good, and I'd recommend this book to kids in junior high and up.
I especially enjoyed reading this book since it's laden with Spanish phrases left and right. I love Spanish. The writing was pretty good, and I'd recommend this book to kids in junior high and up.
Sep 12, 2007
Christina
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This is a nice book about growing up Chicano in south Texas. Rey is a U.S. citizen, as his father came over the border from Mexico years earlier, and these are stories of his 6th and 7th grade years. Roughhousing with his best friend Chuy, who works migrant labor in the fields; collecting cigarette butts to sneak smokes; accidentally locking his baby brother alone in the house! Boy stuff. He looks up to his hardworking father and uncles, and learns to be proud to be Chicano. I liked the mixing i
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Jan 04, 2012
Maricela
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This book was assigned by Dr. Newman at UTPA.
The main character illustrates what it is like to grow up in Penitas, Texas.
The main character illustrates what it is like to grow up in Penitas, Texas.
May 04, 2011
Eliza
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Again, a book my students can relate to. I find that the book could have been better if there was more of a flow to the stories, makig them more connected (not the actual writing itself). The images the stories bring up are familiar and welcome. Great sense of culture without being preachy about it. Love that the author was my professor too!
Oct 07, 2010
Kelly
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Really funny but poignant vignettes written by a local author. Full of great messages about courage, integrity, and growing up. My students couldn't get enough.
Nov 26, 2007
Guillermo
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Read this one to Justin. He loved it. So good for children and young adults.
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