Eating Enchiladas

Simply Sarah #4

by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Sarah Simpson likes to think of ideas that are anything but ordinary. When her third-grade teacher asks each student to pick a country and give an oral report, Sarah wants her choice to be really special. Maybe she should talk about England, since England has a queen and a castle. But as she learns more, she discovers that England isn’t quite as interesting as she thought. For one thing, the English speak the same language as Americans. Sarah finally thinks of a new idea when she sleeps over at her friend Mercedes’ apartment and learns wonderful things about Mexico.

Genres: Childrens, Chapter Books, Fiction, Latinx

80 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2008

About the author

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor was born in Anderson, Indiana, US on January 4, 1933.

Her family were strongly religious with conservative, midwestern values and most of her childhood was spent moving a lot due to her father's occupation as a salesman.

Though she grew up during the Depression and her family did not have a lot of money, Naylor stated that she never felt poor because her family owned good books. Her parents enjoyed reading stories to the children--her father would imitate the characters in Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer--and her mother read to them every evening, "almost until we were old enough to go out on dates, though we never would have admitted this to anyone."

By the time Phyllis reached fifth grade, writing books was her favorite hobby and she would rush home from school each day to write down whatever plot had been forming in her head - at sixteen her first story was published in a local church magazine.

Phyllis has written over 80 books for children and young people. One of these books, "Shiloh," was awarded the Newbery Medal in 1992, was named a Notable Children's Book by the American Library Association and was also Young Adult Choice by the International Reading Association.

Naylor gets her ideas from things that happen to her or from things she has read. "Shiloh" was inspired by a little abused dog she and her husband found. The little dog haunted her so much that she had to write a story about him to get it out of her mind.

Reviews

[Marissa Elera · Rating 1 out of 5]

If I could, I would give this book less than a star. The portrayal of Mexican culture and cuisine was so inaccurate and off base that I was flabbergasted it was published as recently as 2008 and not in the 1970's. Sarah doesn't have a culture of her own to highlight for a school project and gets the brilliant idea to Columbus her Mexican friend Mercedes's culture after going to her house and helping make "enchiladas". These "enchiladas" are made with a variety of baffling ingredients, the first of which are CHOPPED OLIVES. Oh, and don't forget the "flat circles on a platter. They looked like big, thin potato chips". That's right, in 2008 Chicago, after the advent of Taco Bell, Chipotle, and other crappy but widespread bastardization of Mexican food, this child does not know what a TORTILLA is.
Later, Sarah dons a flowered skirt and sombrero to school for show and tell. What did she bring to show? MERCEDES, of course!

Girl, BYE.

[Jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pass. This white girl who lives in a diverse and walkable part of Chicago is somehow totally unfamiliar with both the Spanish language and tortillas!! (“They looked like big, thin potato chips.” 😭) The primary ingredient in the family’s enchiladas is chopped olives!

Also includes a nice little passage about how Mr. Mendez doesn’t help in the kitchen or wash dishes, and little boys should be sent to their father for punishment.

Everyone in England looks the same as us (white people), eats the same food as us, and speaks English. Someone should inform the wildly diverse population of England, because I think they missed the memo on maintaining a homogeneous society!

I can’t believe this was published in 2008 and not the 1960s. Found it in a book box, should have left it there. Skipped some of the most ignorant lines while reading it with my child.

[Karol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes homework can be a challenge when you're not sure what to do, Sarah goes from having a plan to report on a country in class to being excited and happy to have a country to share with her class.

[Aurora Ricasa · Rating 3 out of 5]

it’s a good book for kids and they can learn how to accept every country and every culture. they can also learn how to make friends and appreciate their relationship. this book is so pure and simple in the best possible way

[Ruth Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Naylor, the author of Shiloh, has written another winning realistic fiction book. In this story, Sarah is a girl with lots of ideas. She lives in a multi-cultural neighborhood in Chicago and her friends come from many different kinds of families. In her third grade class, Sarah is to choose a country to research and then share her findings with the class. Eventually she chooses Mexico and takes her friend Mercedes with her to class on the day of her report. Readers will get glimpses of other countries including Nigeria, China, England, and Italy.

[Elise · Rating 3 out of 5]

A realistic fiction book -- school projects, after-school playdates, sleepovers, taking care of siblings, non-traditional families, living in an inner-city apartment building, etc... with a multi-cultural twist.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for showing young children about another culture. I loved all the Hispanic elements woven into a sweet plot. I know young children will enjoy it (including my seven year old!)

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

sarahs class has to think of a country and every one else in class has been to a country other then the usa
but she has not so she has to think up an idea.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this to see if my daughter would enjoy it. Very good story. I enjoy Sarah's character a lot.

[Addison Children's Services · Rating 1 out of 5]

A boring little beginning chapter book about an annoying girl and her need to fulfill a school assignment.