Hail Mary!
Me Llamo María Isabel (My Name Is Maria Isabel) tells the story of a young girl who moved from Puerto Rico to New York City and how she seeks to adapt to her new society while retaining her cultural identity. On her first day of school, because there are already two girls named Maria in the class, María's teacher introduces the new girl as Mary Lopez. María Isabel, however, does not like the sound of the Anglo name, which sounds strange to her. María Isabel Salazar López is proud of her appellation, as she was named after much admired members of her family. She knows that the teacher means no harm, but does not know how to tell her what she wants. While reading Charlotte's Web, María Isabel realizes how her spider heroine conveyed her message and finds an ingenious way to tell her teacher and everyone else how she really feels.
Alma Flor Ada tells a beautiful story about dignity without preaching. My only criticism is that, with other Latino and Latina students in her class, she could not have asked them to translate her desire to the teacher, or why María Isabel was not in a bilingual class. The story's central theme, though, is very real. Overall, this story is a gem; if you are looking for a great way to brush up on one's Spanish, try that version, titled "Me Llamo Maria Isabel."
