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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
This is a great YA book with realistic portrayals of the many things that young children/young adults deal with in terms of family life and their identity. Hard recommend.
My 5th grade class read this book together and I was really impressed! It dealt with several pretty deep topics (custody battles, alcoholism, racial identity, disability) in a way that was appropriate for kids, but still meaningful. My students enjoyed it, and I did too!
Stars:
5 / 5
Synopsis:
Naomi has always been too shy to speak up for herself, instead turning her thoughts to carving a soap, a peculiar hobby that she excels at, although she doesn’t know why. She also doesn’t know much about her mother, having been abandoned alongside her brother when Naomi was only a few years old. The two live with their loving Gram in their trailer, the Baby Beluga. However, all that Naomi has ever known is threatened when her absentee mom, Skyla, returns, demanding custody of only Naomi, effectively separating the girl from her brother and grandmother. In an attempt to escape Skyla, the trio (along with some friends) travel to Mexico to find Naomi's father, but along the way, Naomi finds something more powerful, her courage, her león's roar.
Thoughts:
Heartwarming family moments
Naomi’s display of confidence at the end showed true character development
A short, feel-good novel :))
Recommendations:
For readers who:
- enjoy seeing the main character finally stand up for themselves after a long period of oppression
- want to read something short and sweet with a powerful message
5 / 5
Synopsis:
Naomi has always been too shy to speak up for herself, instead turning her thoughts to carving a soap, a peculiar hobby that she excels at, although she doesn’t know why. She also doesn’t know much about her mother, having been abandoned alongside her brother when Naomi was only a few years old. The two live with their loving Gram in their trailer, the Baby Beluga. However, all that Naomi has ever known is threatened when her absentee mom, Skyla, returns, demanding custody of only Naomi, effectively separating the girl from her brother and grandmother. In an attempt to escape Skyla, the trio (along with some friends) travel to Mexico to find Naomi's father, but along the way, Naomi finds something more powerful, her courage, her león's roar.
Thoughts:
Heartwarming family moments
Naomi’s display of confidence at the end showed true character development
A short, feel-good novel :))
Recommendations:
For readers who:
- enjoy seeing the main character finally stand up for themselves after a long period of oppression
- want to read something short and sweet with a powerful message
It may just be the fact that I finished a very good book, but I was not impressed. I did enjoy the story, but it all seemed to be rushed. I think it also is aimed for a lower age group, so I didn't have much interest in it. The book itself was good though, and I would recommend it to readers ages 10-12, or anyone who wants a good story and a short, easy read.
My plan was to reread this over the weekend before I go pick up my new library book on Monday.
But I couldn't stop reading it & finished it in less than 12 hours (Now what am I going to read?!! Lol)
And as I mentioned, it was a reread.. So I knew what was going to happen!
It just manages to be charming and hopeful, even as you worry for Naomi. Also, it is full of likable, helpful adults which is refreshing. Naomi's grandmother, neighbours, father & teachers are supportive and care about the children.
But I couldn't stop reading it & finished it in less than 12 hours (Now what am I going to read?!! Lol)
And as I mentioned, it was a reread.. So I knew what was going to happen!
It just manages to be charming and hopeful, even as you worry for Naomi. Also, it is full of likable, helpful adults which is refreshing. Naomi's grandmother, neighbours, father & teachers are supportive and care about the children.
Becoming Naomi Leon is a wonderful story of a young girl who searches for her identity and finds her voice.
Half-Mexican Naomi and her younger disabled brother, Owen, live with their loving great-grandmother in the trailer park that they call home. When Naomi is 11, her mother returns, and they barely recognize her. However, her mother (who now wants to be called by a new name - "Skyla") expects to pick up where they left off with no hard feelings. At first, Naomi is overjoyed with the attention and gifts from her mother, but soon she starts to notice the way Owen is left out. And when her mother misses a parent-teacher conference and then becomes angry at Owen's doctor visit, Naomi starts to realize her mother's true nature. When Skyla threatens to take Naomi back (but not Owen), Naomi's great-grandmother packs up the children and takes them to Mexico in search of their long-lost father in the hope that he can help settle the custody issues. What will happen to Naomi if she has to go live with her mother? What if her father decides that he wants her now after all these years?
This book gives insight into the life of a Mexican-American girl who learns more about her Mexican heritage. I think Naomi's friend Blanca put it best when she said, "Ask lots of questions and you'll get lots of answers. You deserve to know about your own life. Right?" (p. 55) Children of all backgrounds can enjoy learning about people who are different than them, too. Becoming Naomi Leon includes many rich details about Oaxaca, Mexico and the language, culture, and traditions of Mexico's people. Also, families today do not always reflect the traditional idea of a family. Many children are being raised by grandparents, great grandparents, or other relatives. They may identify with Naomi as her family goes through a bitter custody battle.
Through Naomi's search for her father and her Mexican-American identity, she finds her voice. People were always asking Naomi to speak up, and she finds her voice in a courageous way. Read Becoming Naomi Leon for an inspiring story of a girl finding her place in the world.
Half-Mexican Naomi and her younger disabled brother, Owen, live with their loving great-grandmother in the trailer park that they call home. When Naomi is 11, her mother returns, and they barely recognize her. However, her mother (who now wants to be called by a new name - "Skyla") expects to pick up where they left off with no hard feelings. At first, Naomi is overjoyed with the attention and gifts from her mother, but soon she starts to notice the way Owen is left out. And when her mother misses a parent-teacher conference and then becomes angry at Owen's doctor visit, Naomi starts to realize her mother's true nature. When Skyla threatens to take Naomi back (but not Owen), Naomi's great-grandmother packs up the children and takes them to Mexico in search of their long-lost father in the hope that he can help settle the custody issues. What will happen to Naomi if she has to go live with her mother? What if her father decides that he wants her now after all these years?
This book gives insight into the life of a Mexican-American girl who learns more about her Mexican heritage. I think Naomi's friend Blanca put it best when she said, "Ask lots of questions and you'll get lots of answers. You deserve to know about your own life. Right?" (p. 55) Children of all backgrounds can enjoy learning about people who are different than them, too. Becoming Naomi Leon includes many rich details about Oaxaca, Mexico and the language, culture, and traditions of Mexico's people. Also, families today do not always reflect the traditional idea of a family. Many children are being raised by grandparents, great grandparents, or other relatives. They may identify with Naomi as her family goes through a bitter custody battle.
Through Naomi's search for her father and her Mexican-American identity, she finds her voice. People were always asking Naomi to speak up, and she finds her voice in a courageous way. Read Becoming Naomi Leon for an inspiring story of a girl finding her place in the world.
An old favourite i had to reread for old times sake and i still love it :)
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No