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Reviews
Dreams from Many Rivers: A Hispanic History of the United States Told in Poems by Margarita Engle
bibliobrandie's review
4.0
Another beautiful historical novel in verse by Engle. This one covers 600+ years and tells the story of immigration and Latinx history in North America. She starts in Puerto Rico, then called Boriken, in 1491 and explains:
"Most US history books being with colonization of the thirteen colonies by English invaders who conquered numerous Indigenous nations. However, the part of modern US territory that was colonized the earliest is Puerto Rico."
She then moves through time up to present day with a 6th grade Dreamer fearful of DACA ending.
It's amazing how much history she tells in this short book.
I used it together with Caminar and The Only Road.
"Most US history books being with colonization of the thirteen colonies by English invaders who conquered numerous Indigenous nations. However, the part of modern US territory that was colonized the earliest is Puerto Rico."
She then moves through time up to present day with a 6th grade Dreamer fearful of DACA ending.
It's amazing how much history she tells in this short book.
I used it together with Caminar and The Only Road.
yuniesan's review
5.0
When the history of people is erased, it is up to their ancestors to find ways to tell those stories. That's what this collection of poems is, its a history written to reflect those of Hispanic origins who are not one race but many.
megrocha's review
4.0
This collection of poetry wasn’t what I was expecting, but I learned so much none the less. I thoroughly enjoyed reading!
jdintr's review
3.0
In this chronological tour of Latin-American history, Magarita Engle uses poetry to illustrate the lives of real and fictional characters, showing how they would have experienced notable events--and even introducing readers to events (like the pueblo uprising in New Mexico or the struggle for Puerto Rican independence) that aren't in most middle-grade history books.
My critique of the book is that too many of the voices sounded similar to me. I really liked the historic detail and the interesting characters, but the voices seemed to blend together. More dramatic contrasts in structure and voice would have been nice.
Still, this is a valuable book, and I would consider it a good teaching tool. I could see this book used in grades 4-6 as a springboard to research or learning about one or more of the characters in the book. Each poem provides just enough historic detail to get a student started learning on their own, and exploring our country's fascinating Latin heritage.
My critique of the book is that too many of the voices sounded similar to me. I really liked the historic detail and the interesting characters, but the voices seemed to blend together. More dramatic contrasts in structure and voice would have been nice.
Still, this is a valuable book, and I would consider it a good teaching tool. I could see this book used in grades 4-6 as a springboard to research or learning about one or more of the characters in the book. Each poem provides just enough historic detail to get a student started learning on their own, and exploring our country's fascinating Latin heritage.
pattydsf's review
3.0
”Rivers Are Borders
Teresita
Wyoming, 1822
Quilts.
Beautiful patches.
Warmth.
The strength
of stitches.
Threads.
My skillful
hands.
Here on the northern border
of Mexico, my daughters and I
keep ourselves comforted by telling stories
about summer, while hoping my husband and sons
stay safe, never crossing the Yellowstone River
north into dangerous territory
ruled by foreigners.
This is a beautiful book. The poems are wonderful, the illustrations are gorgeous, and the history is so fascinating. How can we continue to hide all these incredible stories from our children and ourselves? We are doing our country and the countries south of us, such a disservice with our abbreviated records. Life is and was so much more than a bunch of white men conquering the world.
I know that here in Virginia, the education system revolves around our Standard of Learning. Most teachers must concentrate on those requirements and everything else gets left out. I hope there are a few middle school librarians and teachers who figure out a way to get this into the hands of children who will enjoy the poetry and the new (to them) stories.
Teresita
Wyoming, 1822
Quilts.
Beautiful patches.
Warmth.
The strength
of stitches.
Threads.
My skillful
hands.
Here on the northern border
of Mexico, my daughters and I
keep ourselves comforted by telling stories
about summer, while hoping my husband and sons
stay safe, never crossing the Yellowstone River
north into dangerous territory
ruled by foreigners.
This is a beautiful book. The poems are wonderful, the illustrations are gorgeous, and the history is so fascinating. How can we continue to hide all these incredible stories from our children and ourselves? We are doing our country and the countries south of us, such a disservice with our abbreviated records. Life is and was so much more than a bunch of white men conquering the world.
I know that here in Virginia, the education system revolves around our Standard of Learning. Most teachers must concentrate on those requirements and everything else gets left out. I hope there are a few middle school librarians and teachers who figure out a way to get this into the hands of children who will enjoy the poetry and the new (to them) stories.