Take a photo of a barcode or cover
mlevinson13's review
4.0
It has been awhile since I have read a book of poems written both in Spanish and English. I thought it was beautiful and it rekindled my love of reading poetry in Spanish.
ale_readsbooks's review
4.0
“I am a walking contradiction.”
This collection of poems is pouring with lines like this one — filled with complexity and linguistic diversity.
It’s an experience that the vibrant Latino community in America can related to. “Ni de aquí, ni de allá” is somehow rooted in many of our identities. I find my self actively searching for belonging. In many of the poems there’s a yearning spirit of home.
Where is home for you? Were you born elsewhere but have lived most of your life in the U.S.? Or did your parents migrate here & now you wish to know their native country more?
I enjoyed how many of the poems mix English and Spanish together. It’s almost lyrical dancing one the page. The words sway with one of the other like they do for me in my head before I choose to speak.
As a Mexican-American I related to the ‘always tied between Mexico and the U.S.’ My connection to the Spanish language centers in the long and the late nights my mother would force me to read her books by Gabriel García Márquez or Isabel Allende. I hated it. I wan noted by it. But now I know she wanted to ensure that I never lost my Spanish language. She would confess to me later that she pushed so hard because at times it felt like her last connection to Mexico — her native language.
I loved this dynamic and relatable collection of poems. It was a pleasure to hear these stories and share them with others on my page.
This collection of poems is pouring with lines like this one — filled with complexity and linguistic diversity.
It’s an experience that the vibrant Latino community in America can related to. “Ni de aquí, ni de allá” is somehow rooted in many of our identities. I find my self actively searching for belonging. In many of the poems there’s a yearning spirit of home.
Where is home for you? Were you born elsewhere but have lived most of your life in the U.S.? Or did your parents migrate here & now you wish to know their native country more?
I enjoyed how many of the poems mix English and Spanish together. It’s almost lyrical dancing one the page. The words sway with one of the other like they do for me in my head before I choose to speak.
As a Mexican-American I related to the ‘always tied between Mexico and the U.S.’ My connection to the Spanish language centers in the long and the late nights my mother would force me to read her books by Gabriel García Márquez or Isabel Allende. I hated it. I wan noted by it. But now I know she wanted to ensure that I never lost my Spanish language. She would confess to me later that she pushed so hard because at times it felt like her last connection to Mexico — her native language.
I loved this dynamic and relatable collection of poems. It was a pleasure to hear these stories and share them with others on my page.
lattelibrarian's review
4.0
This was a beautiful book. For poems mostly in one language, a translation was juxtaposed on the other side, and a glossary was even laid out in the back of the book. Perfect for those like me who are interested but don't know enough Spanish or lingo to truly understand not only what's being said but what's being related. Each poem was just incredible, and I loved being able to look at the Spanish translation and try to parse out what was translated and how. It made for a great experience, and I learned so much about not only how these young authors emote and experience their daily lives, but how little I truly know about the others who surround me.
Reading this book was a necessary and enjoyable reminder of the fact that I need to continue learning and continue being ready and able to read from a diversified source of authors. A truly great and needed resource in any sort of teen or high school collection.
Review cross-listed here!
Reading this book was a necessary and enjoyable reminder of the fact that I need to continue learning and continue being ready and able to read from a diversified source of authors. A truly great and needed resource in any sort of teen or high school collection.
Review cross-listed here!
larissalee's review
4.0
I don't really speak Spanish myself, but I took a few years in school and understand just enough for Spanglish poetry to make sense. I enjoyed this collection, particularly "Ode to the Tortilla"; we probably eat more tortillas in my house than bread.
rjozinga's review
3.0
This is a poetry anthology of poems about growing up Latino in the United States. The poems are written in English and translated into Spanish, or vice versa. Some of the words that stay in the original language are then translated in the back of the book. These poems portray life in all different cities and states in the US. This would be a good choice for reluctant readers who are not eager to read an entire novel. I would recommend it for ages 12 and up.
poetloz's review
5.0
I don't speak or read Spanish, so I had to fight my tendency to put this down. But when I didn't, the poems here are great. There are some pretty established poets here as well as some I haven't read. On top of that, when the poems are not hybrids of English and Spanish, you can read the English poems in Spanish and learn! To be honest, learning is why I wanted to put the book down. Who wants to do that?!