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scotty_blevins 's review for:
Becoming Naomi Leon
by Pam Muñoz Ryan
A beautiful book!
Naomi Outlaw lives with her Grandma and little brother, Owen in baby beluga (their airstream trailer) at Avocado Acres Trailer Park in Lemon Tree, California. the family lives hand to mouth, struggling to make ends meet, but they are surrounded by loving friends that make for a colorful cast of characters.
Life is moving along in a normal way, Naomi carves animals out of soap and carries around a journal to make lists about the world around her. Everything seems average and happy, until her mom Skyla shows up. Skyla abandoned Naomi and Owen 7 years in the past, and pursued a life of addiction and strange men. Skyla buys Naomi a lot nice clothes in an attempt to build a relationship with her, but Skyla messes up and misses important parent-teacher conferences for her kids. Things deteriorate even more, when one night Skyla tries to steal Naomi and take her to Las Vegas. Naomi and Owen run away to nearby neighbors.
Through all of this, Gram is attempting to figure out the best way forward. She hatches a plan and she takes the kids, along with neighbors Bernado and Fabiola to Oaxaca, Mexico in an attempt to find their long lost father. While in Mexico, Naomi practices her carving skills and contributes to the family's sculpture at the yearly carving festival. She is full of anticipation and anxiety about finding her father.
This was a beautifully written book with unique and fun characters. Munoz Ryan handles uncomfortable subject matter with a deft hand. I highly recommend this book to fans of Sandra Cisneros, Gary Soto, and Francisco Jimenez.
Naomi Outlaw lives with her Grandma and little brother, Owen in baby beluga (their airstream trailer) at Avocado Acres Trailer Park in Lemon Tree, California. the family lives hand to mouth, struggling to make ends meet, but they are surrounded by loving friends that make for a colorful cast of characters.
Life is moving along in a normal way, Naomi carves animals out of soap and carries around a journal to make lists about the world around her. Everything seems average and happy, until her mom Skyla shows up. Skyla abandoned Naomi and Owen 7 years in the past, and pursued a life of addiction and strange men. Skyla buys Naomi a lot nice clothes in an attempt to build a relationship with her, but Skyla messes up and misses important parent-teacher conferences for her kids. Things deteriorate even more, when one night Skyla tries to steal Naomi and take her to Las Vegas. Naomi and Owen run away to nearby neighbors.
Through all of this, Gram is attempting to figure out the best way forward. She hatches a plan and she takes the kids, along with neighbors Bernado and Fabiola to Oaxaca, Mexico in an attempt to find their long lost father. While in Mexico, Naomi practices her carving skills and contributes to the family's sculpture at the yearly carving festival. She is full of anticipation and anxiety about finding her father.
This was a beautifully written book with unique and fun characters. Munoz Ryan handles uncomfortable subject matter with a deft hand. I highly recommend this book to fans of Sandra Cisneros, Gary Soto, and Francisco Jimenez.