Hello, Amigos!

The team who created Someone Special, Just Like You now present a portrait of Mexican-American culture, showing one special day in the life of first-grader Frankie Valdez. Frankie takes a long bus ride to his San Francisco school, where he and his sister enjoy the warmth of helpful bilingual teachers. The author sprinkles Spanish words throughout, explained by a glossary: For Frankie's school birthday celebration, Mrs. Giddings makes a Corona; for some festivities, his mother mashes avocados with her molcajate; and a mariachi sings before Frankie breaks his pinata, etc. Large, clear photos effectively show Frankie's comfort in straddling two cultures, along with his large family. (5-9)