Amigos del Otro Lado

Gr 4-6-Tom s and Clemente have much in common in their new lives in California. Both are nine-year-old Mexican boys with annoying older sisters and a fondness for tacos. This appreciation brings them together in spite of their otherwise different worlds. Tom s, the son of university professor, comes from a well-off area of Mexico City and lives in Santa Monica, while Clemente, whose family entered the country illegally, make ends meet by sewing T-shirts for Disneyland and is from a poor village in Oaxaca. The boys meet one day at a taquito stand at an outdoor market in East Los Angeles and form an inseparable bond. They learn how different the lives of two individuals from the same country can be as they adjust to American life while maintaining a connection to Mexico. This is an easy-to-read story about friendship and pride. However, some terms may not be easily recognizable to non-Mexican readers. An especially interesting touch is the use of occasional English words, such as ""freeways,"" sprinkled throughout the text. The vibrant, colorful illustrations are an added plus. Recommended to all libraries and bookstores. Celia C. Perez, Univ. of South Florida, Tampa