The long awaited children’s book, The Boy From Mexico, An Immigration Story of Bravery and Determination by Edward A. Dennis, is a touching tribute to those who have come to the United States from their home countries in search for a better life.
We are taken on an adventure with Luz, meaning “light” through his experience of immigrating to the United States after making the difficult decision to leave his family behind. The symbolism of his name is quite poetic and emphasizes the ever present light that is needed to pursue something as difficult as immigration.
As we are taken on his journey, we see cultural imagery through some of the most beautiful places in Mexico, from Michoacan to Patzcuaro. We also meet kindness and generosity along his journey which emphasizes the importance of showing empathy and compassion for others.
The book is visually beautiful with vibrant colors and illustrations that are a true depiction of Mexico and Mexican culture.
This book is not only relevant for everyone, but I highly recommend and encourage it for schools and teachers. It has a section at the end that includes history, a glossary of Spanish to English vocabulary that is used throughout the story, and also a series of discussion questions that can be a framework for a critical thinking lesson to discuss immigration in-depth.
View this post on Instagram
