Great poems and a great reminder that I need to sign up for Spanish language classes as soon as I'm done with this degree. Superb to read aloud! ( )

This book of Spanish and english translated poems tell short stories about what it is like to live in the United States as a young person growing up. There are funny stories about language barrier, sad stories about racism and bullying, finding identity, family dynamics and more. I really liked this because it gave me good insight as to what it is like growing up somewhere so unfamiliar to what you already know. I think this is a great read for highschool students because there is some graphic stuff but also very valuable lessons. Many students can either relate or use this book as a window into a new experience. ( )

Cool Salsa is introduced by a man named Oscar Hijuelos. Hijuelos's parents were Cuban and they migrated to the U.S. from Cuba in the 1940s. Hijuelo watched his parents struggle and work themselves to death. He associated being an immigrant with having to suffer through life. Hijuelo did not look like his parents, instead, he looked Irish. When he learned how to speak English, he would only respond to his parents in English. He felt like he could get away from Spanish. At the age of 18, Hijuelo left home after his dad died from working too much and his mom was overly panicked. He went to college and found himself writing novels. His family was severely oppressed, much like many other families that migrate to the U.S. The poems in Cool Salsa are about issues with families in Hijuelo's families situation. There are poems about school days, home and homeland, memories, hard times, time to party, and a promising future.

I liked the book because the poems focus on teenagers different experiences. People like Hijuelo can read the poems and know that the issues that they may be experiencing are not uncommon. I also like how most of the poems are written in both Spanish and English so more people are able to read them.

You could talk about what immigration means and what families may go through when they migrate to another country, like racial oppression. Also, discuss why Hijuelo thought about the word Hispanic meaning His-panic. Why did he associate that word with fear? Most of the poems are in Spanish and English, so students who are learning one of these languages can learn new vocabulary.

Have students make inferences about the poems and use evidence from the text to explain why you came up with your inference. Have students determine the themes of the poem from how the speaker reflects upon the topic. You could also have students write their opinion about the poems and support their point of view with reasons. ( )

Summary: The book contains bilingual poems about the life's of Latino's growing up in the United States. It talks about schooling, home and homeland, memories, hard times, parties, and a promising future. In one of the poems about schooling, it talks about a young girl who is held back a grade because of a name mistake. In another poem about schooling, a student is afraid that if they learn English they are going to lose themselves. For the poems in the memories section, someone talks about an orange tree that they see in the United States. It reminds them of an orange tree they had planted in their homeland. There is a poem in the hard time section that is really sad. It talks about how a two brothers go to area where it is not safe for them. They end up getting jumped and beat up because of their skin color. Then they are sent back to where they came from. In the promising future section there is a good poem that explains to readers that Latinos are not all the same.

Critique: I really enjoyed these poems. But I enjoyed the introduction by Oscar Hijuelos the most. It was a well insight on the life of a Latino. He was very open about his life. I like this quote from him, "I even now think of that strange term "Hispanic" as meaning His-Panic," (pg. xix). For those Hispanic people who either are not born here or has family who were not born here, they are in consist panic about being told they have to leave. Which this quote fits perfect for them. I also really like the poem that tells how Latinos are not all the same. Just because they are Latinos doesn't give others the right to judge them for other Latinos action.

Prompt: Have a Spanish dictionary nearby, and white paper to write Spanish words on to help students translate it so they know what is being read to them.

Craft Element:
Reading- Teach Students Spanish words (Poems are translated in English and Spanish.
Reading- Teachers can use this book when they are discussing the different cultures around the world with their students.
Writing- Have students created a poem about their life (Good/Bad events)

This is a collection of poems about various Hispanic and Latino cultures as they enter the United States and their clashes with both cultures.This contains various of authors who struggled and achieved goals in America. The poems undergo many emotions: sad,happy, desperation, anxiety, worry and hope. Their journeys all different, but their purposes are all the same: to reach the American Dream.

Students need to explore different genres to understand a culture. Poetry can convey more emotions than a novel. This book can connect the impact of immigrants traveling to the U.S. and inspire students to achieve their goals, despite their background. ( )