The Quiet Place is about a young girl, Isabel, and her family moving from Mexico to California during the summer around the 1950's. This book is consisted of letters Isabel writes to her Aunt Lupita back in Mexico in which Isabel is able to practice her English. Her parents buy a refrigerator, and give Isabel the box which she calls her "quiet place" that reminds her of Mexico. One day, the box blows away, and her quiet place is gone. Isabel's mother starts catering for birthday parties in the area, and asks for the boxes that the presents come in. Isabel often attended the parties, but never really played with the other children. She gives these boxes to Isabel, and she eventually builds a new quiet place that's even more impressive than the first. When it's time for her birthday, all the children at the parties her mother catered came, and she realized that there was no need to be shy or self conscious of her heritage/the way she speaks.
I really enjoyed this book, and connected with it very well (since I played in boxes when I was little...). This book would be great to read in a class, especially if the class consisted of children immigrants. Isabel is a shy child, because she does not know English that well. When she accompanies her mother to the parties she caters, Isabel often does not play with the other children. The children can certainly relate to Isabel if they are self conscious about the way they speak. However, in the end, Isabel realizes that all her future classmates like her, because they show up for her birthday party.
The idea of this book about a girl being shy then finding friends is absolutely awesome. People that come from different schools even are shy in the beginning wondering if they will make friend. I even experienced this recently when I got a new job I was new and scared and shy not knowing anything, or anybody. So I understand exactly what is going on. I really think this is a great diversity book because It provides the ability to not only make a comfort zone for herself which was her quiet zone but also allow the children to be able to open up and be themselves.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great book! I think it is a book that most students would be able to relate to, as some move or others come from different culture. I think it would be a great book to help students understand that not everyone is alike and its okay for them to be who they are.
ReplyDeleteThis book seemed like it contains great moral value friend ship is a great tool for children to learn. I enjoyed the post thank you!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, this would work great in a class with children of different culture. It can be scary for children who don't know english that well. THey are self conscious and worry that they won't fit in. Although this is perfect for a bilingual class, I think any kid could relate to it. I, for example was very shy as a kid and very self conscious that other kids would think I was weird. Anybody insecure and shy could relate to this book. It might be an eye opener for other kids to that shy kids can be fun, or if someone is from a different culture, take some time to get to know them.
ReplyDeleteI think this book would definitely be a good read for elementary kids. Especially here in NM where there are a lot of kids who have a language other than English as their first language. I think the story would help them not be so shy about speaking their first language.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the story would have probably been more realistic and affective if it were based in modern times