Yes! We are Latinos! -a children's book by Alma Flor Ada
Continuing on from my most recent post, I decided to read "Yes! We are Latinos" by Alma Flor Ada to get a sense of the types of books and themes she most often uses.
Last week, I decided to sit and read the book, enjoying the nostalgia it evoked. In this post, I will examine the themes, messages, and literary details that Ada seeks to convey to her young readers.
First, the young protagonist, being Cuban while living in Florida, is a strategic move by Ada. Miami, especially, is a city filled with Cuban immigrants due to its proximity to Cuba. This helps young students gain some awareness of the geography between Latin America and the U.S. (there is even a map on the first page and a sentence about José Miguel's ethnicity).
The story's premise is that José Miguel is bullied at school for his name. The saying "no way José" is something other students find humorous, and a taco shop recently opened down the road called "Miguel's tacos." Students are teasing him about his name, which is the same as the taco shop down the road, while others encourage him to change it to Mike or Joe. But José Miguel is determined to keep his name the way it is. He wants to honor his cultural identity rather than conform to others’ expectations. Throughout the story, Ada highlights the importance of self-acceptance and pride in one’s heritage. José Miguel’s name symbolizes resilience. It shows young readers that names carry history, family, and identity, and should not be changed for others’ comfort.
We are also introduced to Lili (Guatemalan and Chinese living in L.A) and Michiko (Peruvian and Japanese, living in L.A.A too). They become great friends and can relate to each other's challenges and the assumptions made by other students. Ada includes themes of cultural pride, immigration, and belonging using clear language and relatable school-based conflict. As the story unfolds, José Miguel learns to embrace his bilingualism and background with confidence. His classmates begin to understand and respect the value of his identity. This change encourages empathy in young readers and inspires them to celebrate—not mock—cultural differences. I found Ada’s use of bilingual elements and references to Cuban culture particularly impactful. These details introduce children to the Spanish language and traditions in a natural and meaningful way, making the book both educational and empowering. Ultimately, the short story serves as a mirror for Latino children, reflecting their own experiences in José Miguel’s. It also serves as a window for non-Latino children to better understand diverse identities and to respect other cultures, even when those cultures are foreign to them.
In my next post, I will shift gears and focus on a different Hispanic.LatinX author in a different realm of the writing world.
Last week, I decided to sit and read the book, enjoying the nostalgia it evoked. In this post, I will examine the themes, messages, and literary details that Ada seeks to convey to her young readers.
First, the young protagonist, being Cuban while living in Florida, is a strategic move by Ada. Miami, especially, is a city filled with Cuban immigrants due to its proximity to Cuba. This helps young students gain some awareness of the geography between Latin America and the U.S. (there is even a map on the first page and a sentence about José Miguel's ethnicity).
The story's premise is that José Miguel is bullied at school for his name. The saying "no way José" is something other students find humorous, and a taco shop recently opened down the road called "Miguel's tacos." Students are teasing him about his name, which is the same as the taco shop down the road, while others encourage him to change it to Mike or Joe. But José Miguel is determined to keep his name the way it is. He wants to honor his cultural identity rather than conform to others’ expectations. Throughout the story, Ada highlights the importance of self-acceptance and pride in one’s heritage. José Miguel’s name symbolizes resilience. It shows young readers that names carry history, family, and identity, and should not be changed for others’ comfort.
We are also introduced to Lili (Guatemalan and Chinese living in L.A) and Michiko (Peruvian and Japanese, living in L.A.A too). They become great friends and can relate to each other's challenges and the assumptions made by other students. Ada includes themes of cultural pride, immigration, and belonging using clear language and relatable school-based conflict. As the story unfolds, José Miguel learns to embrace his bilingualism and background with confidence. His classmates begin to understand and respect the value of his identity. This change encourages empathy in young readers and inspires them to celebrate—not mock—cultural differences. I found Ada’s use of bilingual elements and references to Cuban culture particularly impactful. These details introduce children to the Spanish language and traditions in a natural and meaningful way, making the book both educational and empowering. Ultimately, the short story serves as a mirror for Latino children, reflecting their own experiences in José Miguel’s. It also serves as a window for non-Latino children to better understand diverse identities and to respect other cultures, even when those cultures are foreign to them.
In my next post, I will shift gears and focus on a different Hispanic.LatinX author in a different realm of the writing world.
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