Overview

Jacobo comes from a Spanish-speaking home in Oxnard, California. Even though his parents speak Spanish exclusively, Jacobo is embarrassed and ashamed to speak Spanish in public, especially in front of his friends. But one day, this changed for him during a bus ride to the store. During this trip, Jacobo learns that he plays a very important role in his community. Since he speaks both English and Spanish, he is able to help out Spanish-speaking people like his parents navigate their daily lives. By the end of the bus ride, Jacobo realizes that he holds the key to the city. Jacobo viene de una familia hispanohablante en Oxnard, California. Aunque sus padres solamente hablan español, a Jacobo le apena y avergüenza hablar español en público, especialmente enfrente de sus amigos. Pero un día, esto cambió para él durante un viaje en autobús a la tienda. En este viaje, Jacobo descubre que tiene un papel muy importante en su comunidad. Como habla tanto inglés como español, le es posible ayudar a personas hispanohablantes como sus padres a navegar su vida cotidiana. Al final del viaje en autobús, Jacobo se da cuenta que tiene la llave de la ciudad.

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9781735151113

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Reviews

This book is very important to Oxnard kids because they need to know that being bilingual is a good thing and they should not be embarrassed about it. Also, the message in this book encourages our kids to never forget where they come from and to be proud of their culture. -Yecenia Marron, Mother of 3 kids and Resident of Oxnard What stood out to me the most about this book is the importance of speaking Spanish in our lives to be able to translate for my Grandpa, who does not speak very much English, and to be able to help him translate his mail. I hold the key to the city by going to Carl's Jr. and ordering for us because my Great-Grandmother doesn't speak English. -Allison Ambriz, 4th-Grade Student in Oxnard The thing that I liked the most about this book was that one of the characters looked just like me. He had dark skin like me. This book showed me that you can talk to more people and help out more people if you speak two languages. -Darren Rivas, 2nd-Grade Student in Oxnard This story is vibrant with color and experience. Captures the struggles of shame and language our youth face, and how to overcome/reconcile these. It is creative, funny, thought-provoking, and a beautiful representation of Oxnard's beating heart, its people, and community. -Rosalilia M. Mendoza, Tia Chucha's Centro Cultural Bookstore Coordinator & Community Member When youth are trying to find themselves and the purpose of their lives, it can be a trying time. This thought-provoking story through the eyes of a young bicultural/bilingual kid is a must-read, beautifully told with wonderful colorful illustrations sharing the culture of a rich heritage. Self-awareness and self-acceptance are lessons students of all ages can learn from this powerful message. This book can help teachers open up class discussions about the importance of being true to oneself and one's heritage, as well as teaching appreciation for different cultural backgrounds. -Ms. Jacqueline Villanueva, M.Ed., Elementary School Teacher in Oxnard & Artist

"""This book is very important to Oxnard kids because they need to know that being bilingual is a good thing and they should not be embarrassed about it. Also, the message in this book encourages our kids to never forget where they come from and to be proud of their culture."" -Yecenia Marròn, Mother of 3 kids and Resident of Oxnard ""What stood out to me the most about this book is the importance of speaking Spanish in our lives to be able to translate for my Grandpa, who does not speak very much English, and to be able to help him translate his mail. I hold the key to the city by going to Carl's Jr. and ordering for us because my Great-Grandmother doesn't speak English."" -Allison Ambriz, 4th-Grade Student in Oxnard ""The thing that I liked the most about this book was that one of the characters looked just like me. He had dark skin like me. This book showed me that you can talk to more people and help out more people if you speak two languages."" -Darren Rivas, 2nd-Grade Student in Oxnard ""This story is vibrant with color and experience. Captures the struggles of shame and language our youth face, and how to overcome/reconcile these. It is creative, funny, thought-provoking, and a beautiful representation of Oxnard's beating heart, its people, and community."" -Rosalilia M. Mendoza, Tia Chucha's Centro Cultural Bookstore Coordinator & Community Member ""When youth are trying to find themselves and the purpose of their lives, it can be a trying time. This thought-provoking story through the eyes of a young bicultural/bilingual kid is a must-read, beautifully told with wonderful colorful illustrations sharing the culture of a rich heritage. Self-awareness and self-acceptance are lessons students of all ages can learn from this powerful message. This book can help teachers open up class discussions about the importance of being true to oneself and one's heritage, as well as teaching appreciation for different cultural backgrounds.""-Ms. Jacqueline Villanueva, M.Ed., Elementary School Teacher in Oxnard & Artist"

Author Information

Dr. Martín Alberto Gonzalez is a Xicano raised in Oxnard, California. He completed his undergraduate studies at California State University, Northridge, then earned his doctorate from the Cultural Foundations of Education Department at Syracuse University, where he became the first Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellow in the university's history. Because he personally observed his older siblings and his community's talents and interests be denied and repressed due to a lack of resources and opportunities, he became interested in issues related to social justice. As a teacher-scholar-activist, Dr. Gonzalez takes pride in telling stories that challenge stereotypes and empower his community and communities alike. El Dr. Martín Alberto Gonzalez es Xicano, creció en Oxnard, California. Terminó sus estudios superiores en la Universidad Estatal de California, Northridge. Obtuvo su doctorado por parte del Departamento de Educación de Fundaciones Culturales de la Universidad de Syracuse, donde se convirtió en el primer becario predoctoral de la Fundación Ford en la historia de la universidad. Debido a que presenció cómo a sus hermanos/a mayores y a su comunidad se les negaron y reprimieron talentos e intereses debido a la falta de recursos y oportunidades; se interesó por las cuestiones relacionadas con la justicia social. Como profesor-académico-activista, el Dr. González se siente orgulloso de contar historias que desafíen los estereotipos y empoderen su propia comunidad y otras comunidades similares.

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