In this timely tale of immigration, two cousins learn the importance of family and friendship.

A year of discoveries culminates in a performance full of surprises, as two girls find their own way to belong.

Mexico may be her parents' home, but it's certainly not Margie's. She has finally convinced the other kids at school she is one-hundred percent American-just like them. But when her Mexican cousin Lupe visits, the image she's created for herself crumbles.

Things aren't easy for Lupe, either. Mexico hadn't felt like home since her father went North to find work. Lupe's hope of seeing him in the United States comforts her some, but learning a new language in a new school is tough. Lupe, as much as Margie, is in need of a friend.

Little by little, the girls' individual steps find the rhythm of one shared dance, and they learn what "home" really means. In the tradition of My Name is Maria Isabel-and simultaneously published in English and in Spanish-Alma Flor Ada and her son Gabriel M. Zubizarreta offer an honest story of family, friendship, and the classic immigrant experience: becoming part of something new, while straying true to who you are.

 

This book has been graded for interest at 8-12 years.

There are 160 pages in this book. This book was published 2011 by Simon & Schuster .

Gabriel M. Zubizarreta draws from his experiences of raising his three wonderful daughters in his writing. He hopes his books will encourage young people to author their own destinies. He coauthored Love, Amalia and Dancing Home with Alma Flor Ada. Gabriel lives in Northern California with his family and invites you to visit his website at GabrielMZubizarreta. com. ALMA FLOR ADA is retired Professor of Education at the University of San Francisco. She is a well-known author of children's and professional books for teachers and with Isabel Campoy is the co-owner of Del Sol Books, a publishing company that specializes in Spanish language translations and materials for children.