Summary
This story is based on hurricane Maria in 2017 in Puerto Rico. Alicia listens to the coqui, the native frogs, every night which helps her to sleep. They sing their songs which she hears as pride for her country. She and her family hear of the hurricane and take shelter. There she is afraid and can no longer hear the coqui that give her strength. After the storm she is upset to see her home in ruins. Her community comes together to help each other and she can hear her coqui’s proud song again.
Theme(s):
Community, Family, Nature
Personal Response
I liked this book, written in both English and Spanish. The English section also kept some of the important Spanish words that wouldn’t be as powerful if they were in English. This book resonates with how I feel being Puerto RIcan. To me the coqui symbolized her pride for her country which she almost lost in the destruction. She was able to get that feeling back when she saw her community working together and so she heard the coqui sing their prideful song about her people, not just the land.
Teaching Ideas
As a SEL or ELA activity I would have students discuss and write about ways they have overcome an obstacle. What helped them to overcome their challenge and how did they feel overcoming it? Then have them compare their obstacles with one another’s so that they can see the similarities and differences in their challenges. Or the book can start off a social studies inquiry project where students explore the real social and economic impacts of Hurricane Maria on Puerto Rico in 2017.
Recommended Reading Level
Grade 03, Grade 04, Grade 05
