Summary
When Lola’s teacher asked her class to draw a picture of where their family was from, Lola wasn’t excited. She can’t remember The Island, because she left when she was a baby. Lola realizes she can ask her family to help her remember. With the help of family and friends, Lola is able to use her imagination to take a journey back to the island. Lola goes to school the next day and tells her class she tried really hard to remember the island but instead learned she is the island.
Theme(s):
Diversity, Help of Family,
Personal Response
I enjoyed reading this book. I think it’s a great story teachers can read to their class, as students will be able to relate. Just like Lola students can go home and learn about where their families came from. I also really liked how the teacher hung up the students pictures and used the window reference. She said, ” Anytime you want to look at one another’s first homes all you have to do is look out the windows”. I liked how the story included Spanish vocabulary such as abuela and and hija.
Teaching Ideas
After reading this story, I would have students learn more about where their family is from. I would ask them to go home and find out where their family immigrated from and to learn more about their heritage. I would ask students to bring in something about their heritage to share with the class, whether it be pictures, food, or clothing. I think it’s important for students to know we all come from different places. It’s also important to know about our heritage and embrace it.
Recommended Reading Level
Birth-PreK, Grade 01, Grade 02
