April 13, 2007

Becoming Naomi Leon - by Pam Munoz Ryan

What do you do when your mom, who left you with her own mother when you were young, tries to kidnap you from the only real home you've known?

From an author notable for her stories about brave girls comes this tale of Naomi Soledad Leon Outlaw, a young girl with a grandma, brother, good friends, and big problems. The story takes place in the town of Lemon Tree, California, and varies between Naomi's school, her grandma's trailer park in the middle of an avocado plantation, and exotic Oaxaca, Mexico. The story includes adventure, suspense, joy, anger, a terrible boyfriend, a daring escape, lots of carvings (sculpture from bars of soap) and a very cool librarian, among other things.

This is the book for you if you like twists and turns, emotional stories, tales about kids who overcome problems, Mexico, or different types of art. What an incredible book!