Winner of the Pura Belpre Award for Illustration
An ALA Notable Book
A Parents' Choice Award Winner
Chato can't believe his luck. Not only is he the coolest low-riding cat in East L.A., but his brand-new neighbors are the plumpest, juciest, tastiest-looking family of mice to move into the barrio in a long time. So Chato and his best friend, Novio Boy, get out the pots and pans, the tortillas and the beans--everything you'd need for a welcoming feast, except for the main dish, and the guests of honor. Of course, in Chato's mind they are one and the same thing.
But the mice are bringing a surprise guest of their own, who may be more than a cool cat can swallow.
"Wickedly funny. . . . Guevara's cats are delicious send-ups of barrio characters, and Soto's words glisten with wit. Salud to this magical pairing of talents."--Publishers Weekly, starred review
An original novella from award-winning children’s author and poet Gary Soto
Jason Rodriguez is a twelve-year-old who never had much luck—until he wins $3,700 in the lottery and becomes an Instant Winner! Jason can’t believe he’s won the lottery and decides he will use the money to get his crazy Uncle Mike out of jail. That’s where the real adventure begins.
“[Soto’s] sensitivity to young people’s concerns and his ability to portray the world as it is perceived by children is nothing less than remarkable.”—Los Angeles Times Book Review, praise for the author
Fifth-grader Miata Ramirez is running for class president. Her best friend, Ana, is her running mate. The girls are stunned when they learn they are running against class clown Rudy Herrera and his friend Alex. At first Miata is certain she will win the election. She has big plans to make the school a better place. She’ll clean up the graffiti, plant flowers and trees, and get computers. Rudy is confident he’ll get the votes by promising longer recess periods and selling the students ice cream every day. Who will come out on top?
“In supple, evocative language he remembers quietly euphoric summer days spent in the shade of fruit trees…Soto the realist does not neglect his boyhood mischief, and his sly sense of humor is exercised throughout.”—Publishers Weekly
Adept at portraying Latino teenage culture, author Gary Soto has won many honors, including an ALA Best Book Award for his young adult novels. After an East Fresno student is murdered, his mind leaves his body. Now he must get used to being an invisible spirit-one who watches his friends and family deal with his death.
What happens when the dad you don't know suddenly invades your life? Gabe Mendoza is off to the library when his long-absent father appears-and looks to be homeless. His father wants to reestablish a relationship, but thirteen-year-old Gabe is hesitant. He's confused. And his Mom is mad. Should Gabe allow his father back into his life, or keep his distance? Can Gabe's dad, with all his failings, clean up his act? This powerful novella by bestselling author Gary Soto will ring true to kids-and grown-ups-who can relate to the everyday challenges of one-parent home life. Soto's strong voice and poignant characters will draw you into Gabe's world and the decisions that will change his life.
When Hector’s mother suggests that he and his amigo, Mando, get out of East LA for the weekend and see some of the world, he’s thinking Paris. So he’s a little disappointed when they end up in Fresno, sleeping on a lumpy couch in his Uncle Julio’s messy apartment. Hector figures it’s going to be one boring weekend. He couldn’t be more wrong. Between flying in a rickety old plane, spotting an armored car heist, and warding off the bumbling thieves who did it, this could be the craziest—and scariest—weekend ever.
“Soto’s adept character development brings to life the witty, streetwise boys; the bumbling thugs; and the disheveled but well-meaning Julio. Humor is interjected on each page but is seldom forced…As in a number of other books by this talented author, Spanish words and phrases are sprinkled throughout…A fast-moving, light read.”--School Library Journal
Hector and his amigo Mando are looking for adventure as they hit the road on a leisurely bike trip from their East L.A. neighborhood to the beach in Santa Monica. They've just set out when the fun begins, as Hector literally stumbles into a starring role in a TV commercial. Then he turns out to be the one-millionth fan at a Dodger game--and is escorted to a private box and treated like a VIP! Before arriving at the beach, the boys record a rap song, paint a mural, and have a good laugh pretending to be wax figures at the Hollywood Wax Museum. But it's the people they encounter along the way who make the trip special--from nerdy cousin Bentley (whom they teach to be cool); to a girl who wants to be an Olympic star and lives in a Beverly Hills mansion complete with two tennis courts and three swimming pools; to Mando's streetwise cousin, Puppet. In a sequel to the highly praised Crazy Weekend, popular author Gary Soto combines warmth and humor in a lively story of friendship and family.
Gary Soto, an award-winning poet, is renowned for getting at the heart of a young person's everyday life. In these eleven stories, performed with spice and energy by young actors Stephanie Diaz and Miguel Gongora, Soto again scores. With a sensitivity and humor born from his own experiences while growing up in California's Central Valley, the author brings to the surface issues such as success and failure, honesty and deceit, love and friendship. Crooked teeth, ponytailed girls, embarrassing grandfathers, imposter Barbies, annoying brothers, Little League tryouts, and karate lessons weave the colorful fabric of Soto's world. The smart, tough, vulnerable kids in these stories are Latino, but their dreams and desires belong to all of us.
Gary Soto's Too Many Tamales earned critical acclaim from Parents' Choice and Booklist magazines. This endearing story stars Maria, a young girl who is now old enough to help her mother make the traditional Christmas tamales. While kneading the masa, she spots her mom's precious ring lying on the table. Just to see what it feels like, she slips it on and continues her work. The real trouble begins later when she notices the ring is missing. Could it have been cooked into one of the tamales?
Growing up Mexican-American in Fresno, California in the 1950's and 60's might not have been easy, but it was certainly never boring for young Gary Soto, his brother Rick and sister Debra. As this compilation of 21 short stories and articles illustrates, there is no limit to the amount of fun a child can have, or how much he can terrorize siblings and neighbors if his imagination is active. Whether it's beating the new neighbor kids with bagged cats, or staring into a fan for an hour without blinking while imagining he is a World War I biplane pilot, Soto passes along humorous and compelling life lessons and tales of coming of age. Gary Soto, author of The Skirt , teaches creative writing at the University of California, Berkeley. He often writes about what it is like growing up Mexican-American, and has produced two short films for Spanish-speaking children. Stories include: Being Mean, Looking for Work, The Beauty Contest, Saturday with Jackie, The Small Faces, Bloodworth, One Last Time, Being Stupid, and Getting By.
Chato's friend, Novio Boy, has never had a birthday party. As a matter of fact, he doesn't even know when his birthday is because he's from the pound. So Chato, being the good friend that he is, decides to throw him one - a "pachanga," and everyone is invited - including you! Narrated by Luis Guzman. DVD includes both English and Spanish versions with subtitles.
