Alma Flor AdaLove, Amalia

I like the fact that it uses all verbal tenses in Spanish, as well as many new verbs that otherwise would not be introduced in a Grammar book.

This is part of my fourth grade curriculum and my students loved the story!

A delightful, moving book for young readers.

Amalia had been going to her grandmothers every Friday since she was very small. Her friend Martha had been going with her since they were in the fourth grade. But now Martha is moving away to California. Her father has a new job and she won't be able to spend time with Amalia any longer. Amalia is sad and hurt by this abrupt news. What will happen to her when Martha leaves?Amalia remembers the fun that she had with Martha. They would hang out at the park together. They rode bikes on the weekends, visited the library, played soccer and fun word games. Together they shared a lot of interests and learned from each other. Amalia is now left with a feeling of abandonment and anger. Her Grandmother explained to her the value of friendship. She told her the story of how she would write cards and letters to family and friends and the ones she received she would keep. She advised Amalia to consider keeping in touch with Martha by sending her letters.Grandmother shares a family history and traditions which were woven throughout her lifetime and provided a loving warmth and inspired in Amalia a longing to learn more. But, Amalia experiences more pain, her grandmother passes and she is devastated. Amalia was left a box filled with letters that her grandmother had kept over the years. She learned so much about her family. Now she must decide if whether or not she will follow in her grandmothers footsteps and connect again with Martha.Alma Flor Ada has created another tremendous story of family and tradition. The Hispanic culture is full of glorious traditions and tasty foods. Young girls will come to love Amalia. A quick fun read, this story and its colorful journey will have young readers wanting to connect with their own families. The back of the book has recipes for pineapple and coconut flavored flan for readers to try and enjoy. There is also a list of question readers can answer and send to Alma Flor Ada. I recommend this read for any young girl coming of age.

Love, Amalia is a very thoughtful account of a child that was hurting due to the loss of her beloved grandmother and her best friend that moved away. The synopsis of the book is as described by the other reviewers, so I will not repeat that.I really liked the way the author included the culture of the Latinos throughout the book and uplifted it. It made me want to enter the house of "Amalita" and smell the cake that her grandmother baked, and hear the soft music. I think that this book will speak to the heart of a school age child that is hurting from the loss of someone dear.The only thing that I wondered about was the use of Spanish phrases that were sprinkled throughout the book, considering some people reading it might not understand them. I understood them because I speak Spanish, but I don't know how others might feel, particularly children that do not understand Spanish. I think that in most parts of the book, the author mostly rewrote in English (within that sentence) what the translation of the phrase was, but I am not sure that she did it every time. I know that this is a common practice in literature to be read by adults, but I personally have not seen it used in literature to be used by children that are still learning to read. It would probably be enjoyed by bilingual children, but I don't know about children that speak English only.

Love, Amalia is a story of a young Latino girl who is discovering the lessons of loss, friendship and love of family. When this delightful book begins, Amalia is facing a problem with her best friend and shares it with her grandmother. The tender bond and relationship that exists between Amalia and her grandmother is one she will soon understand as she embarks on a journey of self-discovery within life and within herself.The authors, who write from their hearts, do an exceptional job of creating a story that will help parents and caregivers approach the subject of grief and loss with all children. Love, Amalia will also teach the valuable lesson of why people are important and, most importantly, why we ourselves are truly special.

In Love, Amalia, Alma Flor Ada invites us into a well-crafted world of a young girl struggling with the double loss of her best friend and of her grandmother, internal strife, and growing up, all the while, learning through fine examples, family support, and tender love how to overcome difficult situations in life. The influence of family, love, and patience weave through chapters like a tightly woven blanket. The story unfolds within a rich Hispanic setting where the demonstration of the importance of family, preparation and sharing of meals, and retelling of stories is integral. Amalia's relationship to her grandmother develops on Friday afternoon visits, over cakes and cookies baked together, and through conversations across the dining room table. Abuelita's unwavering love, even when Amalia shares her deepest secret of stealing, presents a strong and powerful example of integrity, honesty, and support. One of the greatest gifts Abuelita left was showing Amalia how important it is to let others know how special they are and how much they mean to you. Abuelita's treasured box of family cards, a unique tool to share backstory and demonstrate the power of words, reveals the importance of people in Abuelita's life. Amalia holds firmly to Abuelita's final words to her. "You will find a way to stay close to Martha." Amalia's letter to Martha on the last page reveals Amalia's growth as she reaches out to her friend.