M. Pasela-Grimley (Parent Council Volume 8)
In this beautifully told true story, a Mexican-American boy from a migrant family tries to make sense of a new life in the city. He feels as if he is a boy "upside down." A wonderful teacher, loving parents, and friends help him to find his voice both literally and figuratively. Bold colors in this English-Spanish bilingual picture book make it a joy to read. 2000, Children's Book Press, $15.95. Ages 5 to 10.

Fern Kory (The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, April 2000 (Vol. 53, No. 8))
This exuberant bilingual picture book chronicles Juanito’s experience of finding his feet in a new place and his voice in a new language. In a brief introductory note, Herrera (author of Calling the Doves, BCCB 12/95) explains that when he was eight years old, his mother decided it was time for the family to give up their nomadic life as campesinos (field workers) and settle down in the city so he could go to school. Juanito’s understandable anxieties at this move are poignant and poetic; since he does not yet speak English, he especially worries about the language gap and wonders, “Will my tongue turn into a rock?” The sometimes surreal acrylic illustrations successfully convey Juanito’s nervous excitement as well as the disorientation he expresses when he later describes himself (after mistakenly eating his lunch during recess time) as “the upside down boy.” In time, however, Juanito rights himself, thanks to his parents’ appreciation of both their native Spanish and their acquired English and thanks to Juanito’s young teacher, who praises his first poem and his singing voice. A happy ending that reads the same in both English and Spanish (“Uno . . . dos . . . and three!”) allows readers and listeners focusing on the language of either or both versions of the story to appreciate this celebration of shared languages and individual voices. Review Code: R -- Recommended. (c) Copyright 2000, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 2000, Children's Book Press, 32p, $15.95. Ages 6-9 yrs.

Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, Fall 2000)
A renowned Mexican-American poet writes about his childhood in this bilingual book. When Juanito's migrant worker family settles down in the city so he can go to school for the first time, he becomes the confused "upside down boy" in the English-speaking school. Herrera's poetic prose sings with a unique voice in both languages, and Gómez's illustrations are colorful and ethereal. Category: Nonfiction-Biographies. 2000, Children's, 32pp, $15.95. Ages 5 to 9. Rating: 2: Superior, well above average.

Evelyn Romig (The Lorgnette - Heart of Texas Reviews (Vol. 13, No. 2))
The first day of school is traumatic in any culture, but for Juanito, a migrant Hispanic boy moving to the city for the first time, every aspect of school is confusing: the language, recess, lunch, and the other children. In his free-flowing poem, Herrera captures the ups and downs of moving and school, from the exhilaration of new colors and smells to the fear of having a "tongue like a rock" when the teacher calls on you. This teacher, however, becomes the encourager who helps Juanito to excel. Elizabeth Gomez's whimsical illustrations will encourage children to explore the book. Bilingual children will enjoy the two languages of the book, but even more the reassurance that moving is not so bad after all. Grades 3-5. 2000, Children's Book Press, 31p, $15.95. Ages 8 to 11.