Fourth Grade Journey

A Fourth Grade Teacher's Journey Through the World of Books

Saturday, January 23, 2021

Love in English by Maria E. Andreu

How I Heard About It:
*This young-adult novel came to me from the great people at Balzer & Bray, HarperCollins, and Spark Point Studio.  The book will be released into the "wild" on Tuesday, February 2, 2021.


What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
*Life for the high school student can be difficult, challenging, and muddy.

*When you don't understand the English language, walking in the high school hallways and sitting in the classroom, can make the school experience all that more difficult.


*Ana's father left Argentina to start a new life for his family in America.  Four years later she and her mother finally join him to begin the American dream.

*Ana misses her best friend, the only home she has known, and understanding what everyone around her is "talking" about.  

*When she meets two very different boys at school, Ana's world becomes even more unstable, confusing, and full of new words and love.


What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
*My recent reading life has not included much young-adult so I was excited to dive into the world of the high-school experience.

*Being a fan of both reading and writing, the subject matter intrigued and interested me.  I was NOT disappointed after finishing.  

*As a fourth grade teacher I know how difficult life can be for our children who are new to the country and our English language.  While reading, I felt the difficulties and struggle Ana dealt with while trying to fit in.

*Some of my favorite scenes within the pages were in the ESL classroom with their teacher Mr. T.  He was one of a kind.

*Maria E. Andreu wrote a fantastic story of a young girl navigating the muddy waters of words, language, and expressing yourself with your peers, but that should come as no surprise as the book is inspired by her own life experiences.  


Who Should Read It:
*The perfect story for the middle-school and high-school reader.  If you know of an ESL student who may be relatively new to the United States, this may be the novel to put into their hands.  The plot is easy to read, flows from page to page, and keeps the readers' interest.  Happy Reading!  


Rating:
  
STARS out of 5 Stars

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