Armando y la escuela de lona azul

By Edith Hope Fine, Judith Josephson, Hernán Sosa
Paperback: $12.95

In Spanish. The story of a young Mexican boy living in a colonia (trash dump community) who takes the first steps toward realizing his dream of getting an education.

Front cover for Armando and the Blue Tarp School by Edith Hope Fine; Judith Josephson and Hernán Sosa
This book is also available in English
Armando and the Blue Tarp School
By Edith Hope Fine, Judith Josephson, Hernán Sosa

Description

Buh-beep! Buh-beep! A truck horn sounds through Armando’s colonia, his neighborhood, near the city dump. Señor David is back, setting up school on a blue tarp spread on the ground. Oh how Armando longs to go to this school, but he knows he must help his father pick through trash in the dump for things his family can use, recycle, or sell.

When Armando’s parents decide at last to let him spend afternoons at Señor David’s school, Armando is overjoyed. He’ll learn to read and write. He’ll learn numbers. Best of all, he’ll draw pictures. And one momentous day Armando’s love of drawing helps bring an almost unimaginable treasure to the children of the colonia.

Translated from Armando and the Blue Tarp School, Armando y la escuala de lona azul is a testament to the pursuit of dreams and the power of one person to make a difference in the lives of others.

About the Creators

Edith Hope Fine

Edith Hope Fine is a full-time writer of children's books and stories. Fine's Under the Lemon Moon, published by Lee & Low Books, was a Parents' Choice Award Honor book. Fine lives in Encinitas, California. To find out more, visit Edith Hope Fine's Web site at edithfine.com. Edith, along with co-author Judith Pinkerton Josephson, have created a special site for the Lee & Low Books title Armando and the Blue Tarp School at bluetarpschool.com.

Judith Josephson

Judith Pinkerton Josephson is a full-time writer of children's books and stories. Josephson's Growing Up in World War II won first place in the San Diego Book Awards. She lives in Encinitas, California. To find out more, visit Judith Pinkerton Josephson's Web site at judithjosephson.com. Judith, along with co-author Edith Hope Fine, have set up a special site for the Lee & Low Books title Armando and the Blue Tarp School at bluetarpschool.com.

Hernán Sosa

Hernán Sosa was born in Argentina and raised in Paraguay. He received a degree in visual communications from the Colorado Institute of Art. He currently works as an illustrator of children's books and as a graphic designer focusing mostly on magazines. Sosa and his wife live in Denver, Colorado. His website is coroflot.com/hernansosaillustration.

Awards

  • Best Children's Books of the Year

    Bank Street College of Education

  • CCBC Choices

    Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)

  • California Young Reader Medal Nominee

    California Young Reader Medal

Reviews

  • "The simplicity of the story is what lets it run deep, its bite of realism; no sermons are being delivered here, just a door thrown open to life under reduced circumstances (though Sosa's artwork, with its look of leaded glass, conveys a benevolent quality to the proceedings). Without patronizing, Señor David defines the essence of humanitarianism, while the pepenadores, ever searching for beauty in the beast, find gold-and prize it."

    - Kirkus Reviews
  • "This poignant picture book narrated by a young boy is based on a true story of a New York City teacher who set up a school on a blue tarp spread on the ground near a garbage dump in Tijuana, Mexico. . . Without melodrama, Armando's story shows what poverty means and the hope that things can change."

    - Booklist
  • "The well-written text will be an eye-opener for children who take school for granted."

    - School Library Journal

Paperback

  • ISBN 9781600604492
  • Price $12.95
  • Publication Date Mar 15, 2014
  • Trim Size 10.5 × 8.5 in
  • Weight 0.3125 lbs
  • Page Count 32
  • Interests

  • Imprint Lee & Low Books
  • Audience Children
  • BISAC Category 1 JUV / People & Places / United States / Hispanic & Latino
  • BISAC Category 2 JUV / School & Education
  • BISAC Category 3 JUV / People & Places / Mexico
  • Themes Classroom Activities, Collaboration, Dreams & Aspirations, Education, Empathy / Compassion, Fiction, Friendship, Home, Human Impact On Environment / Environmental Sustainability, Identity / Self Esteem / Confidence, Kindness / Caring, Latinx / Latino / Hispanic, Leadership, Mentors, Occupations, Optimism / Enthusiasm, Overcoming Obstacles, Persistence / Grit, Poverty, Pride, Realistic Fiction, Respect / Citizenship, Responsibility, Sharing & Giving
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 5 - 8
  • Grade Range Grades 3 - 5
  • Guided Reading Q
  • Spanish Guided Reading Q
  • DRA 40
  • Interest Level Grades K - 5
  • Reading Level Grades 3 - 4
  • Bebop Reading Fluent
  • This Book is Included in These Collections:

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