For the child navigating new surroundings and language, this chapter book beautifully captures the challenge and triumph of finding your voice and belonging.
A parent might reach for this book when their child is struggling to navigate a new environment or grappling with feelings of being different, especially due to language or culture. The story follows Margie, a young Mexican American girl whose world is turned upside down when her cousin Lupe, who speaks only Spanish, comes from Mexico to live with her family. What begins as a story of jealousy and embarrassment beautifully transforms into one of empathy, family, and self-acceptance. It gently explores the complexities of bicultural identity and the courage it takes to embrace all parts of who you are. This book is a warm, reassuring read for children feeling caught between two worlds, showing them they are not alone and that home can be a feeling you create with others.
Includes brief instances of teasing from classmates based on language barriers.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly and realistically with themes of cultural identity, immigration, and assimilation. The feelings of alienation and mild discrimination (teasing from classmates) are portrayed from a child's perspective. The approach is secular and the resolution is deeply hopeful, emphasizing the strength of family bonds and the power of empathy in overcoming differences.
Ideal Reader
This book is ideal for an 8 to 11 year old child navigating their own bicultural identity, especially one who may feel embarrassed by or disconnected from their heritage. It's also perfect for a child who has recently immigrated or has a new classmate or family member from another country, as it builds immense empathy for the 'new kid' experience.
Parent Prep
No specific preparation is required; the book can be read cold. However, a parent should be ready to discuss the complex feelings Margie has, including her initial unkindness towards Lupe. It opens a safe space to talk about why we sometimes push people away when we feel insecure and what it means to be empathetic to someone whose experience is different from our own. A parent has noticed their child expressing frustration or embarrassment about their family's culture, language, or traditions. The child might be trying to distance themselves from their heritage to fit in with peers, or they may be struggling to connect with a relative who has a different cultural background.
Age Experience
A younger reader (8-9) will connect strongly with the cousin rivalry, the feelings of fairness, and the challenges of making friends. An older reader (10-11) will grasp the more nuanced themes of assimilation, code switching, and the internal conflict of belonging to two cultures at once. They will appreciate the dual perspectives offered by the narrative and Lupe's letters.
What Makes It Special
This book's unique strength lies in its dual perspective. While told primarily from Margie's point of view, Lupe's experience is shared through her heartfelt letters home to her mother. This structure masterfully builds empathy, allowing the reader to understand the motivations and pain of both girls. It moves beyond a simple 'immigrant story' to explore the complex dynamics within a bicultural family itself.
Read plot summary
Margie, a Mexican American girl who has worked hard to fit in at her American school, feels her identity threatened when her cousin, Lupe, arrives from Mexico. Lupe speaks no English and embodies the culture Margie has tried to downplay. The narrative follows the girls' tense relationship at home and at school, Margie's feelings of embarrassment and jealousy, and Lupe's profound loneliness. Their journey toward understanding and sisterhood culminates in a school project where they must perform a traditional Mexican folk dance together, forcing them to find common ground and celebrate their shared heritage.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
At the beginning of the book, Margie writes a poem about being a 'nothing girl,' feeling not Mexican enough and not American enough. Why do you think she feels this way? Have you ever felt caught between two things?
2
Lupe writes letters to her Mamá in Mexico to share her feelings. If Margie had written secret letters, who would she have written to and what would she have said about Lupe's arrival?
3
The book is called 'Dancing Home.' What do you think 'home' means to Margie at the start of the story, and what does it mean to her at the end? How does the dance help her find it?
4
There's a moment when Margie corrects a classmate who calls the dance a 'taco dance.' Why was this an important moment for her? What changed that made her feel brave enough to speak up?
