Spanish is the Language of My Family / El español es la lengua de mi familia

Illustrated by: John Parra

Pages: 40, Color

Size: 10″ x 8.5″

ISBN-10: TBD

ISBN-13: 978-0-8234-5004-6 / 978-0-8234-5446-4

Publisher: Holiday House (July 2023)

Imprint: Neal Porter Books

Language: English / español

Kirkus Starred Review

★

Spanish is the Language of My Family

Tenderly Tremendous

To prepare for the school Spelling Bee en Español, a young Latine boy gets a much-needed boost from his cherished Abuela.

Manolo seems prepared for the bee, as there are many words he can already spell: “F-a-m-i-l-i-a.” “J-u-n-t-o-s.” “C-o-r-a-z-ó-n.” Still, the lista de palabras includes words that Manolo doesn’t know how to spell, so Abuela helps him. During their lessons together, she shares stories from her childhood, when the “rule at school was ‘English only.’ ” Speaking Spanish—even in secret on the playground—resulted in punishments for the students, including being sent home, paddled, or having their mouth washed out with soap. Spurred by Abuela’s stories of the recent hurtful past, Manolo throws himself into practice even when frustrations set in. “Tengo fuerza.” On the day of the spelling bee, Manolo stands tall on stage thanks to Abuela’s strength. A measured reckoning with an oft-overlooked period in U.S. history, Genhart and Parra’s poignant collaboration explores the echoes of generational trauma and the power of societal change and hope. An author’s note explains that Genhart drew from the 1930s through the 1960s, including his mother’s experiences in Southern California. The closeness between Manolo and Abuela adds a layer of warmth to this poignant tale, making this spelling bee journey an eventual resonant triumph. The splendid, textured acrylic-based artwork is rich and vibrant; an especially inspired spread sees a determined Manolo scaling the word practico. (This book was reviewed digitally.)Tenderly tremendous. (references, Spanish alphabet) (Picture book. 4-8)

What an honor to be featured in the July 2023 issue of Kirkus Reviews. Thank you, Alejandro Mazariegos, for this wonderful opportunity to share SPANISH IS THE LANGUAGE OF MY FAMILY (releases 7/11; illustrated by John Parra, Holiday House Books for Young People/ Neal Porter) as well as thoughts about my path as a writer.

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/michael-genhart/spanish-is-the-language-of-my-family/

The Horn Book Inc. Starred Review

★

Spanish is the Language of My Family

by Michael Genhart; illus. by John Parra; Neal Porter/Holiday House 40 pp.

Genhart highlights the love between a grandson and his abuela through their connection with the Spanish language. Narrator Manolo signs up to compete in his school’s Spanish spelling bee. While he practices, Abuela tells him stories of how she was not allowed to speak Spanish in school, recounting the punishment and shame doled out to her and her classmates. After hearing about her experiences, Manolo is more determined than ever to study, and ultimately triumphs at the spelling bee. With a vivid color palette, Parra’s acrylic and digital illustrations bring warmth and brightness to Genhart’s story, which smoothly incorporates Spanish words and phrases within the text. Extensive back matter explains how Spanish was frequently prohibited in schools in the Southwest, especially from the 1930s through 1960s, causing many families not to pass on their language to their children. The National Spanish Spelling Bee, first held in 2011, is an effort “to change the history of negative attitudes toward Spanish and to raise its status in the United States.” A Spanish alphabet, pronunciation guide, and selected references are appended. Concurrently published in Spanish as El español es la lengua de mi familia. YESICA HURD

School Library Journal Starred Review

★

El español es la lengua de mi familia

GENHART, Michael. illus. by John Parra; Holiday House/Neal Porter. 40p, Jul. 2023.

K-Gr 3–Little Manolo signs up for the annual Spanish spelling bee offered at his school, and he is excited about entering because Spanish is the language that his family speaks. He practices various words with the help of his family members, especially his grandmother. As they practice, his abuela tells stories about how she and her friends were only allowed to speak English at school or they would be punished, sent home, or hit with a paddle. As Manolo wins the spelling bee, he knows that he and his family win more than just a ribbon, but they also win healing and love. Parra’s art is impeccable, offering rich conversations even within the illustrations.

VERDICT A beautifully designed read-aloud that celebrates the importance of knowing more than one language, while also shedding light on what first-generation immigrants went through to make that possible today.–Melanie Ortega

Booklist Starred Review

★

Spanish is the Language of My Family

Genhart’s moving picture book tugs at heartstrings through a tender story of a young boy
preparing for his annual Spanish spelling bee. Inspired by his own mother’s stories, Genhart
offers a touching intergenerational story about a grandmother and grandson who bond over their
love of their home language that evokes deep feelings of joy and pride in cultural and linguistic
heritage. Parra’s visually striking artwork uses bold colors and lines to create a backdrop full of
visual context clues and cultural representation. While the simple narration and dialogue are
easy to both read and understand, the story is poignant and meaningful. As the young boy asks
his grandmother to help him spell some words, she describes the hardships of growing up in a
time when speaking Spanish was punished, which serves as the grandson’s fuel to persevere in
the spelling bee. Keywords spelled out on every other page allow for educators and readers to
practice their own spelling skills during storytelling, and the seamless integration of Spanish and
English, moving back and forth between words and phrases, will be familiar to multilingual
families. Back matter includes an essay providing real-world context to the history many Mexican
American families have experienced. A Spanish alphabet and brief notes on some
pronunciations wrap up this stirring and empowering story. Simultaneously published in Spanish
as El Español es la lengua de mi familia.

— Amy Ravelo

Publishers Weekly Starred Review

★

Spanish is the Language of My Family

A Latinx child prepares for a school’s spelling bee in Spanish throughout this emotionally tinged bilingual picture book. The first to sign up because “Spanish is the language of my family,” the child narrator quickly begins reviewing words. Studying with Abuela brings new meaning to the exercise as she reveals that during her childhood, “The rule at school was ‘English only,’ ” and recalls the punishments that family members experienced for speaking Spanish. Genhart’s musing first-person text seamlessly switches between the languages, interspersing relevant Spanish terms (on a page about Abuela, “Fuerte is strong. F-u-e-r-t-e”) while showing powerful familial support that leads up to a final spelling bee word: “R-e-s-p-e-t-o.” Parra’s layered acrylics employ letters and patterns in scenes of home and school, portraying figures of various skin tones throughout this significant glimpse into one child’s claiming of their heritage. An author’s note and other back matter contextualizes the story. English and Spanish editions publish simultaneously. Ages 4–8. (July)

School Library Journal Starred Review

★

Spanish is the Language of My Family

K-Gr 3–A powerful picture book that accessibly educates readers about linguistic discrimination and cultural resistance. The story is told from the perspective of a child entering his school’s annual Spanish spelling bee. While helping him practice, his grandma shares stories of how speaking Spanish in school was not only disdained when she was his age but also grounds for physical punishment. The child proudly celebrates his family’s language in the competition, spelling words like “poderoso/powerful” and “respeto/respect.” The text is primarily in English with a sprinkling of translated and untranslated Spanish words and phrases. Untranslated Spanish will not impede understanding for non-Spanish speakers. Short, simple, and powerful sentences make the text perfect for reading aloud or independently. Parra’s distinctive style shines in the illustrations with many thoughtful details that will keep readers engaged. Back matter about the author’s personal connection to the story and the history of language and education in the United States will answer readers’ questions and prompt new ones.

VERDICT An eye-opening and uplifting first purchase for children’s collections.

Reviewed by Maria Bohan , Aug 25, 2023