La Mariposa
Written by: Francisco Jimenez
Illustrated by: Simon Silva
Francisco, an immigrant from Mexico and the son of migrant workers, has difficulty adjusting to first grade in a new school because he doesn't speak English and, to make matters worse, the class bully seems to have it in for him. Francisco becomes fascinated with a jar containing a caterpillar and fantasizes about flying out of the classroom like a butterfly and back to his Papa in the fields. Francisco’s interest in butterflies also inspires a drawing that earns Francisco a prize and the respect of his classmates. The author, who was himself held back in school because he did not speak English well enough, weaves Spanish, without translation, through the text. The author and illustrator are both immigrants who worked in the fields of California.
[Grade Level: K - 3]