The Skirt

Citation: Soto, Gary. The skirt. New York, NY: Yearling. ISBN 0-440-40024-1 Plot Summary: Miata Ramirez has really done it this time. She decided to take her prized folklorico skirt to school. On the bus however playing with the boys like little girls do, Miata loses track of her skirt. She has a big performance on Sunday and without her mother's skirt what will she do? Miata and her best friend Ana will do anything to get it back. That includes breaking into the bus to get it back. Together with her best friend Ana they go on an adventure to get the skirt back. Critical Analysis: Gary Soto created loveable characters in Miata and her family. Set in a small town in San Joaquin Valley, the reader learns about their history in Los Angeles and how their life has changed for the better. Miata's father Joe is unfortunately a typical character in Hispanic literature. He is a hard working skilled laborer who provides for his family. The characters in this particular book are not as developed as I would have liked them to be. The short nature of the book does not allow for full length detail but a little more insight would have given more to the audience. The plot of young Miata losing something valuable and trying to get it back takes the reader on the usual childhood adventure. It is rather dry. Unlike "Baseball in April" by Soto, The Skirt just is not that entertaining. It seems as if Soto has tried to, understandably, keep the theme of the Hispanic family, but has left the reader bored. The spotting of Spanish phrases throughout the book are placed for authenticity's sake, but are unnecessary. They try too hard to stay within the cultural boundaries of the Hispanic culture. The book is atypical of how society sees Latino families. The Catholic family, the stay at home mother, two children (at least) and a skilled laborer patriarch who works takes on side jobs to support his family. Burt understandable it was created for a young audience who need to feel that connection with literature. But for adults, I find it a little hindering and annoying. Accessed Reviews: Publishers Weekly described by PW as a ``spunky and imaginative'' heroine, Miata comes up with a clever plan to retrieve her beloved folklorico dance skirt. Accesssed 6/23/07. School Library Journal - Miata Ramirez has a problem that will strike a chord with many children: she forgets things. This particular Friday afternoon, she has left her folklorico skirt on the school bus, and she is supposed to dance in it on Sunday. She sees no alternative but to break into the bus and retrieve it. So, dragging along her shy friend, Ana, that is exactly what she does. This is a light, engaging narrative that successfully combines information on Hispanic culture with familiar and recognizable childhood themes. The San Joaquin Valley, California, setting is realistically drawn, and the closeness of Miata's family is reassuring. A fine read-aloud and discussion starter, this story blends cultural differences with human similarities to create both interest and understanding. Accessed from: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9780440409243&itm=2 Connections: Ada, Amla Flor. My Name Is Maria Isabel. ISBN: 068980217X Stavans, Ilan. Wachale! : Poetry and Prose about Growing Up Latino. ISBN: 0812647505