Felita

Rating:
Summary: A book better shared
Review: Felita introduces the reader to a strong and loving Puerto Rican family living in New York. The characters are well-developed and interesting. The plot is interesting enough to engage young readers. The book is recommended for children 4-8, but I feel it is more appropriate for children comfortable with chapter books. I realize that age levels are subjective, but I believe that a 4-8 year old would be better off sharing this book with a caregiver or teacher. The book deals with racism and death of a loved one, and for these reasons I feel that it makes an appropriate shared reading book. It is important to offer children a chance to discuss Felita's experience with racism. Without open discussion,it could lead the reader to believe that all Irish and Germans are racist. In this story Felita's beloved grandmother dies, but the death is dealt with in three pages at the end of the story. I don't think given the care taken to describe the relationship between Felita and her grandmother, this ending does the characters or subject justice.

Rating:
Summary: Felita Review
Review: Felita is a story of a Puerto Rican family struggling to give their children a brighter future in the face of racism and prejudice. I think these are important issues that need to be addressed with children, in the classroom or in the home. I found it especially poignant that the children immediately accepted Felita as a friend, but it was the adults that rejected differences and cultivated the prejudice in their children. I am confused about the previous review stating that this book is appropriate for chidren ages 4-8. The back of the book states that it is for children 7-11 years of age and the top of this page states that it is appropriate for ages 9-12. Children of these ages should become familiar with short chapter books such as this one. Overall, I found this to be a good addition to a culturally diverse selection of childrens books-- one perspective to add to the many that make up life in the United States.

Rating:
Summary: Moving on up
Review: Usually, I don't read the backs or book flaps of the books I intend to review. I like to keep a fresh mind open and to come across a book without any expectations or any plot points given away. But in the case of "Felita", I made an exception. I read that the book was all about a girl's move from her predominantly Puerto Rican neighborhood into a "better" German/Irish neighborhood and the strife that occurs there. And yes, that is part of the book. But what's remarkable about "Felita" is that its more an examination of separate events in Felita's life than a single one that defines her. Her confrontation with racism is, in some ways, just as important as her ways of dealing with the death of her beloved abuelita. This book is one to be taken as a whole. Not glorifying a single plot point.

In the course of a year, Felita has a lot to deal with. First there's her family's move to a neighborhood that will provide good schools for Felita and her brothers. When the neighbors turn out to be prejudiced and not afraid to make their threats physical, the family is forced to move back to their old area at a bit of a loss. Then there's the fire that burns down poor Old Bernie's candy shop. Felita also has to deal with her supposed best friend stealing of the lead in the school play out from under everyone's nose. Fortunately, Felita's grandmother, Abuelita, is there to listen to everything her granddaughter has to say and to offer advice. But when Abuelita becomes ill, it's Felita who must find the courage to continue on.

The book's an excellent follow-up to the slightly similar, "My Name is Maria Isabel". Both books involve Puerto Rican girls dealing with the problems and prejudices of the adults around them. But "Maria Isabel" is a much younger reader while "Felita" is the perfect reading level for fourth to fifth graders. When I read it, I was initially shocked at the degree of hatred leveled at Felita's family after their move. The book was written in 1979, so it's debatable whether or not you'd find this level of prejudice in any large urban city with a significant Latin American community. Certainly you might find some small growls, but nothing like the concentrated effort on the part of the people found here anymore. One review of this book posed the worry that maybe the children reading this book would automatically dislike Germans and Irish because of their actions here. This is, to say the least, unlikely. At no point does Felita point to her neighbors and say, "I hate those Irish and those Germans!". It's mentioned that that's who originally populated the area. Nothing more.

The book is an interesting series of vignettes in the life of a single girl. And it reads as beautifully today as it did in the late 70s. The writing is clear, crisp, and easy to understand. Children will definitely agree with Felita on everything from her anger at her nasty neighbors to her hurt feelings when her best friend doesn't even tell her she wants the lead in the school play. Mohr sticks with clear cut emotions and matter-of-fact situations. It's a fun book with a catchy plot and interesting characters. A good read all around.