  | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 10/01/2018 Gr 5–8—Güero is a Mexican American border kid with nerdy tastes, pale skin, and red hair. Wishing he had been born with a darker complexion so no one would question his Mexican American heritage, Güero's family tell him to be grateful for the advantages his lighter hair and skin afford him and to use it to open doors for the rest of his family. And what a family it is! While Güero's wise, resourceful, and often hilarious family provides a buoy through the turbulent waters of seventh grade, so too, do influential educators and "Los Bobbys," Güero's liked-minded, bookish friends. The tuned-in school librarian fuels Güero's passion for reading with his diverse literature collection, and his transformational English teacher helps him discover his voice through poetry. Güero's voice carries this novel through a playful array of poetic forms, from sonnets to raps, free verse to haiku. A Spanish-to-English glossary at the back of the book aids the non-Spanish reader's understanding of the text, while it simultaneously, and perhaps more significantly, communicates the beauty of the language and of Güero's heritage. Readers come away with two worthy takeaways: firstly, that life is challenging for a child of immigrants on the southern U.S. border, and, secondly—triumphantly—a deep appreciation for the richness of Güero's culture. VERDICT Vibrant and unforgettable, this is a must-have for all middle grade collections. Pair with both fiction and nonfiction books on immigration, forced cultural assimilation, and stories about contemporary Mexican American life.—Melissa Williams, Berwick Academy, ME - Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Booklist - 07/01/2019 Redheaded, freckled-faced Güero lives near the border, regularly crossing over into Mexico to have breakfast with his dad and to visit his maternal grandparents. His family has worked hard to build their home, and he finds inspiration in his hardworking uncles; his papá, who helped to build so much of the border neighborhood where they live; and his abuela, who introduced him to the legends of their culture. As seventh grade begins, Güero is excited to join his friends to meet up in the library, exchange good books, play games, and read comics. As they begin the new school year, Güero discovers an English teacher who introduces them to the magic of poetry and of different cultures, and he begins to notice a tough girl named Joanna, who also loves superheroes and video games. Filled with Spanish dichos and terms, diverse cultures, and Mexican myths, this novel in poems is a clear lens into the life of a Mexican American boy with an identity tied to the struggles, legends, and rich heritage of his ancestors and family, who uses what he learns to move forward. - Copyright 2019 Booklist. Loading...
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