Into the Beautiful North
"Into the Beautiful North," by Luis Alberto Urrea, tells the story of Nayeli, a young taco shop worker living in the Mexican village of Tres Camarones. Upon realizing that nearly all the men from her town have moved North, Nayeli and three of her friends travel to the San Diego area in hopes of finding men to bring back to Mexico. The central characters encounter surprises along the way, in this funny yet powerful tale of their journey.
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Multiple themes are covered and discussed in "Into the Beautiful North." -
Luis Alberto Urrea, one of today's most critically acclaimed writers, talks with us about his new novel "Into the Beautiful North," which is set in a Mexican village and in the Tijuana-San Diego border region.
Author Website. Find the book at your local library or bookstore, or purchase it online from your local independent bookstore, Mysterious Galaxy.
One Book for Kids Selection:
The children's companion book for "Into the Beautiful North" is "Armando and the Blue Tarp School" by Edith Fine and Judith Josephson.
Moloka’i
Rachel Kalama, a spirited seven-year-old Hawaiian girl, dreams of visiting far-off lands like her father, a merchant seaman. Then one day a rose-colored mark appears on her skin, and those dreams are stolen from her. Taken from her home and family, Rachel is sent to Kalaupapa, the quarantined leprosy settlement on the island of Moloka'i. Here her life is supposed to end—but instead, she discovers it is only just beginning.
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Find the book at your local library, or purchase it online from your local independent bookstore, Warwick’s. -
Author website. Find the book at your local library, or purchase it online from your local independent bookstore, Warwick’s.
Sky of Red Poppies
Set against the backdrop of a politically divided 1960's Iran under the rule of the Shah, "Sky of Red Poppies" is a novel about culture, politics, and the redeeming power of friendships. Roya, the daughter of a prominent family, is envious of the fierce independence of her religious classmate Shireen. But Shireen has secrets of her own. Together, Roya and Shireen contend with becoming the women they want to be and, in doing so, make decisions that will cause their tragic undoing. Explore our online discussion guide.
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Learn more about the Themes and Literary Strategies in Sky of Red Poppies. -
Learn more about the setting and genre for Sky of Red Poppies. -
Learn more about the author of Sky of Red Poppies. -
In chapter one, we are introduced to Roya, her family, and school life. We also begin to learn about the SAVAK and their role in Iranian society. -
In chapter two Roya and Shireen start to get to know each other as they connect over poetry and literature. The Persian New Year, Norooz is celebrated. -
Jenab discusses "The Little Black Fish" whcih causes a heated discussion. Roya learns more about Shireen, and is worried by Pedar's opium smoking. -
Things starts to escalate at the school in chapter four. The controversy surrounding Mr. Elmi is causing a ruckus. -
In chapter five, Shireen has a suitor is trying to convince her father to give his approval. Jenab teaches a harsh lesson, and school ends for the year. -
In chapter six, Roya spends her summer at the family farm. -
School starts again in chapter seven with SAVAK attacks escalated, and no sign of Jenab. -
In chapter eight Roya finds out why Shireen was gone for so long and receives a gift from her. -
In chapter nine school ends and Roya takes her university exams. She and Shireen start university and Shireen gets married. Roya notices a change in her friend. -
In chapter ten, Roya meets Kyan, a fellow student at her school. Summer comes and she goes to the farm with her father. -
In chapter eleven Roya goes to see Shireen and hears something unexpected. -
In chapter twelve Roya goes to see Jenab, and is kept home by her father. -
In chapter thirteen demonstrations escalate. Roya learns the sentence for Shireen and Eemon, and attends Ali's funeral. -
In chapter fourteen Roya is invited to visit Shireen in Tehran. Kyan asks her a very important question. -
In chapter fifteen, Roya goes to see Shireen in prison. -
In chapter 16 Mitra returns and begins work at the University. She has lunch with Roya and tells her some interesting things about Mr. Elmi. Roya begins to receive notes from Shireen through Nasrin.
Author Interview:
Find the book at your local library, or purchase it online from your local independent bookstore, Warwick’s.
One Book for Kids Selection:
The children's companion book for "Sky of Red Poppies" is"The Secret Message” by Mina Javaherbin.
