Hispanic American Literature - Module Three

Bibliography

Alvarez, Julia. 2001. How Tía Lola Came to Stay. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN 0375902155

Plot Summary

After moving to Vermont from New York after his parent’s divorce, Miguel is finding hard to fit in at school. While the kids ask if he is Indian, or just very tan, he isn’t sure how to answer them. He’s still finding it frustrating that they’ve nicknamed him Gooseman and quack at him, because they are unable to pronounce his last name, Guzmán. Now to add to his stress, his Aunt Lola is coming for a visit. Tía Lola is from the Dominican Republic and doesn’t speak any English. She wears brightly colored clothes, red lipstick and her black hair stacked on top of her head. All Miguel wants to do is hide her from everyone. It is Tía Lola who helps to turn life around for Miguel as she helps to form a baseball team in his own backyard. Tía Lola’s friendly personality, stories, and magic potions work their way into the hearts of everyone in the little Vermont town which prompts her to turn her visit into a stay.

Critical Analysis

Alvarez does a wonderful job naturally filling this book with cultural markers reflecting the Hispanic American culture. Miguel encounters many problems as he moves from his only home of New York City to the farm lands of Vermont where he is questioned about his skin color, and teased about his name. He refuses to learn Spanish or have anything to do with his Hispanic American heritage. While speaking to his father, Miguel expresses his frustration with being teased at school and having Tia Lola there for such a long visit. His father assures him that even though the kids at school think he is different and they can’t pronounce his name, he will endure the rough times and “you will grow into that pride the older you get”. This pride is that of his cultural heritage. Tia Lola spreads her heavy Dominican Republic accent around town in an almost comical way and everyone becomes enchanted with her. Each phrase she speaks is translated within the text so readers can fully understand the advancing story. As Tia Lola tries to learn English so she can stay in the country and be of help to her family, Miguel begins to learn Spanish. He often speaks in Spanglish to Tia Lola, English with a sprinkling of Spanish which is commonly practiced in the Hispanic American culture. Also noted is Tia Lola’s religious practice. She is a Santera and believes her food brings magical powers.

When Tia Lola takes the family to visit the relatives in the Dominican Republic, they are not sure how to act as their customs are very different. This story beautifully translates the messages of acceptance, diversity and tolerance.

Review Excerpts

“Young Juanita and Miguel's mother is in the process of divorcing her husband. She takes a new job and moves herself and the children from New York City, where they had many friends and were part of the Hispanic community, to Vermont. To Miguel, Vermont is an alien place-his brown skin sticks out among all the white faces. He has difficulty making friends and doesn't fit in. Then the children's aunt, Tia Lola, who used to take care of their mother, arrives from the Dominican Republic. She's charismatic and dresses flamboyantly, and even though she speaks very little English (a source of humor in the story); she becomes friends with people in the town. Tia Lola works her magic and Miguel learns not to be embarrassed by his colorful aunt. She helps him become part of his new community, and his self-confidence increases. This book succeeds in teaching readers to be more understanding of differences in others, and does so without preaching.” Library Talk

“When Miguel's Spanish-speaking Dominican aunt comes to visit his newly divorced mother in their new home in Vermont, her colorful ways at first embarrass him, then eventually endear her to him. What the story lacks in a clear central conflict, it makes up for with vivid characterization and evocative imagery. Dominican Spanish words flavor the narrative like so many of Tía Lola's spices.” Horn Book


Connections

Readers might also consider these books about family relationships.

Garza, Carmen Lomas. In My Family/En Mi Familia. ISBN 978-0892391387
Hays, Joe. Watch Out for Clever Women. Ill.by Vicki Trego Hill. ISBN 978-0938317203
Ryan, Pam Munoz. Esperanza Rising. ISBN 978-0439120425