Dancing Home

A year of discoveries culminates in a performance full of surprises, as two girls find their own way to belong.Mexico may be her parentsrs" home, but itrs"s certainly not Margiers"s. She has finally convinced the other kids at school she is one-hundred percent Americanjust like them. But when her Mexican cousin Lupe visits, the image shers"s created for herself crumbles.Things arenrs"t easy for Lupe, either. Mexico hadnrs"t felt like home since her father went North to find work. Lupers"s hope of seeing him in the United States comforts her some, but learning a new language in a new school is tough. Lupe, as much as Margie, is in need of a friend.Little by little, the girlsrs" individual steps find the rhythm of one shared dance, and they learn what "home" really means. In the tradition of My Name is Maria Isabeland simultaneously published in English and in SpanishAlma Flor Ada and her son Gabriel M. Zubizarreta offer an honest story of family, friendship, and the classic immigrant experience: becoming part of something new, while straying true to who you are.

Alma Flor Ada, an authority on multicultural and bilingual education, is the recipient of the 2012 Virginia Hamilton Literary Award, and in 2014 she was honored by the Mexican government with the prestigious OHTLI Award. She is the author of numerous award-winning books for young readers, including Dancing Home with Gabriel Zubizarreta, My Name Is María Isabel, Under the Royal Palms (Pura Belpré Medal), Where the Flame Trees Bloom, and The Gold Coin (Christopher Award Medal). She lives in California, and you can visit her at AlmaFlorAda.com.

Gabriel M. Zubizarreta draws from his experiences of raising his three wonderful daughters in his writing. He hopes his books will encourage young people to author their own destinies. He coauthored Love, Amalia and Dancing Home with Alma Flor Ada. Gabriel lives in Northern California with his family and invites you to visit his website at GabrielMZubizarreta.com.