Where the Flame Trees Bloom

by Alma Flor Ada

Overview

Learn of the family values and experiences of a young child growing up in Cuba through this retelling of stories from author Alma Flor Ada’s childhood.

Through charming detail and beautiful illustrations, noted author Alma Flor Ada shares true stories from her childhood filled with family love and values. Told through the eyes of a child, a whole world comes to life for readers from tales about relatives, friends, and the hacienda where she grew up during her elementary years.

“Warmth and love for a treasured childhood exude from the pages.... Those who wonder what ‘family values’ really are may possibly find the answer in this slim volume of short stories.” — School Library Journal

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781416968405
Publisher:	Aladdin
Publication date:	11/28/2007
Pages:	80
Sales rank:	1,026,679
Product dimensions:	5.80(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.30(d)
Lexile:	1030L (what's this?)
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

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.

Editorial Reviews

Gr 3-6-Those who wonder what ``family values'' really are may possibly find the answer in this slim volume of short stories. Telling of her childhood in Cuba, Ada begins with an introduction to her homeland followed by 11 episodes about her family and her community. One story tells of her grandfather Modesto's courage and loyalty in the face of the death of his beloved wife and the simultaneous collapse of the Cuban economy. Another tells of her great-grandmother Mina, who continued to make rag dolls for the village children even after she had lost her sight. And a third tale tells of a Japanese street vendor who sold ice cream for a living, but gave generous samples to children who could not afford to pay. Warmth and love for a treasured childhood exude from the pages. The writing is elegant, but not overly sweet. Each selection stands well on its own. Children can read this book independently or enjoy listening to it read aloud.-Marilyn Long Graham, Lee County Library System, Fort Myers, FL

School Library Journal