Because he can only speak Spanish, Francisco, son of a migrant worker, has trouble when he begins first grade.

This story is about a boy named Francisco, whose family was part of the migrant circuit that traveled to work in the fields around the country during the different seasons. Francisco is starting in a new school, but he doesn't speak English and is worried about how it will go. This book helps the reader gain a new perspective on what it is like to not fit in due to culture and language barriers, but it also reveals how relationships can be made through acts of kindness and love. This book has beautiful illustrations, some Spanish words, and is also available as an audio book. ( )

Summary: Francisco can not speak or understand English when he begins school, but finds his way to having friends and a place in the class when he wins a blue ribbon for his drawing of the butterfly.

Reaction: I like this book, it give understanding to the difficulties children can have when they do not understand, not just due to the language spoken, but also due to developmental disabilities.

Extension: This is a good project book for English/Spanish learning words and also for the process of the cocoon/butterfly. It is a great way for children to get an understanding of how hard it can be for someone that can not speak English.

RGG: Beautifully illustrated, sweet story based on Jimenez's childhood. Some imagery, figurative language. Nice pre-cursor to Esperanza Rising, and Jimenez's The Circuit, etc. Reading Level: P.

Francisco is in his first year of school in America and can’t understand English. This is the story of how he struggles to learn English. During the year he is drawn to a caterpillar in a jar that he begins to watch. Just like the caterpillar who will turn into a Butterfly, Francisco too is changing. A wonderful look at how an ESL student’s struggle as he learns a new language. Grades 2-3

La Mariposa by Francisco Jimenez, is about a small boy named Francisco who is headed to his first day of school. Francisco does not know English and in school that is the only way of communicating or he'll get in to trouble if he starts speaking in first first language which is Spanish. Francisco gets in trouble a few times because he doesn't pay attention to the teacher because he doesn't understand her, so he day dreams most of the time because his head hurts from trying to understand what she is trying to say. Many children in school do not accept him because everyone else speaks English except his friend, Arthur. Later on his friend, Arthur avoids Francisco because he doesn't want to get in trouble from speaking Spanish. The story shows transformations in where bicultural and bilingual differences in a child can be accepted by others. There are many difficult circumstances that go through the life of someone that has a limit in communication and acceptance from others, but his story shows how it is accepted and can be accepted because differences make us unique. Those differences make us who we are in the form that we are not that different. Jimenez shows the importance of transformation and acceptance throughout a child's life and how there are many that can go through this. The book is a good book to have in any grade level because it shows the benefit that either kindergarten through any grade, but especially the elementary level students can learn from real life experiences. Elementary is a good level to start showing children the importance that we are all equal, in a unique way.

Illustrations, done by Simon Silva show the richness in colors of the culture. Brown, orange, and other colors are portrayed together and show a vivid picture of how the fields look like when a person awakes in the morning. The colors of the sun coming out and going in show the relation of reality.

Summary - A touching tale of a young boys experience in a new school where no one speaks his language.
Critique - This book is a great example of realistic fiction because many children arrive at new schools in a new country.
Genre - Realistic fiction
Media - Acrylics
Characterization - Francisco is a round character because we feel his saddness in not being able to communicate with his fellow students. ( )

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