School Library Journal Review
Gr 1-3-Libby and her Great Aunt Lobo are learning the Pledge of Allegiance at the same time-but for different reasons. Lobo is practicing it in order to become a citizen of the United States. She is proud of her Mexican heritage but is also grateful to be in America. In school, Libby has been chosen to lead her class in saying the pledge. Lobo and Libby decide to practice together at home and talk about what it means to both of them. The pencil and digitally painted illustrations have a watercolor softness that shows the deep warmth and closeness between niece and aunt. The characters are endearing, rendered primarily in shades of blue. The story will help young children become more thoughtful about this common daily recitation. Sprinkled with Spanish words, this gentle book explores what it means to be an American from the perspective of both a child and new citizen.-Diane McCabe, John Muir Elementary, Santa Monica, CA (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Drawing from family history, Mora (The Beautiful Lady) and her daughter Martinez tell the story of a girl named Libby, whose 80-year-old Mexican-born great-aunt, Lobo, becomes a U.S. citizen. Libby proudly announces to her class that Lobo passed her citizenship test and will soon recite the Pledge of Allegiance at her swearing-in ceremony. Since Libby's class is also learning the pledge, her teacher offers a bit of background information, noting that its author, Francis Bellamy, "hoped that girls and boys would promise to be good citizens." Libby and Lolo practice the pledge together, and Lolo offers a poetic response to Libby's question about why she wants to become a citizen; after she arrived in the U.S. as a child, "the American flag-red, white, and blue-wrapped itself around me to protect me." Barton's (The Invisible Boy) digitally painted pencil sketches have a soft, smudgy quality with a pink-and-pale-blue palette that echoes the colors of the American flag. Spanish words appear occasionally, in keeping with the melting-pot theme, and Barton's art easily conveys Libby and Lobo's loving rapport. Ages 3-7. (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.