Home At Last

By Susan Middleton Elya, Felipe Davalos
Paperback: $11.95

A sympathetic tale of a mother-daughter bond and overcoming adversity, brought to life by the vivid illustrations of Felipe Davalos.

Front cover for Al fin en casa / Home at Last by Susan Middleton Elya and Felipe Davalos
This book is also available in Spanish
Al fin en casa / Home at Last
By Susan Middleton Elya, Felipe Davalos

Description

Ana Patino is adjusting well to her new life in the United States, but her mother is having a difficult time because she doesn’t speak English. When Ana’s baby brother falls ill, Mama tries to get help, but no one can understand her. Now convinced of the need to learn the native language, Mama agrees to take English lessons. As her knowledge of the English language grows, so does her sense of confidence and belonging.

Susan Middleton Elya’s sympathetic tale of a mother-daughter bond and overcoming adversity is brought to life by the vivid illustrations of Felipe Davalos.

About the Creators

Susan Middleton Elya

Susan Middleton Elya is the author of more than twenty-nine popular picture books for children, including Lee & Low's "Say Hola to Spanish" series and Home at Last. She has degrees in Spanish and elementary education, and she taught Spanish for many years. Elya is known for blending English and Spanish to create clever, lively, rhyming stories. A native of Iowa, she now lives in Danville, California. You can visit her online at susanelya.com.

Felipe Davalos

Felipe Davalos is the award-winning illustrator of numerous books for children, including All The Way to Morning, Punia and the King of Sharks: A Hawaiian Folktale, and Secret Stars, winner of the 2000 Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor Award. A native of Mexico, Davalos now lives in Sacramento, California. Home at Last is his first book with Lee & Low.

Awards

  • CCBC Choices

    Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)

  • Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People

    National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS)

Reviews

  • "[T]his highlights a problem many immigrant children must deal with — the inability or unwillingness of a parent to learn English. The sturdy illustrations, handsomely executed in oils, are most successful when depicting the expressions of the characters: fear, pleasure, and eventually, hope."

    - Booklist
  • "A well-told story of triumph and family solidarity."

    - Kirkus Reviews
  • "It's a touching story that speaks to both immigrant and non-immigrant families without guise or pretension."

    - Midwest Book Review

Paperback

  • ISBN 9781584302728
  • Publication Date May 01, 2002
  • Trim Size 8.75 × 8.5 in
  • Weight 0.4375 lbs
  • Page Count 32
  • Hardcover

  • ISBN 9781584300205
  • Publication Date Apr 01, 2013
  • Trim Size N/A
  • Weight 0.4375 lbs
  • Page Count 32
  • Interests

  • Audience Children
  • BISAC Category 1 JUV / Social Themes / Emigration & Immigration
  • BISAC Category 2 JUV / People & Places / United States / Hispanic & Latino
  • BISAC Category 3 JUV / Family / Parents
  • Themes Conflict resolution, Discrimination, Dreams & Aspirations, Education, Families, Fiction, Home, Immigration, Latinx / Latino / Hispanic, Mothers, Overcoming Obstacles, Persistence / Grit, Realistic Fiction, Respect / Citizenship
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 6 - 9
  • Grade Range Grades 1 - 4
  • Guided Reading O
  • ATOS Book Level 3.3
  • DRA 34
  • Interest Level Grades 1 - 4
  • Lexile Code AD
  • Lexile Level 620
  • Reading Level Grades 2 - 3
  • Bebop Reading Fluent
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