How Tia Lola Learned to Teach by Julia Alvarez

Tia Lola has been asked to teach Spanish at the local elementary school, but she's afraid.  She doesn't speak English well, she never finished fourth grade, and she doesn't know how to teach...

Alfred A Knopf Books for Young Readers has published this book as a hardcover and it is available at your local bookstore now.  (Thanks for my review copy.)

The story is told from the perspective of the nephew and niece, which is a very nice touch.  When Tia Lola hesitates over the teaching job, Miguel and Juanita devise a way to get her to school without her worrying about the job.  After she meets the students, she is willing to give it a try.

Besides teaching anyone reading the story a bit of Spanish, the story line also covers the issues of immigration and divorce.  It's all handled very well by Ms. Alvarez and I enjoyed the story.

This book is for ages 8-12.  It is the second in the series.  And there will be another one published next year.  So check the series out at your local bookstore.  You might want to pick up the first two books in the series now.  Happy reading!