Becoming Naomi León

by Pam Munoz Ryan (Author)

Becoming Naomi León
Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade
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A Pura Belpré Honor Book

"Engrossing." --New York Times

Naomi Soledad León Outlaw has had a lot to contend with in her young life, her name for one. Then there are her clothes (sewn in polyester by Gram), her difficulty speaking up, and her status at school as "nobody special." But according to Gram's self-prophecies, most problems can be overcome with positive thinking. Luckily, Naomi also has her carving to strengthen her spirit. And life with Gram and her little brother, Owen, is happy and peaceful. That is, until their mother reappears for the first time in seven years, stirring up all sorts of questions and challenging Naomi to discover who she really is.
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Publishers Weekly

Fifth-grader Naomi's great-grandmother has been a loving guardian for Naomi and her brother since their mother abandoned them seven years before; now she has suddenly reappeared. In a starred review, "PW" called this "a tender tale about family love and loyalty." Ages 8-12. "(Dec.)" Copyright 2006 Publishers Weekly Used with permission.

Review quotes

Awards and Praise for Becoming Naomi León
A Pura Belpré Honor Book
Americas Award, Commended
Schneider Family Book Award Winner
Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award Winner
Book Sense Book of the Year Award Honor Book
"Engrossing." — The New York Times

"Ryan's sure-handed storytelling and affection for her characters convey a clear sense of Naomi's triumph, as she becomes "who I was meant to be." Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"Once again, Ryan crystallizes the essence of settings and characters through potent, economic prose... a tender tale about family love and loyalty." Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Exciting...heartbreaking." — Booklist
"[Becoming Naomi León] has its own uniquely affecting emotional core." — The Horn Book
"Ryan has written a moving book about family dynamics. While she explores the youngsters' Mexican heritage and gives a vivid picture of life in and the art of Oaxaca, her story is universal, showing the strong bonds and love that make up an extended family. All of the characters are well drawn, and readers will share Naomi's fear until the judge makes the final decision about her future." — School Library Journal
"Symbols abound, and readers of all ages will enjoy reading of Naomi's transformation and triumph." — VOYA
Pam Munoz Ryan
Pam Muñoz Ryan is the recipient of the Newbery Honor Medal and the Kirkus Prize for her New York Times bestselling novel, Echo, as well as the NEA's Human and Civil Rights Award and the Virginia Hamilton Literary Award for multicultural literature for her body of work. Her celebrated novels, Echo, Esperanza Rising, The Dreamer, Riding Freedom, Becoming Naomi Léon, and Paint the Wind, have received countless accolades, among them two Pura Belpré Awards, a NAPPA Gold Award, a Jane Addams Children's Book Award, and two Américas Awards. Her acclaimed picture books include Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride and When Marian Sang, both illustrated by Brian Selznick, and Tony Baloney, illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham, as well as a beginning reader series featuring Tony Baloney. Ryan lives near San Diego, California, with her family.
Brian Selznick's books have sold millions of copies, garnered countless awards worldwide, and been translated into more than 35 languages. He broke open the novel form with his innovative and genre-defying thematic trilogy, beginning with the Caldecott Medal-winning #1 New York Times bestseller The Invention of Hugo Cabret, adapted into Martin Scorsese's Oscar-winning movie Hugo. He followed that with the #1 New York Times bestseller, Wonderstruck, adapted into the eponymous movie by celebrated filmmaker Todd Haynes, with a screenplay by Selznick, and the New York Times bestseller, The Marvels. Selznick's two most recent books for young people, Baby Monkey, Private Eye, an ALA Notable Book co-written with his husband David Serlin, and Kaleidoscope, a New York Times Notable Children's Book of 2021, were both New York Times bestsellers as well. He also illustrated the 20th anniversary edition covers of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. Selznick and Serlin divide their time between Brooklyn, New York and La Jolla, California. Learn more at thebrianselznick.com and mediaroom.scholastic.com/brianselznick.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780439269971
Lexile Measure
830
Guided Reading Level
V
Publisher
Ascendance
Publication date
October 20, 2005
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV013030 - Juvenile Fiction | Family | Multigenerational
JUV039000 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | General
Library of Congress categories
-
Sunshine State Young Reader's Award
Nominee 2007 - 2007
Maud Hart Lovelace Book Award
Nominee 2007 - 2007
Nevada Young Readers' Award
Nominee 2008 - 2008
North Carolina Children's Book Award
Nominee 2007 - 2007

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