Tomatoes in My Lunchbox

by Costantia Manoli (Author) Magdalena Mora (Illustrator)

Tomatoes in My Lunchbox
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

A moving picture book from a debut author about the first day of school, layered with themes about the immigrant experience and the universal experience of feeling out of place.

A child, newly arrived in another country, feels displaced, lonely, and a little scared on her first day of school. Her name doesn't sound the way she's used to hearing it. She knows she doesn't fit in. And when she eats her whole tomato for lunch, she can feel her classmates observing her--and not quite understanding her. But sometimes all it takes is one friend, one connection, to bring two worlds together, and gradually the girl, her tomato, and her full name, start to feel at home with her new friends and community.

This emotionally sweeping debut picture book by Costantia Manoli, with vibrant art by Magdalena Mora, artfully captures feelings of displacement and the joy that comes from forging new friendships.

Select format:
Hardcover
$18.99

Kirkus Reviews

Starred Review
[A] beautifully told and illustrated story that expresses, with sensitivity and inspired use of figurative language, a child's attempt to fit with the dominant culture--a common experience that will resonate with many readers and inspire empathy in others.

Booklist

An expressive picture book that articulates a young immigrant's viewpoint. 

Hornbook

A comforting book for a child who may feel isolated due to an uncommon name, or for one feeling uprooted and adrift in a new place.

Review quotes



Costantia Manoli

Costantia Manoli was born in the United Kingdom to Cypriot parents and spent the picture book period of her life in London contending with a name that even she has difficulty pronouncing in English! After spending her middle grade and young adult years in Cyprus, the USA and the UK (and then back round again), she now lives amid almond and olive trees on the outskirts of a hot, dusty village in Cyprus. Her two daughters, hubby, lioness-dog Luna and hyperactive doggo Woody keep her busy in a tangle of story ideas, new characters and constant interruptions.

Magdalena Mora is a Minneapolis-based illustrator and graphic designer with a special interest in children's books and visual storytelling. She has also illustrated Deborah Diesen's Equality's Call. When not drawing, she spends her free time reading, people-gawking, and trying to find the best tacos in the Twin Cities. Mostly the latter.

Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781250763129
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Roaring Brook Press
Publication date
June 20, 2022
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV039060 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Friendship
JUV039090 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | New Experience
JUV035000 - Juvenile Fiction | School & Education
JUV039250 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Emigration & Immigration
Library of Congress categories
Friendship
Immigrants
Picture books
Schools
First day of school

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