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Under the Mesquite by Guadalupe Garcia McCall

11/29/2012

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This book review was submitted by student Wendy Perez.

“Under the Mesquite” by Guadalupe Garcia McCall is about a girl named Lupita and her journey across the border with her family. In the Unites States, her mother plants a rose garden but in the middle of the rose garden a mesquite tree starts growing. No matter how many times her mother takes the mesquite tree out of the rose garden, it will always grow back frustrating the mother because of how horrible it looked in the middle of the rose garden. Instead, the family chooses to look at the mesquite tree as a symbol of strength and beauty.

When Lupita comes of age, she struggles with responsibilities of helping taking care of her family when her mother is diagnosed with cancer at the same time making her dreams a reality
  which is to become an actress. It takes a big toll on the family and changes Lupita’s way of living. The news of her mother having cancer soon spreads like wild fire and Lupita puts a mask on in front of everyone and pretends that everything is fine; her only escape is acting in plays by pouring every emotion she has felt into the delivery of those lines.

I loved this book. My favorite part out of the whole book is when she is in drama class and she has to suck on some Blow Pops that her teacher, Mr. Cortez, gives her to get rid of her accent if she wants to become an actress. With the Blow Pops in her mouth, she asks “I have an accent?” and they both crack up because of how funny she sounded.

I recommend this book to everyone. It was beautifully written like a poem and tells a story that people don’t read too often in books.


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Under the Mesquite

11/29/2012

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This review was submitted by student Olivia Salazar.

The story is about the life of a girl who learns to live though the changes that are occurring to her. She is the oldest child in her family, so the story tells how her life turned around at the time her mother is diagnosed with cancer.

I can sort of relate to the main character because I know what it feels like to lose someone from cancer, and I also know what it feels like to have to take on many responsibilities with a younger sibling when your parents cannot.

I really enjoyed this story. I enjoyed how the author told her story. The way this story was told was new to me. I wouldn’t change any part of this story because the author told her story about her life in an order that was easy to understand. I really liked how the author was determined to do what she wanted to no matter what happen to her.

I would recommend this story to any who would like to read a loving story about family.


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Under the Mesquite

11/29/2012

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This original poem was submitted by student Marlyn Serna.

Obituaries

 April 30, 2012 was a time of despair and grief
It started as a sunny clear Monday afternoon
All of me was laughing with joy
I was in my third block enjoying jokes
Then we moved to fourth block, still happy
Then that is when my aunt came to pick me up
We went all the way to Las Milpas where my grandma lives
I see my mom looking serious and looking at me
That is when I found out that my favorite grandpa died
After that it was nothing but grief I grab the newspaper
I go to Obituaries and see my grandpa and I said 
“Good bye”


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Under the Mesquite

11/29/2012

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This review was written by student Marie Vallangca...

It is a story about a teenager that lost her mom and copes to live normally again. Lupita is from Mexican heritage, they moved from Mexico to live in the United States for a better life. She lived in the U.S all of her life, but she still sees Mexico as her home. Lupita is very close to her mom,
through sun and rain they are together. She has 7 siblings and she is the oldest with two brothers and five sisters. Her mother turns ill because of cancer, they do everything to help her to be better, even use the savings for the future of the children. They whole family struggles as their mom go through chemotherapy but even with all the obstacles they faced, the family still suffered from the loss of their mom. Lupita expressed her feelings through writing poem under the mesquite tree. Until she realized and accepted that she needs to move on because that’s what her mom would wanted her to do. She dreams to go to New York and be in Broadway and perform in stage for everyone.

I admire the bravery and strength of Lupita. She has a way of expressing what she feels, I don’t have anything. If the same situation happens to me, I don’t know if I could cope and go on with my normal routine. My mom is very special to me and I love her very much. She is the reason why I am here. She pushes me to do my best, and she’s always there to protect and comfort me. Even though I didn’t go through what Lupita went through I felt what she was feeling. Every one with a mother will understand what she is going through especially those who have lost theirs. Just imagining my mom gone from me made me feel maybe a close feeling of what she felt.

This book made me cry and made me realize how important family is; family is all we have when we go through something tough. Even though there might be arguments the love for each other is stronger. I loved every bit of the book, but I wouldn’t read it again because of what it made me feel. It is a very touching story, a story that touches the people in their hearts just like it touched mine. The whole story is amazing but if I could change the ending I would want something happier and the total opposite but the purpose of this book is to show people what it really is in real life and happy ending doesn’t always
happen in real life.

I recommend this book to everyone mostly teenagers to read. They are mostly the ones who will relate the story since the story is narrated by a teenager. They understand how each other feels. People who likes to read realistic fiction will love this book. Read it and enjoy like I did.


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Under the Mesquite

11/29/2012

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This original poem was submitted by freshman student Maria Rodriguez.

Great Mama

I walk into great mama’s
room; I inch closer to her
and shake her gently
whispering in her ear. Her
eyes are shut closed and 
                                  her body is cold. My body
                                  tenses. I call her name
                                  over and over waiting for 
                                    her to reply. I feel warm
                                      salty tears fall. I can’t 
                                     breathe.  A pair of giant
                                    hands pulls me back. I fall
                                  to the ground, my body
                                  shaking with emotion. I
                                    feel Cousin Carlos arms
                                   wrap around me. I cry as
                                  her body is pulled into the 
                                   ground leaving an empty
    hole inside of me.





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Under the Mesquite by Guadalupe Garcia McCall

11/29/2012

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This review was submitted by student Kerri Aguilar.

This story is about a young girl who finds herself having to take on more responsibility when she finds out that her mother has cancer. The main character is Lupita and she tries to help out the family and especially her mom in any way. I really like the Lupitas mom a lot because she sounded kind and
caring even with the illness she had.

I could kind of relate to Lupita in like having to take on responsibility for siblings.

I did like the book because it related to real things and was very emotional. My favorite part was the ice cream truck breaking down and the kids getting all the ice they could get and taking it home.

I would recommend this book to people who like to read about realistic and true stories that are also found of reading poetry.


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 Under the Mesquite by Guadalupe Garcia McCall

11/29/2012

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This original poem and review was submitted by student E.B.

I’m sitting here
thinking alone,
and scared of the future,
under this tall and strong
mesquite.
When I realize
I have nothing to worry about
And that I’m being
melodramatic
But that’s my self.
                                             I touch the mesquite’s skin
                                            And it’s hard and scratchy
                                            I raise my head to see 
                                           The mesquite and I think
                                           “I want to be like this mesquite
                                           Tall and strong,
                                           And fight against whatever
                                           Strong and devastating
                                           Wind that wants to make me
                                           Fall down.”  
                                           I’m now more confident
                                           I feel like that mesquite.
                                           And feel like if the wind wantsTo fight…
                                           he can come,
                                           Because I’m going to send him back
                                           To his home.

This book is really awesome and interesting. This book is about Lupita, the protagonist, and her life from when she was a child to when she goes to college. This story talks about the importance of the family, and sceneries that people pass through life. Lupita is very strong and keeps being strong until her mother died. She talks about how things used to be when she was a child and before her mother was detected with cancer, and how she kept strong because she was the oldest one and she feel like she would have to take care of her siblings. I like this type of protagonist because they are strong. And this
book really makes me think about life, that it’s really hard, but it doesn’t matter what bad and evil things happen because you have to keep strong. I think
now, that I’m lucky and have a great life. I like the end, how she realized she
has to keep going, and get out of the depression.




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Under the Mesquite by Guadalupe Garcia McCall

11/29/2012

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This review was submitted by student Diana Ortiz...

In the story the narrator, Lupita, was raised in two countries. She was originally born in in Mexico but was later transferred to the USA. At first she wasn’t very thrilled but after a while she learned to adapt and call the U.S a home. Her life is pretty good for quite some time.  She was able to make friends and had gotten used to her new life. However when she was 14, her mother was diagnosed with cancer. Lupita’s life was shaken up but she was able to get over the situation when her mother was cleared for her illness.

Throughout the story, her mother was diagnosed again and this time, she was not able to survive the fight. Lupita was heartbroken and she mourned for her mother. It seemed as if her world was over and there was no point on
living with her life. She was able to move on with her life after struggling for months, but she will never forgot her mami.

This story had a very strong impact on me because I have personally been through pretty much everything she went through. When I was young, I left my entire family in San Luis to come live in the U.S. Like the narrator said in the book the experiences were very different. The yards here were more tamed than they were in Mexico. Life here seemed so boring to me but I was able to get used it. I made friends and was able to call this country a home. Although I do miss my family and my home country, I enjoy living here.

Lupita’s experience is also similar to mine because cancer has also touched my world. Unlike her though, my aunt was a victim. She fought cancer for many harsh and rough years. She was defeated three years ago because she was too weak to
keep going. My family and I miss her so much that until now there are some times that we cry for her. 

Under the Mesquite was probably a very unique book unlike any other romantic, comedy, or action book. It has left quite a big impact in me that I wasn’t able to put it down until I finished it. The entire story captivated my attention and made me feel so attached. However if I had to pick a favorite scene, I would say that it would be when Lupita and her mother had their special moments. Those scenes really showed us their bonds and, being the eldest of three, I can relate to this bond as well. My mother is the most precious person in my life. She makes me feel protected and loved. My father is also a very important person for me. My siblings keep me on my toes and add a little spice in my life. Without them, I’d be alone.

I would definitely recommend this book. In my opinion, people who are overcoming issues like Lupita should read this book. It teaches a good moral lesson of overcoming difficult times. I know for a fact that this book will affect others, as it has with me. It is not easy for me to be mentally affected by a book and this one has done just that. I LOVE IT! 



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Under the Mesquite

11/29/2012

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This review was written by 11th grade student Christian Lozano...

The story was about Lupita and how her family coped with her mother’s cancer. The story is told in chronological order and starts from when Lupita is a child until her first days at college. The main conflict Lupita faced was coping with her mom’s terminal illness. Other problems of Lupita’s were the out casting of her friends when she decided to lose her accent and join drama.

I can relate to the whole family because I’ve had family members that have had cancer. It’s not really something that anyone can easily cope with because there’s always that one chance of it coming back to haunt you again.

In my opinion I enjoyed the book because it was relatable to some things that I’ve gone through. My favorite part of the book was when Lupita got her firs place trophy because she made her parents proud and tried her best. That’s also my favorite part because my parents taught me to always try my best and even if I don’t succeed, they’ll still be proud of me.

I would recommend this book to another person. Just like when I finished reading it I told my mom about it and she started to read it. Anybody that likes a poetry style of writing would enjoy this book.


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Under the Mesquite by Guadalupe Garcia McCall

11/29/2012

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This review was written by 9th grade student Cassandra Garcia.

Lupita is part of a big family. They are all very close to each other and all love each other, even if they can’t stand each other at times. Originally they were from Mexico but then they moved “a los Estados Unidos.” During this time period in Lupita’s life, she iwas in high school with her friends, taking drama classes.

When she notices Mami keeping a secret, she decides to find out what it is. She hopes to stop the hushed whispers, the sad smiles, and Mami’s tears. She discovers that Mami has cancer. She decides to help in any way she can. She helps take care of her siblings and at one point, goes begging for food. Mami goes through treatments and is fine, for a while. Then the cancer returns but this time Mami doesn’t survive. Lupita starts to have problems then until Mr. Cortes, her drama teacher, and Papi step in and tell her she has to continue with her life. In order to help her to realize this she goes to visit her family in Mexico where she comes to realize the truth in what they were telling her.

This is a great book. It is short and simple but with feeling. It catches your attention and makes the story come to life. Perfect for those who don’t have a lot of free time but would like to read.


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