They Call Me Guero: A Border Kid’s Poems, by David Bowles. This book of bilingual border town poems for intermediate readers is sure to inspire. Written from the perspective of a seventh-grade boy who writes poems to solve life’s problems, or at least alleviate his adolescent troubles. Guero has pale skin and freckles but he is just as Mexican as “you or you or you.” The poems capture life living on the Rio Grande, with one foot in each culture, by a boy with a unique look and a unique way with words. Each poem is bilingual and proud, and shares with others the experience of living in two worlds at once, a borderland home. Teased at school, Guero fights with words not fists. Thankfully, his teacher makes poetry feel cool, and in turn, allows the reader to imagine and feel the possibilities of rising out of personal troubles by expressing yourself through language. The book has a glossary of Spanish terms and slang that describe moments of hybrid culture and fellowship. A tamalada is a gathering to make tamales while having conversation. Intermediate readers will love the chutzpah of the author as he raps his rhymes and expresses his world in poems.

This is a collection of poems that tell the story of a border kid of Mexican heritage. It is full of cultural references and vibrant in language. I really loved that most of the translations were in the back rather than in the text. Since I know some Spanish, this allowed me to really enjoy the flow of the poetry without pauses for in-text translation. I touched on elements of poverty and prejudice and the bonds of friendship and a close, loving family.

Summary: a book full of poetries from the perspective of a boy that grew up on of the border. He was called Guero because he looked different from everyone else, his complexion and hair. Through his poems he revealed his emotions and his connection with his family.

A lovely bucolic portrait of rural Tex-Mex life. It brought back good memories of trips there, without glossing over the struggles of the area. ( )

I really enjoyed the variety of poems exhibited in this book. I think that it sends out a wonderful message to its young readers that creative writing is an outlet for those who are faced with a lot. ( )