Alive! August 2021

Pat Mora

In January 2019, I began these occasional posts about feeling ALIVE.

My husband Vern, who’s now a retired academic, and I maintained our quiet writing schedule through the pandemic. Family and writing probably helped me stay sane. Thanks to my dear friend Father Murray Bodo, before I go to my desk in the morning, I read for reflection. I ponder. I thank God for my many gifts—family, health, friends, books, ideas. Each of these gifts helps me feel alive. What about you? What helped you working and smiling during the pandemic? I should begin pondering what I learned.

Pat

Pat's Garden Path

Everything a Citizen Should Be

Pat Mora

“Lobo was everything a citizen should be–hardworking, honest, brave, respectful, responsible.”

—-from the Authors’ Note, I Pledge Allegiance, by Pat Mora and Libby Martinez

I Pledge Allegiance by Pat Mora and Libby Martinez

“Libby and her Great Aunt Lobo are learning the Pledge of Allegiance at the same time—but for different reasons. Lobo is practicing it in order to become a citizen of the United States. She is proud of her Mexican heritage but is also grateful to be in America. In school, Libby has been chosen to lead her class in saying the pledge. Lobo and Libby decide to practice together at home and talk about what it means to both of them. The pencil and digitally painted illustrations have a watercolor softness that shows the deep warmth and closeness between niece and aunt. The characters are endearing, rendered primarily in shades of blue. The story will help young children become more thoughtful about this common daily recitation. Sprinkled with Spanish words, this gentle book explores what it means to be an American from the perspective of both a child and new citizen.”—School Library Journal

Now available in Spanish:
Yo Prometo Lealtad

Posted in Pat's books

Summer Reading: Take Time for Poetry

Pat Mora

Studies have shown that for kids, summer reading helps prevent loss of academic skills–but summer is also a time for reading FUN for kids, teens and adults! Consider adding these poetry collections to your summer reading lists:

For Children
Bookjoy, Wordjoy
Words and books can take us on wonderful adventures and bring us joy! This collection celebrates both and inspires creative wordplay.
Bookjoy, Wordjoy by Pat Mora

For Teens
My Own True Name
“Interlaced with Mexican phrases and cultural symbols, these powerful selections, representing more than 15 years of work, address bicultural life and the meaning of family…”—Booklist
My Own True Name

For Adults
Adobe Odes
“Mora weaves a gentle tapestry of poetry that reminds readers to stop rushing and embrace the wonder surrounding them.”—Voice of Youth Advocates
Adobe Odes by Pat Mora

How a March Madness Poetry Tournament Brightened Pat’s Day

Pat Mora

Iowa Seventh Grade Literacy Teacher Steve Vanderhei sent a message that made Pat’s day:

My name is Steve Vanderhei and I am a 7th grade literacy teacher in Marion, Iowa. This year I put together a March Madness Poetry Tournament. It was a success, although it was the first time I did something like this. I have lots of ideas of how to make it even better next year.

I wanted you to know that in my 3rd block your poem ‘Same Song’ won. The championship game was ‘Same Song’ vs. ‘Why Falling in Love is Like Owning a Dog’ by Taylor Mali.
‘Same Song ‘ won 13 to 9.

Some of the other poems that ‘Same Song’ beat along its path to the Block 3 Championship were:
‘The Snow Man’ by Wallace Steven
‘Fire and Ice’ by Robert Frost
‘Sick’ by Shel Silverstein
‘Sonnet 18’ by William Shakespeare

I thought you might like hearing about the success of your poem and that your poem connected with my 7th graders.

Pat is still smiling!

You can find the poem ‘Same Song’ in My Own True Name.
My Own True Name

My Own True Name

Horn Book Special Issue: The Pura Belpré Award at 25

Pat Mora

Horn Book Magazine, May June 2021
Pat has a reminiscence in the Horn Book Magazine’s May/June 2021 issue, a special issue devoted to celebrating 25 years of The Pura Belpré Award. She joins many other Latinx authors and illustrators featured in the issues. If you don’t subscribe, you can read the issue online for free.

The award is named after Pura Belpré, the first Latina librarian at the New York Public Library. Established in 1996, the award is presented annually to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth. It is co-sponsored by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) and the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), divisions of the American Library Association (ALA), and REFORMA, the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking, an ALA affiliate.