Citation:
Soto, Gary. 1992. The Skirt. Ill. by Eric Velasquez. New York:
Delacorte.
ISBN 9780440409243
Summary:
Miata
Ramirez is constantly loosing things. When she leaves her folklórico skirt on the bus Friday afternoon, she is sure to
disappoint her parents who are eagerly awaiting her folklórico dance in the skirt. She recruits her best friend, Ana,
to help her retrieve the skirt from the bus before her performance on Sunday.
Critical Analysis:
Gary Soto’s novel The Skirt is a quick, enjoyable read that showcases a number of
Latino traditions, while blending American culture subtly throughout. Miata
Ramirez and her family are Mexican American and Soto effortlessly incorporates
the Spanish language, traditional Hispanic foods (frijoles and papas fritas),
and the Latin American tradition of folkloric dance or folklórico from beginning to end. Miata’s interactions with her
family are thoughtful. The Spanish language is used often between them and
readers can easily interpret meaning to unknown Spanish words using basic inferencing
skills. Eric Velasquez lends a handful of pencil illustrations that are
somewhat bland; however the drawings do portray accurate Latino characters. Soto’s
story is an authentic and thoughtful portrayal of a modern Mexican American
family able to embrace American life while continuing to honor their own
heritage and customs.
Review Excerpt(s):
“A good beginning chapter book, this uses
simple words without sounding too simplistic.”
~ Booklist, October 1992
“Miata's family and
friends are typical without becoming stereotypical, offering readers a cast and
situation with which to identify, whatever their own ethnic origins.” ~ The
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, October 1992
Connections:
Soto, Gary. 1990. Baseball in April and Other Stories. San Diego:
Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.
ISBN 9780152025670
Soto, Gary. 1993. Too Many Tamales. Ill. by Ed Martinez. New York:
Putnam. ISBN 9780698114128
Classroom Activities: Since Gary Soto’s The Skirt is a novel with no color pictures, explore some websites
with traditional folklórico dress. YouTube
also has some great performances to share!
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