IN THE SHADE OF THE NISPERO TREE
(ORCHARD BOOKS, 1999)
Recognitions:
A Smithsonian Notable Book of the Year
Capitol Choice
Oregon Book Award Finalist
A Child Study Children’s Book Committee’s Children’s Book of the Year.
National Reviews:
“A girl’s dawning understanding of the racial prejudice in her society – and its magnetic pull on her – is the subject of this thoughtful novel set in the 1960s Puerto Rico ... Bernier-Grand’s portrait of Teresa, caught between her parents’ polarized views, is especially well realized.” Publisher’s Weekly.
Una excelente novela dirigida mayormente a un público infantil. Teresa, quien está en el cuarto grado de una escuela púbica en Ponce, se cambia a una escuela privada para complacer a su mamá, quien quiere que pertenezca a la alta sociedad de la ciudad. Lo que suceda cuando se trata de olvidar los viejos amigos y hacer otros nuevos comforma el cuerpo de esta narración muy bien estructurada y ambientada. Se trata de un novela que puede mantener interesado a un público juvenil. Se debería de traducir al español lo antes posible.“ El Nuevo Día
“The vivid images of Puerto Rican life in the early 60s are described through the author’s colorful use of language and storytelling. Readers are exposed to island life and culture which are different, yet so similar, concerning issues of friendship and racism...The cultural aspect of the work is a good introduction into Puerto Rican island life, history and traditions.” Melissa A. Caudill, Children’s Literature.
“This first novel vividly re-create sits particular time and place. It also imparts a very clear message about intolerance... this could spark lively classroom discussions.” Linda Perkins, Booklist.
“Since it is the voice of an older wiser Teresa who tells the tale, readers who have left fourth grade behind will empathize with her confessional memory of past snobbery, now happily laid to rest. Details of school life and carnival preparations keep the action place specific, while the theme of social climbing lends Teresa’s story universal appeal.” The Bulletin of the Center of Children’s Books
“There are strong characterizations here of children and adults, and the immersion into a different culture is thorough and effective.” Susan Oliver, School Library Journal.
“Middle-grade readers will become engrossed in Carmen T. Bernier grand’s In the Shade of the Nispero Tree, a sensitive and honest story of friendship and bigotry in early 1960s Puerto Rico.” The Republic
“The island setting is vividly described.” Horn Book
“Accurately portrayed are such details as the chirping tree frogs, bright red flamboyan trees, and consuming excitement leading to the carnival.” Kirkus Review.
Other Readers’ Reviews:
“Having lived in Venezuela for most of the last 33 years, I have observed many times the social situations you depict. And on our farm here we have 100 níspero trees.” Sally Hefley, Venezuela.
“Bernier-Grand presents the complicated subtleties of race, wealth, and education in Puerto Rico through friendship and rivalries of fourth-grade girls. A well-crafted and educational story.” Andrea Burke, Annie Bloom’s Bookstore, Portland, Oregon
“Níspero takes me deep into the remembered mind of childhood...The way Carmen Bernier-Grand evokes setting – with poetry and music as well as in the traditional ways – is beautiful!” Susan Fletcher, Author, Lake Oswego, Oregon
“The story of one very realized girl and an exploration of the complexity of class and ethnicity.” Cynthia Leitich Smith, Author and Reviewer, Texas
“I loved these girls and their families! They are so real, so human. This is an important book, which tells us important things about ourselves.”
“It’s a lovely book that deals with issues of class and race that are not usually discussed in children’s books.” Rosemary Brosnan, Editor, New York, New York
“A good middle grade that I bought because the author did a school visit here was In the Shade of the Nispero Tree by Carmen Bernier Grand. Has any one read it? I’ve recommended it to a lot of adults.” A writer on the Children’s Writer Internet list
“I wanted to write to tell you I am enjoying your book In the Shade of the Nispero Tree. It is a very good book, and I will suggest it to all teens!” Kerri Barney, Student, Gregory Heights Middle School, Portland, Oregon
“The characters are impressively well portrayed, and there’s much warmth and joy to the novel, as well as an interesting plot and useful theme.” Laura Hornik, Editor, New York, New York.
“We have had some very quality discussions with the older students on the themes from In the Shade of the Nispero Tree.” Connie Hacks, ESL Teacher, Peter Boscow School, Hillsboro, Oregon.
“Terminé el libro [In the Shade of the Nispero Tree]. Fue un viaje al pasado y fue divino remontarme a tantos viejos recuerdos. A la verdad que me había olvidado de muchas palabras, experiencias y gente. Al leer de Maruca y Uvita me pareció que los estaba viendo. Me dio pena que se terminara el libro...” Anadelle Johnson, Friend, Sacramento, California
“You’ve worked with such a large cast of characters, and you’ve handled them clearly and coherently. The book kept me interested the whole way through, teaching me cultural customs at the same time that was teaching me about poor Teresa’s slow and very authentic discovery of fairness and ethics and loyalty.” Virginia Euwer Wolff, Author, Oregon City, Oregon
“I’ve finally read Carmen Bernier-Grand’s In the Shade of the Nispero Tree. The characters are impressively well portrayed, and there’s much warmth and joy to the novel, as well as an interesting plot and useful theme.” A reader from New York
“In the Shade of the Nispero Tree is a lovely book that deals with issues of class and race that are not usually discussed in children’s books.” Reader, Internet
“The waiting list for In the Shade of the Nispero Tree is very long!” Kate MacMillan, Librarian, Ainsworth School, Portland, Oregon
“I read In the Shade of the Nispero Tree, and I thought it was really good.” Katie Gargan, Student, Laurelhurst School, Portland, Oregon
