What do you really know about how coffee is grown and made, especially organic and free-trade? This Julia Alvarez book with wonderful woodcuts by Belkis Ramirez tells the story.Joe, a lonely teacher in Nebraska, takes a vacation in the Dominican Republic, and his life changes for the better. He becomes a farmer again, helps the natives increase their holdings, and teaches them to read.
They, in turn, show him that life can be interesting again.
This book can be read by young people wanting to find out volunteer work and fair trade. Adults learn more about how local issues elsewhere can be changed far away and the effects of agribusiness on local economies.
The only fault that I find is that there is no glossary for some of the Spanish phrases. Some words are paraphrased in English, but some aren't. I don't know the meanings of some of the words, because they are Spanish spoken by Dominicans; I know more South American Spanish and some Central American, so I need to do some research.
I am recommending this book for the One Book, One New Orleans project. Hope it wins!
Don't miss out on this book!
5 comments:
I had no idea she has a new book out. I've not read anything by Julia Alvarez for a while. I'll have to see if my library is getting this!
This book is not recent. It was published in 2001 by Chelsea Green Publishing http://www.chelseagreen.com/
Alverez was bit ahead of her time. People didn't think too much about fair trade products then.
Her latest books seem to To Save the World and Once Upon a Quincean~era: Coming of Age in the USA
I was just about to say the same thing as Danielle. This sounds great and I'm actually surprised it's not being reissued or at least propped up more prominently in the bookstores given that eco stuff is the thing nowadays. I want to read this - the story sounds interesting and I want to see those woodcuts. Those look great! :)
Chelsea seems to be a smaller press; maybe their budget doesn't allow its books to be splashed everywhere.
Hey, maybe the three of us can make others aware of this great book!
And Chelsea can have more publicity
Hola! Gracias por el ánimo. Acabo de echar un vistazo a su blog, muy interesante. El libro es una cosa que debe estar apreciado! Este libro parece precioso, soy grabadora de ésta técnica tambien y me alegro que haya publicaciones con ella. Hasta pronto! keep in touch.
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