Waiting for Papa / Esperando a Papa
by Rene Colato Lainez; illustrations by Anthony Accardo
Eight-year-old Beto is an immigrant Everyboy, tempest toss'd onto our shores after civil war and a fire rob his Salvadoran parents of jobs and a home. But his papa doesn't get a visa, and must remain behind while Beto's mama works in a sweatshop and Beto dreams of a reunion.
Hard work and hope keep this family going until Beto gets his wish, and therein lies a message that transcends the story no matter how many times and in how many ways it's told. Lainez avoids politically correct sandtraps to make clear that Beto's suffering isn't just a Latino thing, and therefore his hard-earned triumph is one we can all share.
Note: bilingual
Rating: *\*\*\
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