In English, of Course

Set in the Bronx during the 1950s, when postwar immigrant children were placed in their first American classrooms, this delightful story tells of the riotous linguistic misunderstandings of Josephine's first day of school. The daughter of savvy Italian engineers, Josephine has lived in the city long enough to have learned a few words in English, but is overcome when her teacher makes her stand up in front of the class and tell about her life in Italy--in English, of course. The result is a charming tale of adventures and multicultural miscommunications as Josephine attempts to make herself understood. Children will come to understand that sometimes people underestimate the talent and dignity of newcomers to the United States and will embark on a poignant journey as Josephine tells her incredible story the best way she knows how and attempts to understand her English-speaking teacher and classmates.


Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Gingerbread House
Published: 01/01/2003
ISBN: 9780940112087
Pages: 32
Weight: 0.55lbs
Size: 9.01h x 12.08w x 0.35d
Award: Independent Publisher Book Awards - Finalist

Review Citations: Kirkus Review - Children 12/01/2002 pg. 1771
School Library Journal 02/01/2003 pg. 118
Booklist 02/15/2003 pg. 1070
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2002 pg. 47 - Marginal, Seriously Flawed
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2003 pg. 47 - Marginal, Seriously Flawed

Accelerated Reader Quiz #/Name: 65697 / In English, of Course
Reading Level: 3 / Interest Level: Lower Grade / Point Value: 0.5