Maria Lopez Twena

School Crossing Maria Lopez Twena

School Crossing, from the MariVi Master Navigator series, is a children's book for primary school kids. The series centers around a bilingual/bicultural, U. S. born Latina, MariVi, who lives with her Hispanic family in an American neighborhood. The book explores the authentic experiences and challenges faced by bilingual/bicultural children of immigrants as they enter school and navigate life in the U. S. for their foreign-born relatives. The distinct languages are obvious, the conflicting cultures (collectivist vs. self-reliant), are less so. MariVi's experiences mirror that of many bicultural children and will help others like her navigate their childhood. MariVi will also appeal to all children who have felt as an outsider at some point in their lives.'How refreshing and welcome is the arrival of MariVi. Indeed she will help many like her navigate their way into kinship, connection, and a fuller, more expansive sense of community. Bravo!'Gregory BoyleFounder, HomeBoy IndustriesAuthor of the NY Times Bestseller, Tattoos on the Heart; and, Barking to the Choir