The Upside Down Boy

Written by Juan Felipe Herrera · Illustrated by Elizabeth Gomez

A boy navigates a new school, feeling upside down in a world of unfamiliarity.

4.1 Goodreads · 156 ratings

32 pages· 1,244 words· Est. 10 min read-aloud· AD560L

$11.95Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

Juanito feels lost in his new school, where everything seems upside down. Struggling with language and routine, he misses his country life. With the help of a caring teacher and his family, Juanito discovers his voice through poetry, art, and music. Can he find his place in this unfamiliar world?

From the publisher

Bilingual English/Spanish. The Upside Down Boy is award-winning poet Juan Felipe Herrera’s engaging memoir of the year his migrant family settled down so that he could go to school for the first time.Juanito is bewildered by the new school, and he misses the warmth of country life. Everything he does feels upside down. He eats lunch when it’s recess; he goes out to play when it’s time for lunch; and his tongue feels like a rock when he tries to speak English. But a sensitive teacher and loving family help him to find his voice and make a place for himself in this new world through poetry, art, and music. Juan Felipe Herrera’s playful language and the colorful, magical art of Elizabeth Gómez capture the universal experience of children entering a new school feeling like strangers in a world that seems upside down-at first.

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