How Tia Lola Came to (Visit) Stay

When Miguel's crazy Tia Lola comes to visit from the Dominican Republic, he instantly knows that his life is never going to be the same. As Miguel struggles with his parents' divorce and his recent move to rural Vermont from New York City, he is not sure that he needs the wacky presence of his unusual Spanish-speaking aunt added to the chaos in his life. However, he soon realizes that his flamboyant and colorful aunt is just what he needs to spice up his life and bring his family together. How Tia Lola Came to Stay is an uplifting and funny story that upper elementary students will enjoy. Through Julia Alvarez's beautiful descriptions of Tia Lola's exotic cooking, lively music, and vibrant storytelling the reader will be captivated and entertained while learning about Caribbean culture. Possible discussion themes include: family, divorce, tolerance, culture and immigration. This funny and smart book will make a great addition to any classroom library.

There is always someone in our family that stands out. There is also someone that's an influence.

In HOW TIA LOLA CAME TO STAY, Miguel and his sister Juanita are facing the twin terrors of their parents' divorce and the move from New York City to a new home in Vermont. They don?t expect anything but more hurt feelings and complications when their Tia (?aunt? in Spanish) Lola comes to ?visit" them in Vermont. Miguel quickly realizes that his Spanish heritage is unique (to say the least) in Vermont and he wants desperately to fit in. The appearance of Tia Lola in her bright lipstick, colorful dresses, mysteriously shifting beauty mark and enormous displays of affection embarrass Miguel. He becomes fearful that this ?difference? in his household will prevent him from making the friends that would make life a little easier. There is a surprise in store; Tia Lola is far from being a liability in the lives of Miguel, Juanita and their Mami (?Mom? in Spanish). Tia Lola is sensitive to the needs of everyone and while she speaks literally no English (at first!) she understands what she can do to ease the pain of the divorce. The funniest part of the book is when Alvarez hilariously, but without mocking, Alvarez writes about Tia Lola's attempts to learn English. Miguel meets her halfway by speaking ?Spanglish?, which is what his mother calls his own brand of language, blending English with Spanish. Communication is the beginning of all understanding and this is where the story starts to take a turn. Tia Lola truly begins to be part of the family when she accompanies Miguel and Juanita on a trip to New York City to visit with their much-missed and beloved father. Though they temporarily lose Tia Lola in the big city due to her insatiable curiosity, the kids realize what her presence in their lives has come to mean to them. The book ends in a warm way, exemplifying Alvarez?s desire to write a triumphant tale about the importance of knowing who you are, family ties, and the ability to make it through when it looks like the odds are stacked against you. She even includes a page entitled ? A Word About the Spanish? for non-fluent readers. And she provides a key to the special slang and pronounciation of the Dominican Republic, her homeland. She is a sensitive writer who cares for her characters as well as her readers! (...)

I borrowed this book from the library to read to my seven year old for cultural reasons. We were chuckling by Chapter 2 and rolling with laughter by Chapter 4. By the time we finished it, I had ordered two copies, one for me as teach and parent, the other as a Christmas gift for an 11 year old.The book deals with divorce, moving from city to country, younger siblings, being culturally and ethnically different with tears, frustration and laughter.What impressed me most was the author's ability to paint vibrant pictures in our minds. I taught five week Literacy Workshop unit to 2nd graders (just as appropriate for older students) introducing "mind pictures" or visual images that an excellent author creates with words. The students writing, and awareness in reading, changed dramatically using this book. It was universally loved by the class.

Tia Lola has just arrived from the Dominican Republic with her bright dresses and odd habits, and Miguel is not so certain her odd ways are attractive or acceptable. Her habits make him stand out from his Vermont classmates and as hard as Miguel tries, he can't keep her hidden from his new friends. Her odd habits change his life in this moving multicultural story.