# data[].attributes.body
What is the author's purpose or message? Teachers should also ask the question: why did the author choose to write about someone's name? Alma's theme claims that our names, families, and experiences make us who we are: unique, special, and one of a kind. This is a truth that Alma, our main character, realizes as the story progresses. Teachers should use this theme as a driving force for conversation.

# data[].attributes.body
Patient - Alma's father understands why she is curious about her name. Rather than telling her to accept it, he takes the time to explain how significant her name is.

Loving - The illustrations depict an affectionate and loving father who wants his daughter to understand how special she is. At the end of the book, he emphasizes that he picked her name, Alma, just for her. She is the first Alma and she will make her own story.

# data[].attributes.body
Alma's name is not the only thing that makes her unique. As she learns about her family, she realizes she has many things in common with them. She enjoys reading and being creative. She stands up for what is right and she desires to explore the world.

This text offers students and teachers an opportunity to discuss what makes us unique. After hearing the stories of Alma's ancestors, the author begs the question: what will our story be?

# data[].attributes.body
Randolph Caldecott Medal - 2019

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
"Alma and How She Got Her Name" by Juana Martinez Neal (read by Sen. Laura Sturgeon, 4th District)

# data[].attributes.body
Text-to-Self Connections
Alma provides students with an opportunity to reflect on their own name and heritage. Students who are names after another person, or have long significant names like Alma, may feel connected to her curiosity.

Text-to-World Connections
Students may identify many cultural references and traditions in this book that reflect what they already know about the Latin American culture.

Text-to-Text Connections
Students can make connections between Alma and other characters from alternative diverse texts.

# data[].attributes.body
Curious - Alma is a very curious girl. In the beginning, she questions why her name is so long. She is eager to hear the story of those who came before her. She also expresses her desire to travel the world like her great-grandmother, Esperanza.

Proud - Alma is proud of who she is and her name. As her father tells her about her family members, she embraces it with pride. In the end, she says, "That's my name, and it fits me just right! I am Alma, and I have a story to tell."

# data[].attributes.body
Alma Sofia Esperanza Jose Pura Candela feels as though her name is too long. She says it doesn't fit on the paper when she writes it and she doesn't understand why it is so long. So, her father tells her the stories of the family members who lived before her. Named after her grandparents, her great-grandmother, and great-aunt, Alma's name reflects her ancestry. Alma, however, is the first Alma. Finally, Alma embraces her name with the understanding that she, too, will make her own story.

Themes
Embrace what makes you unique.
Our family is a part of who we are.
Dare to "write" your own story of who you are.

The author asks, "What is the story of your name? What story would you like to tell?"

# data[].attributes.headline
Culturally Relevant Teaching Through Multicultural Texts

# data[].attributes.subject
Culturally Relevant Teaching Through Multicultural Texts

# data[].attributes.body
Latin American students may connect with this text, as it provides beautiful representation. Written by Juana Martinez-Neal, who grew up in Lima, Peru, the story reflects her own feelings towards her name, which she once felt was "old-fashioned, harsh, ugly, and way-too-Spanish."
Additionally, cultural references are woven into this book, including spiritual practices and small illustrations depicting Peruvian culture. For our students who are not apart of the Latin American community, this text provides a window into the culture as it depicts important traditions.

# data[].attributes.body
Author of Alma