Figurative Language 9-12 by Ana Anaya

"Mexikid"

ana_anaya_h — 2025-04-08 18:57:11 UTC

This is a memoir written in English with some words in Spanish by Pedro Martín. Pedro explores his bicultural identity along with the challenges he faced growing up in the United States, but coming from a Mexican heritage family while learning figurative language. I chose this book because most immigrant kids can relate to the challenges Pedro experienced. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63249742-mexikid

"They Call Us The Enemy"

ana_anaya_h — 2025-04-08 18:57:11 UTC

This memoir narrates the experiences and harsh conditions of Takei’s experiences in the camps. This book also explores the effects of traumatic experiences and how they shaped Takei’s life. I chose this book because it explores the situations immigrants and refugees go through. My students can relate to some of these experiences as they might be experiencing them as they adjust to the new country. I can use this book in all the grades and teach about resilience, discrimination, examine different viewpoints, and the effects of trauma.

Environment Reading List

ana_anaya_h — 2025-04-08 18:57:11 UTC

This is a book written in English by Huda Fahmy, in which she shares her experiences when she moved to her new town, Michigan. She also describes her first year of high school and has to re-examine her identity. I selected this book because all immigrant students have to re-examine their identities when they get to the USA, and they go through the same experiences beginning their first year of high school. I also love the idea that this is a fictionalized memoir. I can use this book in my freshman class to explore themes of identity, family dynamics and traditions, students’ experiences, and connotation and denotation. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57005205-huda-f-are-you

"The Joy Luck Club"

ana_anaya_h — 2025-04-08 18:57:11 UTC

This novel is written in English by Amy Tan. Amy explores the themes of family, cultural heritage, and sacrifice, and the differences in communication between Chinese and American families. I chose this book to teach idioms, metaphors, and word nuances to my students while exploring Chinese-American cultures. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7763.The_Joy_Luck_Club

"When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir"

ana_anaya_h — 2025-04-08 18:57:11 UTC

This is a memoir written in English by Patrisse Khan-Cullors which is a reflection on humanity. I selected this book because it explores systemic racism, police brutality, activism and the origins of the Black Lives Matter movement. The author also explores the themes of survival, strength and resilience to call action. I believe these are issues that are relevant to today’s world situation. I can use this book with all my grades to teach them about ongoing issues of racial injustice, police violence, poetry, word relationships, and social movements. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34964998-when-they-call-you-a-terrorist

"My Heart of Rice: A Poetic Filipino American Experience"

ana_anaya_h — 2025-04-08 18:57:11 UTC

This is a book written in English by Ashly Lanuza, and she encourages one to accept one’s identity through poetry. I chose this book because it explores assimilation and identity from a Filipino American perspective. I believe this book represents some of my students who go through the struggle of trying to fit in without letting down their families. I can use it in my ELD 2 and ELD 3 to teach poetry, literary devices, identity, immigration experiences, generational divides, social justice, and nuances in words. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51585809-my-heart-of-rice

"The House on Mango Street"

ana_anaya_h — 2025-04-08 18:57:11 UTC

This is a novel written in English with some words in Spanish by Sandra Cisneros. Sandra explores identity and the sense of belonging from a Chicano experiences, which reflect some of my immigrant students. I can use this book to teach my students about cultural expectations, immigration, racism, cultural belonging, and figurative language. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/139253.The_House_on_Mango_Street

"Things Fall Apart"

ana_anaya_h — 2025-04-08 18:57:11 UTC

This is a novel written in English by Chinua Achebe in which Okonkwo, the leader of a village in Nigeria, struggles with some changes in his community due to colonialism. I chose this book as it explores themes of identity, cultural disruption through the use of rich figurative language. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37781.Things_Fall_Apart

Comic Strip

ana_anaya_h — 2025-04-11 16:01:25 UTC

This is a poem written by Tupac Shakur in which he uses his personal experiences when he was growing up. Tupac explores the themes of resilience and love through the use of metaphors. I chose this book as we could analyze the use of metaphors to represent the themes of resilience in adversity and the power of the human spirit. https://ia601202.us.archive.org/19/items/TheRoseThatGrewFromConcreteByTupacShakur/The%20Rose%20That%20Grew%20From%20Concrete%20by%20Tupac%20Shakur.pdf