Module 3 Book 2 Gary Soto book

A. Bibliography
Soto,Gary.1992. Pacific Crossing.Orlando,FL.:Harcourt,Brace,Jovanovich.ISBN:0152591877

B.Plot Summary
Linoln Mendoza and Tony Contreras,two Mexican-American boys from San Francisco, spend an eventful six-weeks with two different host families in the small Japanese farming village of Atami.

C. Critical Analysis( with cultural markers)

The story shows Lincoln and Tony doing things that naturally suggest their Mexican-American background. For example, when Tony steps off the plane in Tokyo he gives his host Mr. Inaba, a raza style handshake. In other words, a handshake where both men clasp palms. In San Francisco, Lincoln's mom uses m'ijo, the term of endearment typically used by parents with their sons. Once in Japan, the boys attempt to make Mexican food such as frijoles and tortillasfor their host families. Lincoln and Tony teach their new Japanese friend Spanish phrases such as Andale (hurry up) and orale ( all right!).
Lincoln also painlessly learns about the Japanese culture and language from his hosts, the Onos. The Onos have a sense of humor and make Lincoln feel at home. The son of the family,Mitsuo teaches him Japanese words. The Onos live in a house that is ,according to Lincoln, disappointingly "modern",but with some unfamiliar features such as an engawa or Japanese style porch. Naturally, the Onos wear blue jeans and other Western style clothing.

Although, unrealistically, no cultural misunderstandings ever arise,Lincoln does get a close-up view of Japanese culture,martial arts and language. Lincoln enjoy such Japanese cultural institutions as a sento, or Japanese public bath house.

However, the genial pace of the narrrative and the genuinely sympathetic characters make up for any lack of depth in this Young Adult novel.
The characters of Tony,Mitsuo and Lincoln are likeable and believable. Although slow-moving, the story is interesting because it is about a fascinating cultural exchange between Mexican-Americans and their new, temporary Japanese community.
Both the Spanish and Japanese glossaries in the back are very useful.

D.Review Excerpts
Booklist
It's the language that seems to punch things up: Soto uses a heroic combination of contemporary American slang ("fresh," "bad") and Spanish and Japanese terms likely to have readers making good use of the book's two glossaries. Yet the strange word mix works more often than not; the story, though slight, is warm and winning; and its setting is strikingly authentic. ~

Kirkus Reviews:
A pleasant, easygoing story about sharing cultures.

E. Connections
Encourage readers to meet the exchange students in their school or district. Invite an exchange student to class.

Readers may enjoy these books about adapting to a new culture or making friends with someone from a different culture.
Mantell,Paul.2004. Stealing Home. ISBN: 9780316607391
Clements,Andrew. 2009.Extra Credit. ISBN: 9781416949299
Kadahota,Cynthia. 2006. Weedflower. ISBN: 9780689865749