Any Small Goodness

Sweet little vignettes. This took me two goes to get through. I read the first few chapters, said "nope!" and put it aside. I picked it up again a week later because it's one of the few class sets I have that speaks culturally to my students. So glad I gave it a second go. It was a great book with a wonderful ending/moral.

Any Small Goodness (ages 9-12) is the first novel by picture book author, Tony Johnston. The narrator, 11 year old Mexican American Arturo, describes his and his family and friends experiences living in the barrio of East Los Angeles. Spanish expressions and the physical details of daily life at home, at school, and in the barrio illustrate the realities of life for immigrant children in Los Angeles. Any Small Goodness clearly describes the problems and issues of assimilation and gang violence that beset the characters who are convincing and credible to the experiences of countless Mexican Americans transplanted from rural Mexico to urban America. Johnston addresses the touchy subject of gang violence with honesty and thoughtfulness, show more portraying the catalyst and the consequences of a drive-by shooting with empathy and realism. Any Small Goodness transcends the East Los Angeles setting with its journey into growing up an immigrant and the immigrant experience for children and adults alike. With developing events in Arizona, Any Small Goodness is particulary apropos reading to foster understanding and compassion for the lives of all Americans, legal immigrants or not. show less

Arturo lives with his family in Los Angeles. This book follows his observations of people he knows: his parents, his grandmother, gang members, his librarian, a volunteer who coaches at his school, and others. Through his observations, he realizes who he wants to be, and sets the plan in motion to become that person. Each chapter is filled with adventures and observations about other people, as Arturo wonders about his place in life as he compares himself to others he admires and loathes.

This book honestly portrays realities of life for today's children. Arturo has to deal with family issues, a cultural battle between his family and his teacher, and is inspired by the school librarian. The two biggest problems from today's world it show more illuminates are dealing with nasty gang members and figuring out who he is. The characters are convincing and credible.

I like many things about this book. That Arturo's parents are together and truly love and care for each other and their family. That it bucks negative stereotypes of Mexican families in Los Angeles. That it gives a sympathetic and inspiring point of view from a child. That it's an easy read, so therefor easy to share with my young scholars. It's truly a great book. Ages 8 - 11. show less

Sweet... and exciting, too. Somewhat episodic, but the stories are definitely linked and the last chapter is a culmination.

Lots of Spanish vocabulary. *Por las cochinas* means "for the dirty doubts" which equates to 'just in case.'

"In life there is bueno and there is malo. If you do not find enough of the good, you must yourself create it.... Remember this thing -- any small goodness is of value."

Arturo and his family move to LA and run head on into both the terrible problems of the city and the amazing love of the town. Arturo’s Papi is very wise, showing the children how to find good in the world and revealing to them how to make good from bad. p. 16 On the way home Papi says, “This Leo Love is a brave man. In spite of fear he saved Huitla. When no eyes are upon him, that is a person’s true test.” p. 103 “Mijo.” With carino, Papi touches my shoulders and looks into my face. The world seems to wait while he arranges his thoughts. Then slowly he says, “In life there is bueno and there is malo. If you do not find enough of the good, you must yourself create it.” A big speech for him. And I can tell he’s not show more done. After a moment he says, “Remember this thing --- any small goodness is of value.” show less

I found this book hard to follow as I flipped back and forth between the Spanish dictionary and the material. I also had a VERY hard time following the story line. I absolutely hated this book.

RGG: Set in the barrios of Los Angles, and not pulling any punches about the violence of the place, a middle-school aged boy describes through connected vignettes the goodness in the people in his life. Interspersed through out is vernacular Spanish and other details of the Mexican-American culture. Reading Level: 10-12