Becoming Naomi Leon
by Pam Munoz Ryan

    BECOMING NAOMI LEON by Pam Munoz Ryan
    Category:  Contemporary
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 6+
    Release Date:  10/1/05
    Publisher:  Scholastic
    Reviewed by:  Mechele R. Dillard
    Rating:  5 Stars


    Eleven-year-old Naomi Soledad Leon Outlaw doesn't like to talk. What is she supposed to say? Abandoned by her
    parents at age four and raised by her great-grandmother, Naomi is a mixture of Oklahoman and Mexican, but is not
    able to understand even a word of Spanish--although her new best friend, Blanca, informs her that "Leon" means
    "lion" and "Soledad is some big saint in Mexico" (p. 54). All these years, her heritage, although with her daily, has
    escaped her. Who knew? Not Naomi.

    Then Naomi's mother, Skyla, returns, and life becomes chaotic. At first, Skyla claims to want a relationship with
    Naomi and her brother, but can her sudden burst of sentimentality be trusted? Naomi dreams that Skyla has found
    herself and truly wants to wear mother/daughter outfits and build a family. But if that is true, why hasn't she been
    showering presents upon Owen, Naomi's physically-disabled brother, as she has been doing for Naomi since she
    resurfaced in their lives?

    Ryan, an award-winning author, gives readers permission to ask the question some may think is silly: Who am I?
    BECOMING NAOMI LEON demonstrates that who a person is, in fact, is more--much more--than just her name.

    Pura Belpre Award Honor Book, 2006

    Book Sense Book of the Year Award Honor Book, 2005

    SCBA Book Award Nominee, 2005

    Schneider Family Middle-School Book Award Winner, 2005  

    Skipping Stones Honor Awards Winner, 2005

    Americas Award-Commended, 2004

    Parent's Choice Award-Silver, 2004

    Tomas Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award Winner, 2004