"My name is Jorge On Both Sides of the River"

“My Name is Jorge On Both Sides of the River” was written by Jane Medina. Fabricio Vanden Broeck illustrated the book. This book story focuses on a young Mexican boy, Jorge and his struggle to make a new life in a new country. His family is from Mexico, which they had to across the river to get to America. He navigates his way into his school where all instructions and speakings are in English. Jorge’s experiences are recorded in poems in two languages, Spanish and English. The collection poems are told from his perspective. In addition, illustrations are drawn in black and white.

The book is realistic fiction. The genre is poetry. The author, Jane Medina is an elementary teacher. She teaches students like Jorge and encourages them to share the richness of their heritages with one another. Students such as American ELLs or immigrants can read this type of book and sense connections through similar experiences. I could sense Jorge's struggles because we both share similar experiences. We moved to America at a young age, trying to adapt to the culture. The themes are the struggle between adapting and maintaining cultural heritage, identity, and friendships. It is critical for ELLs and/or immigrants to be aware that they are not alone in this type of journey and that other American students should be exposed to this awareness more.

As I read this book, social justice is valid. It displays Jorge having self-identity and cultural conflicts. Two elements of social justice were covered: self-love and knowledge and respect for others. This book could introduce students to learn about who they are and where they come from. At times like this, students can be provided with opportunities to build their pride inter culture, heritage, and ethnicity. This could build their respect for others as they learn about varied experiences coming from their classmates. Students can share their cultural knowledge with classmates. This can deconstruct stereotypes. Cross-cultural environment can be build in a classroom.