Christmas Gift, The
Publication Information
Author:  Jimenez, Francisco	Illustrator:  Cotts, Claire B.
Title:  Christmas Gift, The	Date:  2000
Publisher:  Houghton Mifflin	City:  Boston
ISBN, paperback:  0-395-92869-9	ISBN, hardback:
Recommended audience:
ABE/ABLE:   Yes	ESOL:   Yes
Family:   Yes	Young Adult:
Picture:   Yes
General Information:
Book Type(s):    fiction, biography and autobiography
HSE Descriptor(s):    social studies
Summary:
This beautifully illustrated bilingual story tells of the Christmas of a migrant family in California, which first appeared as a chapter in The Circuit. His family has to move again a few days before Christmas in order to find work, and Panchito worries that he will not get the gift he has been wanting.
Teaching Ideas:
ESOL students who read Spanish will especially enjoy following the bilingual version. Readers may want to compare this story with O. Henry's Gift of the Magi. Readers could explore through discussion and writing how and why the children overcame their disappointment. Paired with Atkins' Voices from the Field, students could research migrant life. Readers who like the story may want to read The Circuit and other books about migrant workers.
Keywords: select any link below for a list of resources which also have that keyword
Celebration > holidays > Christmas Ethnic Groups > Mexican-American Emotions-Personal Issues > emotions > giving/generosity Geography > locations > U.S. states/regions > California Social Studies > sociology > social issues > migrant workers Work > migrant Family > family life

We welcome your comments