 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Return to Sender
- By Julia Alvarez
- Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Common Sense Media says
Intense story about illegal immigration and friendship.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this story explores illegal immigration in a sympathetic way, and that readers come to know the hearts and minds of both the Vermont family and the Mexican family. Parents also need to know that the issues and moral dilemmas facing the two main characters (Tyler and Mari) are heavy -- they both worry constantly and are wrought with fear and anxiety. As a result, the story is serious and heavy. Parents also need to know that Mari's mother went missing and was sold into slavery, though eventually rescued by Mari. Also, immigration laws are not fully described and enforcers are presented negatively.
What's the story?
Eleven-year old Tyler worries about losing his Vermont farm after the sudden death of his grandfather and a tractor accident leaves his father unable to work. Tyler is desperate to save his farm from being sold. But after his father hires a family of illegal Mexican workers, Tyler wonders if saving the farm is worth breaking the law. Soon Tyler meets Mari, the eldest daughter in the Mexican family. While initially wary of each other, Tyler and Mari soon form a unique friendship that opens their eyes to the lives of the other. Both kids worry about their families and their future, and come to realize that they are forever connected through their shared struggles.
Is it any good?
RETURN TO SENDER is a compassionate narrative that puts a human heart to the hot-button topic of illegal immigration. The story portrays the desire for a better life and how hard work is the means to achieve it. The author captures the intense emotions of both farmer and worker, and tells the story through the questioning innocence of children. However, the main characters -- both 11 years old -- are strapped with enormous emotional burdens and life's adult responsibilities, and the story is laden with their fear and worry.
Parents and educators will find this an important and significant read, but the question remains if kids will actually enjoy reading it.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about their own perspectives of illegal immigration. How do you feel about illegal workers being hired to aid farming communities?
Did Mari's story help create understanding and sympathy for illegal
workers?Did you relate to Tyler's worries?
Do you think it's possible
to be a patriot and also support illegal immigration?Families can also
talk about the role of immigrants in U.S. history. Do you know any
relatives that came from other countries? How did they get to the U.S.?
What was their story?
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| Author: | Julia Alvarez |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Contemporary Fiction |
| Publisher: | Alfred A. Knopf |
| Publication date: | January 13, 2009 |
| Number of pages: | 336 |
| Hardcover price: | $16.99 |
| Read aloud: | 9 |
| Read alone: | 10 |
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