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Return to Sender

(2009, Fiction - Contemporary Fiction, Written by Julia Alvarez)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 7, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 10.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Intense story about illegal immigration and friendship.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 10 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The entire story explores the issue of illegal immigration from both the farmer and worker perspectives. A central worry for both main characters is breaking the law and getting caught. The grandmother tells a "white lie" and Tyler fibs to his mom. These "white lies" are presented as purposeful. Also, hiring the illegal immigrants is explained by parents as "not wrong in God's eyes" and "sometimes a country has laws that have nothing to do with what's right or what's best for most of the people involved."

  • Violence:

    A character dies suddenly of a heart attack and another is involved in a tractor accident in which he gets pinned under it and injured. Both events happen before the start of the story.

  • Sex:

    One sexual reference: "he finally got laid."

  • Language:

    Mild: "Ohmigod," "hell," "damn."

  • Consumerism:

    Oprah is mentioned, as is McDonald's and Coca-Cola. The youngest sister watches Dora on TV, and the family shops at Walmart.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    A mention of fraternity boys with a 12-pack. Also, on Mother's Day, the family buys beer and a bottle of champagne, which makes the grandmother's cheeks turn pink.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Return to Sender

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.

Did this review help you decide?

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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