Return to Sender

Alvarez, J. (2009). Return to Sender. New York: Alfred A. Knopf

Plot Description: Tyler’s family has recently hired three migrant workers from Mexico to work on their farm in Vermont after his father was in a bad accident that left him unable to do the work on his own.  One of the workers has three daughters who also live in the trailer on their property.  Throughout the book Tyler and his family develop a strong relationship with the Mexican workers and their daughters and fight to save them from jail and deportation.  Eventually the family is sent back to Mexico but Tyler and his family keep in touch and both have come to accept that change is okay.    

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Age Group: This book is meant for grades 5-8.

Similar Books:  When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead & Before We Were Free by Julia Alvarez.

Personal Thought: This book does a great job at explaining illegal immigration and our countries feelings about it.  It makes the reader think about other points of view and it is very eye-opening.

Subject/Themes: Mexicans, Farming, Immigration, Family

Awards: Pura Belpre Award

Character Description: Tyler is the youngest son in the Paquette family.  He develops a special relationship with Mari.

Mari is the oldest Cruz daughter.  She takes on the role of mother while her mother is gone for over a year.  She was the only child born in Mexico.

Grandma is Tyler’s Grandma.  She recently lost her husband and is very sad until she meets the three Marias.

Ofie is Mari’s middle sister.  She was born in America.

Luby is Mari’s youngest sister.  She is also born in America.

Annotation: Tyler isn’t sure what he thinks about the new Mexican workers his parents have hired but if it allows his family to keep the farm he decides he will give it a chance.  Read along to see how Tyler fights a constant battle between what is right and wrong and how a special relationship forms with he and Mari.