Return to Sender

written by Julia Alvarez, and published by Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children's Books

The book cover of "Return to Sender" by Julia Alvarez features a bluebird swooping amidst yellow flowers against a black background. The Pura Belpré Award seal has been affixed to the left side of the cover, below the center line.

About

91´«Ã½

Julia Alvarez explores the thin line that separates American citizens and undocumented persons in her brilliantly told novel, “Return to Sender.” After Tyler’s father is unable to maintain the family farm, he hires undocumented workers, resulting in an interdependent relationship that mirrors current social and political conditions in the United States. Alvarez humanizes a situation by giving a voice to millions of immigrants experiencing similar hardships. This outstanding novel about the solidarity between two children of different cultures will resonate in the hearts of readers of any age.

Julia Alvarez explora la delgada línea que separa a los ciudadanos estadounidenses y a los indocumentados en su novela brillantemente narrada “Return to Sender”. Cuando el padre de Tyler no puede mantener la finca de la familia, contrata a trabajadores indocumentados, lo cual da por resultado una relación de interdependencia que refleja las condiciones sociales y políticas actuales en los Estados Unidos. Alvarez humaniza una situación otorgándoles voz a millones de inmigrantes que enfrentan penurias similares. Esta novela notable acerca de la solidaridad entre dos niños de diferentes culturas, dejará una profunda huella en los corazones de los lectores de todas las edades.

Awards Won

Title Year
Belpré Medal image Pura Belpré Award

91´«Ã½

The Pura Belpré Award, established in 1996, is presented to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth.
2010 - Winner(s)