Becoming Naomi Leon
Written by Pam Ryan
Reviewed by Shantell S. (age 10)
In this book there is a character named Naomi Soledad Leon Outlaw. Her long name is just the beginning of her problems. She is poor and lives in a trailer park with her Gram, she also has a brother named Owen. Naomi is quiet and shy and has a hard time speaking up. Her Gram says what she thinks and doesn't care who hears. Owen is very quiet and shy like his sister. One day they hear a knock at the door that changes their lives. Who is it? Read the book to find out.
I think this book is fantastic because it has great word choice, "I pulled the knife across the bar of Nature's Pure White soap". That also shows that Naomi's hobby is carving soap. Like Naomi I have a hobby, crocheting and reading. My favorite character is Naomi because she is the exact opposite from me. For example, I'm out spoken and she is quiet and shy. This book is like another book by Pam Munoz Ryan. It is named Esperanza Rising. Esperanza Rising is like Becoming Naomi Leon because it also includes Spanish and sad parts.
I recommend this book to those who like realistic fiction. Due to the sensitive subject matter, people from 5th grade on up should be able to comprehend the story. I think Pam Munoz Ryan is a very talented writer.