Becoming Naomi Leon

Becoming Naomi Leon
Ryan, Pam Munoz
Realistic fiction, multicultural
Scholastic, Inc. 2004
4-5

Naomi Outlaw was a young girl who lived with her great grandmother and little brother Owen who is physically disabled. Naomi and Owen had spent most of their lives with gram ever since their mother abandoned them. Naomi's last name was not really Outlaw it was Leon. Gram wanted her use Outlaw so they would have the same name. Naomi did not fit in well at school.The kids at her school made fun of her name, and she never had new clothes. Naomi's mother was American and fer father was Mexican. Naomi took after her father's side. She had dark hair, skin, and eyes. This meant that she did not look at all like her brother and gram. Naomi often felt out of place.

One day Naomi and Owen's mother showed up at grams trailer. Her mother had changed her name to Skyla. Gram was very upset about her arrival because she was an alcoholic who had spent time in rehab and in a half way house. Gram was worried that Skyla would try to take her kids away from the only family they knew. Gram, Naomi, and Owen were very close to their neighbors Fabiola and Bernardo who were originally from Mexico. Skyla gave Naomi lots of presents but she ignored her crippled son Owen. Owen was often made fun of for his deformities and unusual voice. Other kids called him a retard even though he was very smart. Owen was very insecure and always had to have tape on his shirt or he would panic. Skyla seemed to be embarrassed of her son and was only interested in Naomi. It turned out that Skyla only wanted Naomi so her and her new Boyfriend would get government welfare. Naomi did not want to live with her mother because she was unkind to her brother and had even hit her. She did not show up to her parent teacher conference which really hurt her feelings. Gram took Owen and Naomi on a trip to Mexico in their trailer. There, Naomi finally reconnects with her father. She discovers that he truly loved her and regretted the time they had lost. Her father agreed that his children should stay with Gram. Gram had to go to court but the judge also agreed that they should live with Gram. Naomi found herself at peace. She was no longer Naomi Out law. She is now Naomi Leon.

This is a very heart warming book. I admire Gram for taking in her grat grandchildren in when their mother left them. I fell that many children would identify with Naomi's life. She is from a mixed family which caused her great confusion. I think that children in similar situations would be comforted with how her problems worked out. I would like to use this story in the classroom to start a discussion on tolerance. Many made fun of Naomi and Owen because they were different. Children need to understand that we are who we are no one should be made to feel bad about how they look, act, or live. I would also like to incorporate an art lesson. I would have the students try to make their own soap carvings!