At Home in a Faraway Place by Lynne Rae Perkins
Published by Greenwillow Books on 3/18/25
ISBN: 0063378426
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Social Themes / Friendship
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads

Lissie travels with her father and grandmother to Guatemala and is a little intimidated because she doesn’t speak Spanish.  She is excited by the new people, new foods,  and the things she is seeing for the first time, like a volcano and ancient pyramids.  Slowly she learns some Spanish, with the help of her father’s friends and friends she meets along the way.  One such friend is Flory who picks up some English words as Lissie learns some Spanish. They have fun together playing games and swimming. At the end of her trip, Lissie has gained many Spanish words and phrases, as well as a friend in Flory.

Readers of this early elementary chapter book will learn Spanish right along with Lissie.  Many words and phrases are shown in a picture and spelled phonetically so readers can learn how to pronounce new words.  The end of the book includes a glossary of the Spanish terms introduced in the book. In addition to the new vocabulary words, most pages have a black and white drawing to break up the text.  Kids interested in learning Spanish will enjoy this book about friendship and curiosity.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library