Esmeralda Santiago Website Evaluators
Rod Cameron - Abraham Lincoln High School, Iowa
Randall J. Heeres - Northern Michigan Christian High School, Michigan
Judy Iliff - Campbell County High School, Wyoming Website Reviewer and Compiler Charles R. Sanders - San Pedro High School, California Site Ratings
1 = Poor 2 = Fair 3 = Good 4 = Excellent The Reading Group Center: Almost a Woman
http://www.randomhouse.com/vintage/read/almost/ The main feature of this site is a study guide for Esmeralda Santiago's Almost a Woman, which contains comprehension and evaluation questions for all
levels. Also included are a photograph of the book cover and a brief critical review. "A particularly nice feature of this site is a list of tips for discussion." Links lead to information on
Santiago's other books and some biographical data. "The study guide and tips for discussion are worth the time it takes to visit."
Overall Rating: 3When I Was Puerto Rican - Teacher's Guide
http://www.randomhouse.com/acmart/puerictg.html Here is a "nice study guide" for Esmeralda Santiago's When I Was Puerto Rican.
This site offers notes to teachers, an in-depth discussion on each chapter, and a fine section on subjects that extend the reading into related areas. There are suggestions for written projects and the
moving beyond the book section "would work very well for a cross-curriculum unit" or a multi-cultural literature unit. "The material at this site can be found no place else at this time on the web."
Overall Rating: 3Hispanic Heritage Month
http://www.kentuckyconnect.com/heraldleader/news/091697/latina/html/latina8.htm Developed for Hispanic Heritage Month, this site offers brief
biographical information on and a photograph of Esmeralda Santiago. Although there is no information on any of her books, the site links to other Hispanic writers, including Isabel Allende and Maria
Hinojosa. "The biographical information is the kind students would find useful because it is brief and to the point."
Overall Rating: 2Esmeralda Santiago Books
http://www.iluminated.com/esmeralda.html Although this is a commercial site for Amazon.com booksellers, it does offer a "good deal of information
and insight" about Esmeralda Santiago and her books. Included are quotations from the author about growing up Puerto Rican, and a general overview of the content of her books. There is little in the way of
lessons, discussion questions, or interaction, but "one does get the sense of the stories from the synopses."
Overall Rating: 2 |
