If being in the minority in a particular demographic isn’t demanding enough, Yamila discovers a family secret that threatens to derail the success she has encountered thus far at her competitive high school, even given the economic challenges confronted by her and her family. Experience the trials that Yamila faces in contrast to the seemingly carefree life of her best friend, Ashley, as the two characters illustrate their differences all while maintaining their relationship. La niñera is a common story, but one rarely told in accessible Spanish.
Specifications
- 71 pages of text, plus a glossary
- written in present and past tense
- Neutral Spanish with several Latin-American characteristics: more use of personal pronouns than in Spain, and the use of 'ustedes' instead of 'vosotros'.
- setting: Duckston, New England
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Jennifer Degenhardt
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ninera |
"La niñera was my second story inspired by the lack of connection my students were making with the Spanish-speaking people that their parents hired to work in their homes as housecleaners or landscapers.
I would ask my students if they knew people who spoke Spanish (it was decidedly NOT a diverse district) so that I could encourage them to practice their language skills with those people. More often than not, my students didn’t even know the names of the people who showed up weekly in their homes.
In the story, Ashley and Yamila couldn’t be more different, both ethnically or economically, but still, they are good friends. They grew up together as Yamila always spent time at Ashley’s house because Yamila’s mom is the family’s nanny. Of course, there is teenage drama and misunderstandings which adds to the conflict."
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Information for teachers
Students of Spanish have access to rich vocabulary, a review of the present tense and an introduction to the past tenses in context through a story whose cultural content also presents topics worthy of discussion.
Would you like to order a class set? We will give you a 10% discount on 25 or more copies of the same title. Please, order the novels via e-mail. Due to relatively small stock numbers, please allow 2-3 weeks for your order.
*All books and novels are copyright protected, which means that copying this book for use in your classroom is not permitted.
