The Skirt

Bibliography
Soto, Gary. 1992. THE SKIRT. Ill. by Velasquez Eric. New York: Delacorte Press.
ISBN-10: 0440409241

Plot Summary

Miata Ramirez is always losing things. Combs, sweaters, lunch money, homework, shoes and now, her folklorico skirt. As soon as the school bus rumbles away, Miata realizes her mistake. Not wanting to disappoint her parents, Miata devises a plan to retrieve the skirt in time to dance after church on Sunday.

Critical Analysis

Gary Soto has written an excellent book that deals with a little girl with a big problem. Miata’s problem is not new- young people everywhere often struggle to keep up with their things-and parents are frequently exasperated. Soto presents the daily issues present in families in a heartwarming way.

Several cultural markers allow readers to get to know the Ramirez family. One of these markers is Miata’s family. They are very close and supportive of each other. Miata’s father works hard to take care of his family-often working extra jobs. Miata’s mother also works hard at home providing a clean, house and good food for her family. When Miata’s little brother, Joe, comes in to the house dragging in dirt, Mrs. Ramirez calls him a “chango”. When Mr. Ramirez comes in later, her clarifies by calling his son a “little monkey”. These good-natured nicknames allow readers to understand that the Ramirez family loves each other and often put up with things-just as all families do. Soto has seamlessly infused the Spanish language into the text in a way that adds to the authenticity and does not detract from the story. Folklorico, bueno, papas fritas, chorizo con huevos are some of the words used. Although translations are not present, readers will be able to use the context of the story to determine the meanings of the words they do not know. Another cultural marker is the celebration of Ballet Folklorico. This is a traditional Mexican folk dance. The group performs wearing beautiful skirts. The story is focused on Miata’s problem of getting the skirt back so she will not disgrace her family for the Ballet Folklorico.

Eric Velasquez’s pencil drawings help readers get to know Miata and her family better by adding vision and depth to the characters. Velasquez portrays the family as a modern Mexican American family adding authenticity to the story.

The skirt is a great beginning chapter book with authentic details that will warm the readers heart.

Review Excerpts

Carolyn Phelan (Booklist, Oct. 15, 1992 (Vol. 89, No. 4))
Frequently scolded for losing things, fourth-grader Miata Ramires can't bear to tell her parents that she's left her treasured folklorico skirt on the Friday afternoon school bus. Mom wore the skirt as a child in Mexico and now looks forward to watching Miata wear it when her dance troupe performs in the church courtyard on Sunday. With help from an old friend and an old enemy, Miata breaks into the bus yard, retrieves the skirt, and wears it in her performance. A good beginning chapter book, this uses simple words without sounding too simplistic. Velasquez's eight drawings break up the text, heighten the drama, and provide sympathetic portrayals of the characters.

Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, 1992)
In this cheery snapshot of a Mexican-American family in California, Miata attempts to retrieve from her schoolbus the 'folklorico' skirt she left behind. There is just enough suspense in the spare story line to hold the attention of readers new to chapter books.

Connections

The official Gary Soto website: http://www.garysoto.com/

Other books about dance and losing things by Gary Soto

Soto, Gary. MARISOL. ISBN 1584859725

Soto, Gary. TOO MANY TAMALES. ISBN 0399221468

Chato and the Party Animals ISBN-10: 0142400327

Baseball in April and Other Stories ISBN-10: 0152025677