Espanol Fiction Books

I think this is the best book in the Twilight Series. I literally could not put it down. I'm glad I bought the hard back copy because I will definiitely want to read it again and again.

Wow, what can I say. I really loved this book. I was surprised, I am 44 and started reading the twilight series by chance just for something to do while my husband watched football. I became so engrossed in the books that I read all 4 in just 6 days. The amazing thing is I am not a reader. These were the first books I have read in more than 5 years.

I cannot recommend these books by SM enough. They are so vividly discriptive and she teases you so well by writing almost what you want to happen and then pulling back at the right moment.

I am a Jacob Black fan. The way SM has written the series I am always pulling for him and I feel so much compassion for his character.

The sequel of the Twilight Saga did not disappoint.

I first read Stephanie Meyer's "Host" and loved it so much I couldn't wait to read more from her. I purchased the "Twilight Saga and read all four books. They were all great.

She writes from a first person prespective and you come to love the characters, especially the innerworld of the heroine. She begins as a teenager with all the self-consciousness, weaknesses, and foibles of a teen. She is the definition of a clutz.

Through each successive book you watch her grow and mature into a really wonderful adult heroine.

These books are full of monsters, many of which I came to love.

I can't wait to see what Stephanie Meyer comes up with next.

Edward/Bella/Jacob "love" triangle? Whatever... We finally got the backstories for Jasper and Rosalie! And we had wolfpeople (a wolfwoman too, that's right) and vampires working together! This is the stuff of good, cheesy Halloween movies.

A good book? Eh. It was kind of more of the same, which, for me, made it pretty forgettable. I only finished it less than 2 weeks ago, and I already have a hard time remembering what exactly happened in the book. Can't even remember it well enough to do my girl/boy/friend stuff from my New Moon review. Oh well... At least it's time for it all to come to an exciting conclusion in the final book... Right?

I am not an adolescent girl, and usually get impatient with the endless tension (usually born of bad communication skills or stupidity, or both) that is Romance. Somehow these books transcend my usual reading preferences. Though, unlike many readers, I thought the last book in the series was the best of the bunch. My reward for three books of somehow, against-my-will, engrossing angst.

This "First Spanish Reader" is well structured and contains stories that are lively and entertaining in their own right for the student who wants to move up from beginner toward intermediate Spanish. The text starts out with indicative and slowly introduces preterite and imperfect but stops short of subjunctive. Also, more vocabulary is introduced along the way at a reasonable pace.

The editor does a good job of mixing in shorter sections with proverbs and poems between the longer stories. And the stories are well selected in that they are entertaining aside from just language instruction. I found "El Guardagujas" and "La Fotografía" to be especially good.

Great book with traditional stories that give you an insight into South American culture through language. What's best about this book is that it also has target questions about each of the stories that help you to extend your understanding of the text. There are a variety of stories of different lengths which means it's not too daunting. A great buy- I was more than impressed

I found this book most helpful in reviewing my knowledge and understanding of Spanish. I could attempt to read the passages in Spanish and then seen if I had understood them correctly by then reading the English version. It is a wonderful resource for intermediate and advanced students of the Spanish language to help reinforce what they have learned, and also exposes non-native speakers to the rich Latino literary culture.

I was hoping for something different. The parables are not i nteresting for high school kids. The stories are not laid out for best bilingual appreciation.

I bought this book to help me with my vocabulary and in learning some more slang and sentence structuring. It does all of that very well. But, if you are looking for "interesting" short stories, I would look elsewhere. I look forward to memorizing the new phrases that I have underlined in this book... really helpful.

The book is very good, even if not nearly as great as the shadow. I feel the author wanted to make the book longer, but he was probably stopped by the editors.
If you liked the shadow you should definitely read it, even if the tone of the book seems more sad I suppose. You will see some characters from the shadow that will make the book more fun, so don't read it unless you have read the shadow of the wind.
enjoy it!

Si buscas una buena novela, una historia que te enamore y no te permite dejar de leer, pues te aconsejo leer "La Sombra del Viento" y "El juego del Angel" (particularmente en ese orden). Te enfrentas a una literatura exquisita, enredada que te mantendra sorprendido hasta el final.

Si no has leído la La Sombra Del Viento/ the Shadow of the Wind (Autores Espanoles E Iberoamericanos) debes hacerlo ya!
No es un requisito para leer El Juego del Ángel pero es mucho mejor leerlo primero.

Mientras La Sombra del Viento es "Excelente", el Juego del Ángel es "Muy Bueno", el final no me gustó pero el libro te agarra y no te suelta hasta que lo acabes :)

Antes de La Sombra del Viento leí la "Triologia de la Niebla" en el orden en que fueron publicados (El Principe de la Niebla, El Palacio de la Medianoche, Las Luces de Septiembre: Novela, son bastante buenos (catalogados como libros "Juveniles").

Solo falta que el Editor se decida a vender una copia de Marina a un precio adecuado en USA, la edición ISBN: 9788423687268 cuesta 7.95 euros en España... Cuando traerán esa edición para acá??

En La Sombra del viento (SDV), Carlos Ruiz Zafón compartió su amor de los libros con nosotros, los lectores. En «El juego del ángel», comparte su amor compañero del arte de escribir. Nos presenta a David Martín, un joven que escribe noticias cortas para un periódico de poca fama. Al rato David tiene la oportunidad de escribir un cuento - en episodios - para el periódico. Así comienza su carrera de escritor. Unos años después David conoce a un editor misterioso que le ofrece la oportunidad de escribir un libro especial en cambio de una cantidad absurda de dinero.

Zafón capta la atención como antes; jamás he leído un libro en español tan rápido. Hay un misterio central, el amor inalcanzable, una casa con un secreto, varios personajes misteriosos, y - como siempre - una pasión para la literatura. Este libro está más oscuro que SDV: más asesinatos y más maldiciones. Además, David es menos simpático que el carácter principal de SDV (aún durante la época difícil de aquél). Pero le llegamos a apreciar.

Vemos a algunos amigos del otro libro (aunque no se releva la relación exacta hasta el fin del libro), y Zafón continua la demostración de su otra pasión (además de la con la literatura): ¡Barcelona! La gran debilidad es que se acaba de una forma sumamente abrupta. Cuando llegué a las últimas diez páginas, no pude imagine cómo se iba a resolver todo en diez páginas. Pensé lo mismo cuando faltaban cinco páginas. Dos de los misterios centrales se resuelven en las últimas dos páginas.

Dicho eso, estoy enamorado de la forma en que Zafón teje un tapiz intrincado de un cuento. No solo habla de su amor a la literatura y al escribir sino también los demuestra por su ejemplo.

Having, like so many others, loved Ruiz Zafon's last best-seller The Shadow of the Wind/La Sombra Del Viento/ the Shadow of the Wind (Autores Espanoles E Iberoamericanos) I couldn't wait to get my hands on El Juego del Angel despite it not yet being available in English translation and my Spanish not being all that brilliant. I wasn't disappointed; El Juego del Angel is written in Ruiz Zafon's now familiar fluent, elegant style; his descriptions of 1920's Barcelona are as evocative as ever and El Juego del Angel is, in any language, a page-turner! The author cleverly returns to some of the familiar themes and fantasies used in Shadow of The Wind without this ever feeling like a 'poor relation' or sequel - this story, with its gripping central theme of a young, talented but (fatally?) nihilistic writer whose life is variously shaped, steered, dictated and saved by a mysterious 'angel', is completely new and fresh while still having some comfortable similarities.

Highly, highly recommended!

I read this book for my intermediate Spanish class, and I found it to be a wonderful challenge because it expanded my vocabulary and helped me uncover the different ways things can be taken in Spanish. I liked how poetic the book is, though it was a bit confusing at times. It gives great insight into the issues faced by women and the lower classes. It's especially a great novel for those who are from Chciago!

Leí este libro por mi clase de español y fue un gran desaño porque mi vocabulario aumentó y discubrí modas diferentes usar las palabras y las frases en español. Me gusta la carácter poética del libro, aunque algunos partes están confusos. Lo da buen perspicacia en las cuestiónes de las mujeres y las pobres. Especialmente, este libro es fantástico spor las personas son de Chicago.

I was very happy to find this fine reading of this work on Amazon. Now I will be able to use it in my Spanish classes! as you know, the novel is wonderful, and the translation and reading are excellent. I am glad it was available. Now -when is some publisher going to do "Y no se lo tragó la tierra"??

un saludo desde la frontera

ramito

I recommend reading this book in English. Because the author uses some Spanish or Spanglish in the original version, the Spanish translation is hard to understand at times.

Es uno de esos libros que me causaban una sensacion en el estomago que solo se siente cuando miras al amor de tu vida o cuando sabes que es tu ultimo minuto en este mundo. Pero en mi caso la sensacion era porque sabia que tenia que ir a mi clase de ingles y leer este libro que mas odiaba en el mundo. El lenguague que usaba era muy simple y en la forma que ella escribe es como para darle un sentido a los anglosajones de como es la vida de una latina en Nueva York. Lo lei, en ingles y otros amigos tambien tuvieron que pasar por este calvario. Todos los anglosajones les parecia que era un buen libro pero para la mayoria de los latinos de la clase ese libro era el peor y el que mas odiabamos.

The book, House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros is an interesting book. I really do not understand why on some of the critiques people say they did not understand the book. I think it is very meaningful book. If you pay attention to it, there are many messages that Sandra Cisneros wrote on her book. I like this book very much because there are some stories that relate to my life, and I understand the concept of what she is talking about on her book. If there is, one thing that I did not like was that the book has many characters that I have to keep up.

This is a wonderful novel for Spanish I students in High School. I could even use it with 7th and 8th graders, I believe. We sue it during the summer to keep their Spanish abilities active, and also to build confidence and comprehension. This book does many things for a student: 1) builds vocabulary 2) improves comprehension level 3) motivates students to find out "what happens" 4) provides a new way to increase Spanish knowledge.

As a teacher of ages 3 to 18 year olds, I use excerpts from these books here and there, and use them for a Summer Spanish reading program each summer. Great idea and execution!

Sra. Gose
Author of Flip Flop Spanish: Ages 3-5: Level 1

I teach first-year high school Spanish and I use Pobre Ana near the end of the course. I could use it earlier as well.

The chapters are short. The story contrasts life in California with life in Tepic, Mexico, all through the eyes of Ana.

Ana is from California and doesn't think her quality of life is adequate since she doesn't have a new Mustang, et.al. However, once in Mexico she sees that relationships and the things she can control (like knowing Spanish well) are more important.

The story is a good language learning tool, especially the obviously necessary use of the indirect object pronouns throughout with all the "she said to them", "he said to her" tags.

I would have given 5 stars, but my early edition had a couple of character's names mixed up. I assume that this has been corrected by now.

This is an excellent 'beginning' book for anyone who wants to increase their Spanish learning.

It consists of 300 of the most frequently used words in a first year Spanish class that make up a wonderful story.

It is suitable, I feel, for anyone from Middle School to adult.

Halloween is my favorite holiday and now it has a new tradition: a book to be read on October 31, and throughout the year.
"Los Gatos Black on Halloween" is as rich and delicious as a slice of pumpkin pie. All the creepy creatures from the other world are gathering for their yearly bash at the local haunted house. Ghosts and Ghouls, Witches and Vamps, dance and cavort until the scariest monsters of all come trick-or-treating at the door. Marisa Montes' rhyming text is spot on.
And Yuyi Morales' illustrations kick the whole thing up to an even more supernatural level. She layers rich cultural references (Is that an Aztec giving the conquistador the raspberry?) and witty humor (the vain vampire checking his hair IN A MIRROR) into her astounding artwork, reminiscent of the finest Mexican muralists.
This little trick is a definite treat.

This is an excellent book for diversity in your classroom. Words are defined in the back for easy reference. You can adapt this book for extension lessons every easily.

Both me and my wife (a first grade teacher) really loved this book. It has great artwork (the first thing I look for), a really fun poem that incorporates Halloween words Spanish (teaching them through context), and cute ending. A great Halloween book for the classroom.

My children like this book. The 5 year-old likes the blend of "creepy" characters with common halloween themes, the 16 month-old likes the illustrations, and I like the bilingual aspect. Wonderful illustrations.

Love the concept, love the text. Ah, but the illustrations are the main treat - better than a bagful of Snickers and Atomic Fireballs! So spooky, so rich, and full of delicious details - you can get lost in them for hours!

I purchased this book so that I could read it to my 2 yr old son. The book is extremely funny and well translated. What I love about this book is that it has both versions, English and Spanish. So, my husband who only speaks English can also read him this book. I highly recommend this book.

The Spanish version (book contains both English & Spanish) was too advanced to read all the way through and maintain my 4-year-old daughter's attention - one who enjoys listening to very simple/easy books in Spanish at this point. However, the English side introduces a few Spanish words and even has a glossary for them at the end. I think this will create a good inroad for reading it in Spanish eventually. My daughter loved the story which brings together the familiar tale of Goldilocks, but with interesting deviations (black braids instead of golden locks, beans instead of porridge, and a prior friendly relationship rather than the meeting of strangers).

I like this book mainly for the way its designed. One one side its in spanish only, then on the flip side you can read in english. Its great to read and understand what it's saying (because its an unusual story) and then try understanding in spanish or vise versa.

My children love this book - The pictures are wonderful, and I like how one side reads upside-down - you meet in the middle. My four year old said, "Just like my Spanish workbook!" (We use Flip Flop Spanish curriculum)

Some of the vocabulary they picked up on the first time through in Spanish was frijoles, broma, cocina, blanda, and bosque (beans, joke, kitchen, soft, and forest) - I know they'll continue to grab more phrases and words since they already know all the family and animal names from the Flip Flop book. Great buy! What a bargain!

Abuelo y los tres osos es un cuentito que le cuenta Abuelo a su nieto para pasar el tiempo. Abuelo en su cuento exagera un poco los acontecimientos del cuento famoso de Trencitas de Oro y los Tres Osos. Hay partes que hacen gracia y es un libro genial para los niños. Es bilingüe - en español de un lado y en inglés del otro.

great book, kids stayed interested, It was fun to read to my group.. Im sure it will be a favorite!

The "germ book" is the one my toddler asks for over and over again the most. It's a fun book, with lots of opportunities for fun voices and hand gesturing. And guess what? Now she likes to wash her hands! And please rest assured: your kid won't become an obsessive-compulsive germophobe after looking at this book. The author's goal is NOT to scare kids into washing their hands every 10 minutes, but simply to get them to wash up before eating. Watch for the germs to go "swirling, whirling down the drain" with your child, and she will look forward to keeping clean and have fun while doing it.
In all, it's a fun, educational book. The dialog is rythmic, repetitve, and memorable, which even a 2 year-old can appreciate.

As another reviewer suggests, this is a great book to get children to do what you want them to. Never mind that it entails lying to children, treating germs as vicious invaders who look like hammers and do things they don't in reality (for instance, causing headaches). Insulting and manipulative. It's books like this that cause people to become obsessive-compulsive.

Wow! Some people really don't like teaching kids to wash their hands. First of all, most parents or teachers know that no book is a stand-alone for any given topic. Of course more discussion is necessary. Secondly, anyone who has spent time in a room full of little kids can see that they touch every available surface, wipe their nose, and put their fingers in their mouths. Trying to keep them from getting the bug that everyone else has is practically impossible, but washing hands frequently does help. And realize, people do go to the hospital as a result of some of these bugs.

My children (4-1/2 years and 20 months) enjoyed this book. My preschooler liked the pattern and emotion of the story, and my toddler liked the photographs. I can't say it made them want to wash hands any more, but at least it introduced them to the idea that we need to wash the germs off. I must add that I didn't really like the idea of one germ, the worst germ, staying on the girl's hands after she washed them, but it didn't seem to bother my kids. I would have liked to have added in the story how soap helps the water wash the germs off, since my preschooler will rinse her hands with water but sometimes puts up a fight about soap.

This book really helped our Daughter learn about germs and the importance of hand washing. Very good for young children to relate to.

This book definitely has a surprise ending. It follows a lonely chicken named Lola who is waiting for her true love to come along so she will not be alone any more. The story has an uplifting and somewhat funny ending that I really enjoyed and children certainly will as well. Another great thing about this book is the Spanish translation right along-side the English. When reading "Lola" I was able to look at the Spanish at the same time as I read the story in English and recognize Spanish words faster. The same would be true for anyone wanting to use this book to learn English. I enjoyed the large pictures that helped move the story along and I know that children especially would enjoy this book as much for the story as for the illustrations while at the same time, learning the basics of another language.

Uno de los aciertos de este texto de Loufane es su final sorpresivo el cual da al traste con los esteriotipos en los cuales se fundamenta el texto. Entre las multiples lecturas que el texto soporta estan aquellas que cuestionan cualquier tipo de prejuicio, sea este racial, de clase o corporal. El texto puede promover la discusion critica entre los lectores.