The Magic Paper: Mexican-Americans: A Story Based on Real History [Paperback]

This easy-to-understand reader is part of the acclaimedHopes and Dreamshistorical novel series, designed specifically for English learners and newcomers to the United States. Each novel follows a different immigrant family navigating the challenges of prejudice, danger, loss, and rebuilding in a new country.

Plot Summary forThe Magic Paper

This is the story of Teresa Garcia and Benito Cruz, two Mexican-Americans. In 1980 Teresa buys a fake visa and comes alone to Los Angeles to care for her sick aunt. Then she stays, working in a dress factory to send money home to Mexico. Benito crawls through a pipe into California, where he works as a migrant farmworker. They meet and fall in love. Benito moves to Los Angeles and works in a factory. They want to marry, but they can’ t because they are illegal.

They work hard and save money to go to Mexico and bring Teresa’ s sister back. Finally they have enough money, but when they go to Mexico City, there is a great earthquake. Teresa’ s whole family is killed. They come back to the U.S. illegally. They continue to work hard and wait until a new law lets them apply to get the magic paper, to become legal, and to get married. At last, they feel safe.

FeaturesFree accompanying AUDIO program, available to download fromhttps://www.prolingualearning.com/or to stream onhttps://www.youtube.com/@ProLinguaLearningAudioIncludes a downloadable Sample Lesson for classroom or independent studyIncludes a downloadable Teacher’ s Guide with a Plot Summary, Discussion Questions,Historical Photos, and Detailed BackgroundIncludes downloadable ready-to-use classroom activities:What Did You Read?Form,Book ReportForm, Word Play, andFill-in-the-Blanks Review ActivitiesIdeal for reading, discussion, and cross-cultural understanding in ESL or citizenship programsAlso in the “ Hopes and Drealc1