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    Return to Sender
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    Return to Sender
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    Return to Sender
    Audiobook7 hours

    Return to Sender

    Written by Julia Alvarez

    Narrated by Ozzie Rodriguez and Olivia Preciado

    4/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    After Tyler's father is injured in a tractor accident, his family is forced to hire migrant Mexican workers to help save their Vermont farm from foreclosure. Tyler isn' t sure what to make of these workers. Are they undocumented? And what about the three daughters, particularly Mari, the oldest, who is proud of her Mexican heritage but also increasingly connected her American life. Her family lives in constant fear of being discovered by the authorities and sent back to the poverty they left behind in Mexico. Can Tyler and Mari find a way to be friends despite their differences?

    In a novel full of hope, but no easy answers, Julia Alvarez weaves a beautiful and timely story that will stay with readers long after they finish it.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateSep 14, 2010
    ISBN9780307707314
    Unavailable
    Return to Sender
    Author

    Julia Alvarez

    Born in New York City in 1950, Julia Alvarez’s parents took her back to their native country, the Dominican Republic, shortly after her birth. Ten years later, the family was forced to flee to the US because of her father’s involvement in a plot to overthrow the dictator Rafael Trujillo. Alvarez has written many bestselling novels including: How the García Girls Lost Their Accents, In the Time of the Butterflies, ¡Yo!, In the Name of Salomé, and Afterlife. She has also written collections of poems, non-fiction, and numerous books for young readers. The Cemetery of Untold Stories is her most recent novel. Her awards and recognitions include the Pura Belpré and Américas Awards for her books for young readers, the Hispanic Heritage Award, and the F. Scott Fitzgerald Award. In 2013, she received the National Medal of Arts from President Obama.

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    Reviews for Return to Sender

    4/5

    130 ratings20 reviews

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    • 4/5
      A girl and her family living illegally in America. Everyday they are worried that they are going to get caught by the police and deported back to Mexico. This girl is Maria and she lives with her 2 American sisters, her Mexican dad and her 2 Mexican uncles. Everyday Maria watches the phone, waiting for a call from her Mexican mother who had to travel back to Mexico. She wants her mother back. When Maria's family moves to New Hampshire from their home in North Carolina, Maria is worried that they might never get to see their mother again. I think that the author did a really nice job incorporating the different aspects of Mexican traditions into a story about an American lifestyle. I think that the author also did a really nice job with the way that he kept the family's fear of getting deported ever present, but not overwhelmingly so. I would definitely recommend this book for people who like suspenseful and happy, heartwarming stories.
    • 4/5
      Julia Alvarez puts a human face on the complex issue of illegal immigration and struggling farmers. Tyler isn't so sure his parents have made the right decision hiring three undocumented Mexican men to help save their dairy farm. Mari, the oldest daughter of one of the men, worries about her mother who's vanished at the border and about keeping her family out of the hands of "la migra." Tyler and Mari eventually become friends: Tyler now has greater understanding of the issues facing his and Mari's families; and Mari develops a stronger voice and spirit thanks to the aid that American friends provide in times of crisis. The tone at times is didactic; there's no mistaking which side the author supports in the immigration debate. But what this book does best is introduce a complex national issue to young readers at a level they can understand.
    • 3/5
      Well written. Told from 2 viewpoints. Northern, Vermont setting.
      Immigration.
    • 5/5
      The story is told from the perspective of Tyler and Maria. Tyler is a U.S. son of farmer and Maria is undocumented daughter to undocumented parents working their way on the East coast. Tyler and Maria develop a friendship because their families merge under dire circumstances. Her family is working and constantly looking over their shoulders for authorities and under scrutiny for working illegally in the country. The characters are well developed because they do portray sentiments of communities across the nation. Some believe they help our economy and they productive members of society. And others believe they take jobs from Americans and by being in the country illegally they are "Illegal" themselves. Story does a great job when bringing up issues of immigration, family, culture and American values.
    • 4/5
      This was a very thoughtful book directed towards young readers (late elementary school? middle school?) and from the perspective of two young main characters about how the immigration system in the U.S. is unjust and does not work. Plus Julia Alvarez gets kudos for being almost fully accurate in describing how things work when an undocumented immigrant is arrested (I practice immigration law so this would have driven me nuts if it weren't accurate).
    • 5/5
      Tyler and Maria are from two different worlds. Maria and her family are illegal immigrants who have come to Tyler's families farm to work. When they are united these young kids persevere through the challenges that set them apart all the while gaining strength from their similarities. Touching on some real issues this book looks at some unfortunate circumstances, realities for some, yet at the same time shares the story of a beautiful friendship that knows no bounds. A heart warming story.
    • 3/5
      Tyler's grandfather passed away, and not long after, his dad had a serious accident on their Vermont dairy farm. With the high medical bills for his father's recuperation and the hard work needed to run the farm, the family reaches out and quietly hires three migrant Mexican workers to help, so they don't have to sell the place. When the men arrive, the family is surprised to see three little girls get out of the car with them, but Tyler's parents welcome them and help them get what they need for themselves and the children. Tyler's lonely grandma especially enjoys the girls' company. Told from multiple points of view, this is story about the immigration debate that makes all sides easier to understand, as each has something to lose and something to fear, as well as much to gain. Part of the story is told through the oldest sister Mari's letters to her missing mother and her grandmother in Mexico, and the immigration experiences she describes are frightening at times. Tyler's family needs the men who work, who need to make money to support their family back in Mexico, but there are people who believe that anyone here illegally should be deported or worse... including old Mr. Rosetti, who seems out to get them. Friendship, citizenship, and hope for a better solution make this a worthwhile and thought-provoking story. 6th grade and up.
    • 3/5
      The story "Return to Sender" is mostly about the life and a family whose providers are illegal immigration workers. In a Vermont dairy farm a boy's family, Tyler Paquette, were discussing about selling the family farm, which has been around in his father's family for a long time yet due to an injury his father received in an accident on the farm the family didn't know what to do, but consider in selling the farm. To avoid selling the farm, they hired a family group of three brothers who came from North Carolina to work. The three brothers who were of a Hispanic race and they did not have any have legal papers in the United States. The oldest brother had three daughters along with him, of those three, two were born here in the US while the oldest daughter, a sixth grader like Tyler, was born in Mexico. This is a touching story of how different members of the two total different families deal with the immigration situation and how complicated life can get when your trying to hold a secret that could cost you to be a separated from your family and a family who can get in major trouble by the law for the people they hired to help them in their situation.
    • 4/5
      The story is basically about the ramifications of illegal immigra workers. A Vermont dairy farm boy's family, Tyler Paquette, is considering selling the family farm because his father was hurt in a accident. Instead, they hire a family group - three brothers- to come from North Carolina to work. These Mexican workers do not have legal papers. The oldest brother also has his three daughters with him - two born in the US. The oldest daughter, a sixth grader like Tyler, was born in Mexico.It's a touching story of how various members of the two famlies deal with the immigration situation.
    • 5/5
      Awesome book and great storyline!
    • 3/5
      I tend to find myself underwhelmed by Alvarez, and this is no exception. The main characters are likable, but the book is just too preachy to be really enjoyable. Still, we need books now more than ever that handle the immigration issue sensitively. This is another book that would be a good cornerstone to a project where students talk to older immigrants.
    • 5/5
      A friend recommended this book, and I became a fan of Julia Alvarez's work. I was hooked from page one because she writes such wonderful characters who have depth, heart and very real struggles. Her word choice and voice can easily speak for many people who are in a situation like in the novel. As I read, i found that what Mari, the protagonist, shared and expressed in her letters and diary were words I wish I had or found myself saying, "Yes. That's so true." Alvarez writes a powerful story that I had to know what happened to Mari. I also appreciated that she allowed Mari and Tyler, another main character, to become genuine friends without throwing in a romantic angle. This is a book that I will buy for several friends and one that I will read again. Like Pam Munoz Ryan's Esperanza Rising (another favorite of mine), this is story that all should read for she presents wisdom and truths that everyone can learn and gain.
    • 4/5
      Tyler is the son of a Vermont farmer who is injured and struggling to make ends meet. That's when Mari's family comes to work for them, allowing them to keep open the farm. Mari and her parents are illegal immigrants from Mexico, but her two youngest siblings are American siblings. The two families form strong relationships as they realize their similarities. This novel depicts the difficult reality many families face without offering any clear answers.ALA-Pura Belpre Award 2010This could be used to show different perspectives books can be written from, as it alternates between a third-person omniscient perspective when writing about Tyler's side of the story and a first person perspective in Mari's letters and diary entries. Also, it shows the human side of a controversial issue, which is one thing I think stories do best.
    • 5/5
      Tyler loves his farm. When his father is injured in a farming accident and he realizes they may have to sell the farm, Tyler loses it. His parents hustle him off to his aunt and uncle's house. When he returns his parents inform him they have found a way to save the farm. What they don't tell him is why he can't tell anyone about the Mexicans who are helping his father out. Tyler learns the truth about the three men and three young girls who live in the trailor. He has mixed feelings about harboring illegal aliens, until he gets to meet them. How far will he go to protect and help them? This was a wonderful story. I teach ESOL and figure that not all of the students I teach are probably legal. However, nothing irks me more than to have students look at a Mexican in one of our classes, whether they are Americans or not and make the comment that these illegal immigrants are stealing all of the American's jobs. When I tell that student that maybe we should send them all back and that way people like him would have a job, I wait. I know what will be coming. "Darn right. Then I could work and earn money and my uncle wouldn't be out of work." The statements go on and on. I look at them and smile and when they are finished I smile and say, "Exactly! If we gave those jobs to Americans we could get more off of the welfare roles. After all they are American fields and they should be worked by Americans young and old." You can usually hear a pin drop. "Wait a minute Miss, I ain't gonna work in no field." I usually laugh. "Really what job were you planning on taking over since they would be vacating the position?" "I want to work in an office or something Miss". That is when I usually break the news to them that the very people he wants to send back are the ones that would love to be able to work in an office. They are the ones who are willing to work in the fields to give their families a better life.
    • 3/5
      Everything's changing on Tyler's family's Vermont dairy farm. After his father had the accident and Tyler's older brother went to college, Tyler's dad had to hire workers from Mexico to help with the milking. At first Tyler is appalled their their family would hire illegal aliens, but once he gets to know Mari, daughter of one of the workers, he begins to change his mind. Mari writes letters to her mother who has been missing for months and might be dead. The alternating viewpoints give a well-rounded story about an important and relevant issue, but the format didn't work so well for me. I found it jarring to go back and forth between Mari's first-person, past-tense letters and Tyler's sections which were in the third person present tense. I liked Mari's portions, but I didn't connect as much with Tyler.
    • 4/5
      Return to Sender by Julia Alvarez, captures the enduring struggles and fears many undocumented workers face in the United States. The story begins and takes place on the Paquette’s dairy farm in Vermont. Tyler Paquette’s father suffers a tractor accident and is unable to complete the daily laborious farm duties. The family decides to hire a Mexican migrant family as workers to save the farm from going out of business. Twelve-year-old Tyler is torn between loyalty to his country and helping the migrants from being deported. Return to Sender, is told by the perspectives of Tyler and twelve-year-old Mari, one of the migrant's daughters. Although Tyler and Mari’s backgrounds are different, their lives are somewhat similar. Both of them struggle with issues and challenges way out of their control. I listened to this story as an audiobook, but I think I would have enjoyed it better as a book.
    • 4/5
      Immigration is the subject matter -- the hard, confusing, many aspects and terrors and possibilities that come from trying to navigate US immigration. Alvarez tells a story with a lot of heart, a lot of every day heroes, and an amazing amount of hope, given how devastating the reality for many families is right now. If you are looking for multiple viewpoints and a lot of room for empathy, this is a great book to read together and talk about.

      ***a teacher pointed out to me that there is an implied rape in the book -- this is true. I do not think that most kids will catch it -- the references are subtle and it is never explicitly discussed.
    • 3/5
      Tyler and his family own a dairy farm in Vermont, but with his dad injured in an accident and not at full strength, they're in danger of losing it. But when his parents hire three Mexican brothers, these hard-working men - one of whom brought his three daughters - are going to help them keep the farm. The third-person narrative keeps close to Tyler POV for part of the chapter, and then switches to the oldest girl, Mari, as she writes letters to family and in her diary.I had a hard time with this book, and I'm trying to put my finger on why. I think the main thing was that I was not the audience, and the author seemed to have an uncomfortable balance she was trying to make between what she thought would be age-appropriate for an eleven-year-old and talking about the plight of undocumented immigrants. Mari glosses over, for example, the actual trek from Mexico to North Carolina when she was a child; granted, her parents probably didn't tell her much about it. And there are other moments where an adult reader would know exactly what was being referenced, but it would be largely lost to a child as it was to Tyler and Mari. My main critique is that a lot of things that could have been more nuanced were oversimplified, but I feel uncomfortable with that analysis because 1. I really don't know all that much about undocumented workers on Vermont dairy farms while the author clearly does and 2. the intended audience for the book is much younger than me. Secondarily, I thought the structure of the book with Tyler's more narrative and Mari's letters, was disjointed and often led to some awkward leaps in time with the characters looking back on events that weren't included in a straightforward narrative. A mixed bag for me, but maybe a good way to introduce elementary-age kids to a complex issue.
    • 4/5
      With their dairy farm struggling to succeed after an accident, Tyler's parents decide to hire a family originally from Mexico to help out. But Tyler is warned not to tell anyone about this decision, given that the family is undocumented. At first Tyler is not comfortable with this course of action, but when he becomes friends with Maria, the oldest daughter in the family, he begins to see things differently.The book is told in alternating chapters between Tyler's perspective and Maria's, which I think helps with an empathy factor as well as getting a broader perspective on the events unfolding in the plot. Tyler's parts are told in a third person point-of-view narrative, whereas Maria's are epistolary in nature. In the beginning, this could be very clunky, such as when she is writing to a relative and describes to him what happened at his legal hearing -- a hearing where he was present and she was not. Later, she gets a diary and writes in there, which seems like a better route to take to make the narrative smoother and more logical.This book tackles very important issues about immigration and attempts to help readers understand that people are people everywhere and no one should be "illegal." There were times, especially in the beginning, where this felt a little heavy handed, although I guess that can be a little fair when the book is intended for younger readers. Set in 2005-2006, this book makes references that can be a little dated (e.g., I'm not sure that current middle-grade students would catch on to the subtle allusion to Barbara and Jenna Bush) and some situations regarding immigration have changed since then.Because there were so many meaty issues addressed in this book, it was impossible for it to end entirely happily -- especially if it wanted to remain in the realm of realism. It did, however, manage to stay largely positive in the end. But there was one situation in which it was heavily implied that an adult character was raped and I felt that such sexual violence was a bit much for a children's book, especially if it wasn't really going to be explored but just hinted at vaguely. The characters in this book all won me over eventually (even the crotchety old man) and were endearing. They made the book worthwhile and kept me interested. For audiobook listeners, this one is read by Ozzie Rodriguez for Tyler's sections and Olivia Preciado for Maria's parts; both readers did a good job.
    • 4/5
      Because Tyler’s dad has an accident at the farm, the Paquettes have no choice but to hire illegal Mexican workers if they want to keep farming. At first Tyler does not know what to make of these workers. Why would his father, a patriotic man, do something so illegal? Soon, however, Tyler befriends the oldest daughter of one of the workers. The daughter, Mari, is in Tyler’s sixth grade class. Mari’s sisters, Luby and Ofie, are American citizens. What will the happen if Mari’s family be caught by la migra?Return to Sender is fantastic read. In no way does Return to Sender say illegal immigration is okay. What it does is show that illegal immigrants are just human beings and need to be treated like ones. This novel shows the hardships illegal Mexicans must endure and addresses why they come illegally.Return to Sender also included the story of the Cruz sisters’ struggle between being American and being Mexican. Mari, being born in Mexico, has always been the closest to her Mexican heritage, but at the farm, she realizes that she is perfectly happy to be in America. Luby and Ofie, on the other hand, are forgetting their Spanish. Sometimes, Mari even has to be the translator between her sisters and her father. Because the sisters’ struggle is not the main point of the story, Alvarez barely addresses it. Luckily, the end naturally gives a satisfying conclusion to the story.What I loved most about Return to Sender was that Alvarez did not sugarcoat anything. By this, I mean she wrote realistically. Many of the things that happen in the story are frightening, and the end is bittersweet. I believe that Return to Sender has the power to change people’s opinions on illegal immigration, and I would definitely recommend Return to Sender, especially to middle schoolers.