My Name Is Maria Isabel

By Alma Flor Ada

Illustrated by K. Dyble Thompson

American Bookseller

“Pick of the List”

Genre Focus: Realistic Fiction

Realistic characters and events come to life in a fictional plot

Selection Summary

New in school, Maria Isabel doesn’t respond when her teacher calls her Mary and so she will miss out on the Christmas pageant. After much worry, she finally explains the importance of her family name to her teacher in an essay, and the teacher asks “Maria Isabel” to participate.

Key Vocabulary

attentively troublesome

disappointed latkes

misunderstanding menorah

nervously pageant

Attentively- with attention or alertness

The class listened attentively as the student spoke.

Disappointed- feeling like things didn’t go the way you wanted The girl was

disappointed that she couldn’t go to her friend’s house.

Misunderstanding- a failure to understand

A small misunderstanding can cause some serious problems.

Nervously- with concern, worry, or fear

The man nervously paced around the room waiting to hear if he got the job.

Troublesome- causing problems

The diver knew he was in a troublesome situation.

Latkes- potato pancakes eaten at Hanukkah

The chef was busy flipping the latkes for the family’s breakfast.

Pageant- a play based on events in history

Everyone who saw the pageant thought it was a huge success.

Menorah- a candlestick with 9 branches used in Jewish worship

Each day the family lit another candle on the menorah.

Strategies and Skills

Maria Isabel has a difficult problem to solve. As you read, stop several times to predict what you think she will do next. Then predict what you think the results will be.

Comprehension Skill Focus:Predicting Outcomes

Good readers are always thinking as they read. They note details as they read so they can predict what might happen next. You’re going to complete a prediction chart to develop this skill.

Prediction Chart

Details About Maria Isabel

Maria at School What Maria Likes

Maria’s Life atHome

What Maria Wishes

What will happen in next year’s pageant?

Prediction Chart

Details About Maria Isabel

Maria At School Doesn’t have a part in

play

What Maria Likes Her full name

Maria’s Life at Home

What Maria Wishes

What will happen in next year’s pageant?

Enjoy reading Selection 1.

Check out www.eduplace.com for more activities related to this story.