43 pages 1 hour read

Judith Ortiz Cofer

Call Me Maria

Fiction | Novel/Book in Verse | YA | Published in 2004

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Call Me María by Judith Ortiz Cofer, published in 2004, follows María, a Puerto Rican teenager, as she adjusts to life in New York City and navigates her multicultural environment while living with her father. The novel, set in the 2000s, explores María's evolving identity, bilingualism, and family dynamics through a mix of prose and verse. Themes include language, poetry, and the complex relationships within her family.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Call Me Maria by Judith Ortiz Cofer is a poignant novel that captures the complexities of cultural identity and adolescence. Reviewers praise the lyrical prose and authentic portrayal of a young girl navigating life between Puerto Rico and New York. Some critics find the narrative occasionally uneven, but the emotional depth and relatable characters resonate strongly.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Call Me Maria?

A reader who enjoys Call Me Maria by Judith Ortiz Cofer is likely interested in multicultural narratives and coming-of-age stories. This reader might also appreciate books like The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros and Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan for their themes of identity, culture, and personal growth.

RecommendedReading Age

10-14years

Book Details

Genre

Realistic Fiction

Coming of Age / Bildungsroman

Themes

Society: Immigration

Relationships: Family

Identity: Language