Becoming Naomi León by Pam Muñoz Ryan

Pam Muñoz Ryan

Becoming Naomi León

2005

Naomi and Owen live pleasant lives with their grandmother in California until one day their mother, Skyla as she now likes to be called, comes back after seven years. Her arrival causes her children to ask many questions. It is not until they come back from one of Owen’s regular checkups that their mother becomes angry and tries to force Naomi to go with her and Clive (Skyla’s current boy friend) to Las Vegas. Naomi believes that the only reason Skyla and Clive want her to come is so that Clive can have a babysitter for his eleven year old daughter who he renamed Sapphire. Naomi doesn’t believe she is anything special, but Gram is determined to fight for her and Owen and gain rightful guardianship. Following the confrontation with Skyla, Gram takes the kids on a crazy journey, accompanied by their neighbors to the city of Oaxaca, Mexico. Naomi is determined to find her father there, whom she and her brother have not seen in many years. In the end Naomi finds her father, Gram is granted guardianship and life returns to what it was before, but now, Naomi knows who she is.

Pgs 246

Children’s Novel

Reading Level: 9 - 12

Interest Level 9-12

-Good for young adults who feel they need another young person to look up to

-Has a good message, helps readers understand that they are more then they seem

-Good story, fast read