Synopses & Reviews
Hannah loves her friend Isabel because Isabel is big like a grownup, but she plays with Hannah like a friend. Hannah loves Isabel because Isabel doesnandrsquo;t criticize. Sheandrsquo;s never in a hurry. Sheandrsquo;s always ready to play any game Hannah wants to play. Andandmdash;unlike other grownups and some bigger kidsandmdash;she doesnandrsquo;t tell Hannah what to do.
And Hannahandrsquo;s not the only one who thinks that Isabel is wonderful. On Isabelandrsquo;s birthday, everyone on Gold Street recognizes that Isabel is the neighborhoodandrsquo;s real treasure.
Review
"Hannah and Isabel are friends. Like Hannah, Isabel speaks both English and Spanish. Hannah thinks playing with Isabel is wonderful. But when an older girl points out that Isabel is "too old" to play with, Hannah realizes that her friend is different. Isabel is, after all, an adult. Simultaneously a sensitive treatment of the mentally challenged and a celebration of the real-life Isabel, this 2004 Skipping Stones Award winning title is best suited for independent readers. The text flows smoothly in both English and Spanish. The unsentimental tone of the text makes this a good introduction to the subject of the mentally challenged."and#151;Crand#237;ticas
"Employing simple declarative sentences and a distinctly childand#8217;s-eye view, Byrd creates a full and subtle treatment of the interaction of a mentally disabled woman and the neighbors and family members who surround her. Byrdand#8217;s tale evokes not simply Isabeland#8217;s circumscribed but happy life, but also the life stages of 'ordinary' children as they grow through differing attitudes toward the disabled. The illustrations are a fascinating combination of the vivid portraiture of Castro L. laid upon the cheery, Sunday-comics-style backgrounds of his son Castro Hand#133;An excellent introduction to the value of some of our societyand#8217;s least appreciated citizens."and#151;Kirkus Reviews
"This is at once a sensitive treatment of the mentally challenged and a celebration of the real-life Isabel. Best suited for independent readers, the text flows smoothly in both English and in the informed Spanish translation. The unsentimental tone of the text makes this a good introduction to the subject and could serve as a discussion starter."and#151;School Library Journal
"Based on a true story about a mentally retarded woman, this story speaks to readers about power of friendship and its abilities to overcome physical challenges and age-related differencesand#133;Creative illustrations and background depict a multi-cultural set of characters ranging in age from a baby to an old woman. This book, with text in both Spanish and English and its careful treatment of mental retardation, will help to round out any classroom or library collection." and#151;Children's Literature
"Written by an active member of the National Association of the Mentally Ill, and brought to life with heartwarming color illustrations by Antonio Castrol L., THE TREASURE ON GOLD STREET is very highly recommended"andmdash;Midwest Book Review
"This book is rich in many kinds of community. Isabel inspires loveand#151;and her story is sure to as well. From the bilingual format to the unusual heroine to the lively illustrations, which combine cartoon and realismand#151;this is a unique book for children, and for those who inspire them to read." and#151;New Mexico Magazine
Synopsis
Five-year-old Hannah discovers that her neighborhood's treasure is a mentally disabled woman.
About the Author
Novelist and publisher Lee Merrill Byrd has published a collection of short stories, My Sister Disappears (SMU Press), two children's books, The Treasure on Gold Street and Lover Boy (Cinco Puntos) and a novel Riley's Fire (Algonquin). In 2005, she and her husband received Cultural Freedom Fellowships from the Lannan Foundation. Antonio Castro L. was born in Zacatecas, Mexico and has lived in the Juarez-El Paso area for most of his life. He has illustrated dozens of childrens' books including Pand#225;jaro Verde and Treasure on Gold Street.