Xenia Navarro and the Magic Ants
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Recommended Reading
Xenia Navarro and the Magic Ants
by Milagros Darling and Lois Wickstrom
American sixth grader, Xenia Navarro lives with her Mexican mother, an undocumented resident, and her older brother Lucas in Pennsylvania. Her American father was killed while on duty in Iraq, but before marrying Xenia’s mother. Now their mother has been arrested and is about to be deported. Family drama becomes American politics, mixed with a touch of science fiction. Reading age 8 to 12.
Written By : JJ Carroll, curator of Historic Books for KidsFrom https://historicbooksforkids.com/articles/b/coming-to-america-celebrate-citizenship-day-on-september-17-2023
Midwest Book Review
Family drama exacerbated by American politics and the issues of deportation and America’s broken immigration system, “Xenia Navarro and the Magic Ants” is thoroughly appropriate for young readers ages 8-12. … highly recommended for elementary school, middle school, and community library collections.
Tanya Wall
5.0 out of 5 stars Family
Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2023
I have enjoyed every one of Lois Wickstrom’s books and this one did not disappoint. This is a story about a little girl who loses her father. He is killed before he marries her mother. He is a US Citizen and mom is not. This leaves Xenia’s mother with an undocumented status which causes the family to make some hard decisions in order to remain in the US. While this is an integral theme of the story, Xenia also is involved throughout with the school science fair and begins studying ants. Having worked with children in similar circumstances as Xenia and seeing how they can face such hard situations at home and still have a love of learning gave me a connection to the story here.
Christina Ford
5.0 out of 5 stars Wow
Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2023
This is a fantastic book and aimed for kids a little older than the cover seems to show. This book tackles really heavy stuff like illegal immigration, racism and multiple cultures. It also keeps it fun with magic ants and school projects. I have read quite a few of Lois Wickstrom’s books and this is by far my favorite and the most needed.
Tanya Wall
5.0 out of 5 stars Family
Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2023
I have enjoyed every one of Lois Wickstrom’s books and this one did not disappoint. This is a story about a little girl who loses her father. He is killed before he marries her mother. He is a US Citizen and mom is not. This leaves Xenia’s mother with an undocumented status which causes the family to make some hard decisions in order to remain in the US. While this is an integral theme of the story, Xenia also is involved throughout with the school science fair and begins studying ants. Having worked with children in similar circumstances as Xenia and seeing how they can face such hard situations at home and still have a love of learning gave me a connection to the story here.
Ashley Mertz
Xenia Navarro and the Magical Ants is a chapter book geared towards young readers. Wickstrom and Darling do an amazing job discussing some difficult topics: deportation, living in poverty, family drama and all of the effects these situations have on children. I thoroughly enjoyed the insight to hispanic culture and how some Spanish terminology was used throughout. Even though this book touched on many tough topics it was also filled with hope and magic allowing the reader to look forward to a positive ending. I would highly recommend this book to children approx. 3rd through 6th grade age level.