Becoming Naomi León

Naomi León lives with her great-grandmother and younger brother Owen in a California trailer park, where she spends her days carving soap figures and helping care for Owen. Their orderly world shifts when their mother Skyla returns after a seven-year absence. The siblings and their great-grandmother Mary embark on an urgent journey to Mexico, searching for the children's father while navigating legal and personal challenges. Their quest takes them to Oaxaca during the Night of the Radishes festival, where art, family traditions, and identity intersect. Between California and Mexico, Naomi must find her voice and determine what family truly means. Through carving, creativity, and courage, she discovers her own strength while protecting the bonds that matter most. This middle-grade novel explores themes of belonging, cultural heritage, and personal growth as a young girl learns to stand up for herself and her loved ones.

Readers connect with the authenticity of Naomi's character growth and her relationship with her grandmother. Teachers and parents report the book resonates with middle grade students, particularly those dealing with family challenges or identity issues. Readers appreciated: - The incorporation of Mexican culture and Spanish language - The realistic portrayal of complex family dynamics - The carved soap animals as a metaphor for finding strength - The balance between serious themes and hopeful moments Common criticisms: - Pacing feels slow in the first third - Some found the resolution too neat - A few readers wanted more development of secondary characters Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (14,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (380+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 "The protagonist's quiet determination stayed with me long after finishing," wrote one Goodreads reviewer. Another noted: "This book handles difficult subjects with care while remaining accessible to young readers."

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🦁 The soap carving featured in the novel reflects a real Mexican folk art tradition called "tallado en jabón," which has been practiced for generations 🎨 Author Pam Muñoz Ryan has won numerous awards, including the Pura Belpré Medal, and has written over 40 books for young readers 🇲🇽 Oaxaca, where part of the story takes place, is famous for its indigenous craft traditions, particularly its intricate wood carvings called "alebrijes" 📝 The protagonist's unique surname "Outlaw" was inspired by Ryan's research into uncommon family names in the American Southwest 🦋 The book's themes of transformation and identity are symbolically represented through monarch butterflies, which migrate between Mexico and California like Naomi's journey