Soto, Gary. The Skirt. Delacorte Books for Young Readers (2008). ISBN-10: 0385306652

Plot Summary

The Skirt, written by Gary Soto, is the story of a Latina, Miata, who believes that the world will end if she does not perform in her dance recital. After losing her mother’s skirt, she makes a series of bad choices. She lies to cover up the fact that she took the skirt onto the bus even after he mother told her not to. In the end, however, she learns an important lesson.

Critical Evaluation

This book is unique in the sense that the main character is a not only a female, but she is also a Latina. The book is short, easy to read, and very appealing to young girls. Throughout the book, Soto describes the hurdles that Miata must go through to finally find the skirt she has lost. The story does a wonderful job exposing children to a different culture, and showing children that they are similar not matter what their nationality.

Reader's Annotation

Young Miata learns a valuable lesson after losing her mother’s skirt.

About the Author

As a child, Gary Soto never thought he would ever become a writer. He did know, however, that he did not want to work in the fields of Fresno, California.

When Soto was a young child, he suffered the loss of his Father, Manuel, who lost his life in a tragic industrial accident. After his father’s death, Soto’s family was left without any money, so they eventually moved to the San Joaquin Valley in search of work. Because his mother was an immigrant, and she had very little education, she began work “picking oranges, cotton, and grapes for very little pay.” She also accepted jobs at the packing houses of local business, which was often dangerous work. Gary, grew up very poor, and he lived in some of the poorest and most dangerous neighborhoods.

His experiences growing up are the subject and setting of many of his works. These include Baseball in April and Other Stories, Fearless Fernie, Canto Familiar, and Jesse.

Genre

Realistic Fiction

Curriculum Ties

Language Arts, Social Sciences, Art

Booktalking Ideas

Miata has lot her mother’s prized skirt! Although her mother tells her not to, Miata brings the skirt on the bus. Now, she is worried not only about disappointing her mother, but also about her upcoming performance in a dance recital. Will she find the skirt in time? To find out, read Gary Soto’s The Skirt.

Reading Level/Interest Age

Ages 8+

Reason for Book Selection

Soto does an amazing job teaching children a valuable lesson in this book.