Becoming Naomi Leon

Ryan, Pam Munoz. 2004. BECOMING NAOMI LEON. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc.
ISBN 0439269695

*Plot Summary

As Naomi Outlaw struggles to understand her parents, with the help of her great-grandmother, brother, and a few friends, she comes to appreciate her family and her life in Lemon Tree, California.

*Critical Analysis

Pam Munoz Ryan’s novel, BECOMING NAOMI LEON, features well-developed characters which make the book believable and draw readers into the story. Both narration and dialogue work together to reveal these characters. Eleven year old Naomi is the protagonist and narrator. In Naomi, Ryan creates a smart and self-aware character that has an authentic voice throughout the novel. As events in the novel unfold, Naomi experiences significant internal growth yet she remains relatable, and her changes seem genuine, not forced.

Her brother Owen is also a multi-dimensional character; he is an FLK (funny looking kid) who “contrary to people’s first opinions…got the best grades in class.” Likewise, Naomi’s Gram is caring and zany without being over the top in any regard. She loves to watch “Wheel of Fortune,” makes clothes for Naomi and Owen, and has loyal friendships with her neighbors, Fabiola and Ricardo, in the Avocado Acres trailer park.

The characters also represent cultural markers in the novel. Fabiola and Bernardo Morales are originally from Oaxaca City, Mexico, and both speak Spanish. Naomi’s father, Santiago, lives in Mexico. Naomi takes “after the Mexican side of the family” and has a “predisposition to brown-ness (eyes, hair, and skin).” Meanwhile, her brother Owen favors the Oklahoma side of the family and has fair skin and blonde hair. Also, the names of other characters are cultural markers – Blanca, Ruben, Flora, Pedro, and Graciela.

Just as the characters are believable, so is the plot. The series of events unfold logically and has enough action and suspense to keep readers interested. The voice of Naomi makes the storyline personal. The problem, climax, and resolution are all clearly defined. In the resolution, readers will find a hopeful ending without an emphasis on circumstances being perfect – she doesn’t live with either of her parents, she still wears mostly homemade clothes, she lives in an Airstream trailer. Cultural markers are also apparent in the plot. The family travels from California to Mexico in an attempt to resolve issues with Skyla, Naomi’s mother. Much of the action in Mexico revolves around a traditional festival in Oaxaca City. Naomi’s understanding of her Mexican heritage is also an important part of the plot.

The setting of the novel moves from Lemon Tree, California to Oaxaca City, Mexico. More specific settings include Naomi’s elementary school, the trailer park, and the Oaxacan neighborhood of Jalatlaco. These settings and changes in settings are important to the development of the plot and the characters, particularly Naomi. In Mexico, Naomi finds her father and learns about herself as well. The setting is also effective in its universal appeal; readers will find familiarity in the settings and the situations that occur there – fitting in at school, town celebration or holiday, people in the neighborhood. Cultural markers are plentiful within the setting of the novel. Ryan uses great detail to explain and describe the change in setting from California to Mexico; however, these details do not overwhelm the storyline. Readers learn about the Oaxaca City, the barrio of Jalatlaco, and the local celebration/ holiday of the Night of the Radishes.

The themes of the novel include family, fitting in, friendship, and acceptance. These themes are revealed through conflict and self-discovery that Naomi experiences. Ryan’s style in this novel is revealed through a good balance of realistic dialogue and wonderfully descriptive narration. The book is divided into two sections representing the past and the present; the book ends with a description of the future. The mood of the novel is both serious and playful. The subject matter calls for many serious scenes – Skyla’s sudden appearance, Naomi finding Santiago, and a custody hearing in court. However, Naomi’s voice is true to an imaginative eleven-year old; she uses interesting figures of speech and description that not only make the story come to life, but also keep the novel from being overly serious.

Cultural markers also add to the style. For example, Ryan’s use of Spanish, especially in the second half of the novel when the family is in Mexico, affects the style and flow of the story. As Naomi is discovering herself, she is also learning about Mexico and her father; her understanding and interest in Spanish seems to mirror this as well.

*Response

Since I had previously read (and loved) Ryan’s novel ESPERANZA RISING, I was especially excited to read this book. This novel is different in many ways from ESPERANZA RISING; however, I enjoyed the story and all the interesting and varied characters in this book. I think that children will enjoy this book, and I look forward to recommending it in the library.

*Review Excerpts

“Naomi's matter-of-fact narrative is suffused with her worries and hopes, along with her protective love for her brother and great-grandmother. Ryan's sure-handed storytelling and affection for her characters convey a clear sense of Naomi's triumph, as she becomes ‘who I was meant to be.’”Kirkus *Starred Review*

“Ryan has written a moving book about family dynamics. While she explores the youngsters' Mexican heritage and gives a vivid picture of life in and the art of Oaxaca, her story is universal, showing the strong bonds and love that make up an extended family. All of the characters are well drawn, and readers will share Naomi's fear until the judge makes the final decision about her future.”
School Library Journal

“Sharing her protagonist's love of language, artistic sensibility and keen sensitivity, Ryan creates a tender tale about family love and loyalty.”
Publishers Weekly

*Connections

-Conduct research on the trip from California to Oaxaca City, Mexico.
-Discuss Naomi’s relationship with her mother. Why does she still wish for her mother even at the end of the novel?
-Read another book by Pam Munoz Ryan – such as ESPERANZA RISING – and compare and contrast the two books.
-Do journal writing regarding families. How is Naomi’s family different/the same from your own?
-Conduct research on Oaxaca City, Mexico. What might Naomi’s life be like if she lived there with her father?