My Name is María Isabel

My Name is María Isabel

by Alma Flor Ada

This is a short story about a young girl named María Isabel Slazar Lopez, but her teacher shortened her name to Mary Lopez. María became depressed because she didn't even recognize her own name, and because she joined the class in the middle of the school year, she didn't have a part in the winter program.  After reading Charlotte's Web she writes a paper telling that her greatest wish is to be called by her given name. When her teacher realizes what has happened she gives her a special part in the winter pageant.  

What's in a name?  To some people, a name is everything.  This story reminds me that teachers should not shorten, or change names unless the child requests it.  This story would be good for use in a classroom to start a discussion about multiculturalism and a reminder of how we should all treat one another.     

 

This story is also found in grade 4, Theme 4 of the Houghton Mifflin Reading program.   

Ada, Alma Flor.  My Name is Maria Isabel. Illustrations, K. Dyble Thompson. Translation, Ana M. Cerro. Atheneum, New York. 1993.