Teach With My Work
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Brown Son of Lorca:
A Boy Reclaimed in Poems, Stories & Voice Bilingual (Limited Spanish; Primarily in English) Poetic. Personal. Politically Urgent.
Grade Range: 9–College (Ages 14+) Themes: Language & Identity • Intergenerational Silence • Latino Experience • Cultural Erasure & Reclamation • Artistic Expression Why Teach This Book
Brown Son of Lorca is an evocative collection of poetry, short prose, and performative voice that challenges students to think deeply about language, cultural survival, and the personal toll of assimilation. Told through the eyes of a boy growing up in West Texas, the work explores how silence is inherited, how language is policed, and how literature—especially a single, forgotten book—can become a lifeline back to the self. Written in a poetic and accessible style, the book invites discussion around identity, the politics of language, generational trauma, and the transformative power of literature. It is ideal for use in Ethnic Studies, English, Creative Writing, and Spanish Heritage Language courses. ✔️ Supports cross-curricular learning (ELA, Ethnic Studies, Chicano Studies) ✔️ Ideal for poetry units, identity-focused curricula, and voice workshops ✔️ Includes a performance piece suitable for classroom dramatization ✔️ Encourages student voice, self-reflection, and creative expression What’s Inside
Early Praise for Brown Son of Lorca
by S.J. Lomas The Brown Son of Lorca by Rodolfo Alvarado is a powerful and emotionally charged collection that hits at another difficult time in US history. Alvarado dares to name what he's lost in the celebrated "American melting pot": his true identity. Alvarado explores how he's been split into two different, opposing people, over the course of his life and how he's choosing to reclaim and repair his authentic self now. The book delves into the uncomfortable truth that in trying to be pleasing and safe in a white culture dominated society, he has learned to be insecure in his own mother tongue and sense of self. The words are lyrical, yet direct and powerful. This collection is not afraid to challenge the white gaze by diving into personal truth, empowerment, and authenticity. This book is what it needs to be. The joy of reclaiming what was lost. The unflinching pain of what was taken away. The fierce determination of rebirth. This is an important book for our times. A slender volume, its few pages pack an emotional punch readers won't soon forget. Author in the Classroom
Brown Son of Lorca debuted on June 9, 2025, with the author presenting selections live at La Nacional in New York City, as part of Danisarte’s tribute to Federico García Lorca, curated by actress and director Alicia Kaplan. The book’s central themes of artistic defiance and cultural voice offer educators a rare opportunity to connect performance and literature in one body of work. Order in Bulk for Classroom Use
Bulk orders and classroom discounts are available directly through the book’s publisher, Caballo Press of Ann Arbor: Email: [email protected] Invite the Author
Interested in scheduling a school visit, Q&A, or virtual talk with your students? Contact Rodolfo by clicking here. Book Details
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