Being Puerto Rican and American, Nuyorican Children's Voices

Twenty-four Puerto Rican children in the first, third, and fifth grades describe their own experiences living in New York City. How do they feel about being raised Puerto Rican in America? What do they think about people who are not Puerto Rican? How do they think everyone else perceives them? And, most importantly, what does it mean to be Puerto Rican? These "Nuyorican" children (Puerto Rican children growing up in New York) eagerly share rich and important stories about their families, friends, and themselves. As intriguing and individual as the children that tell them, each story will help children and adults to understand and value their unique position in today's society. Abigail McNamee, Ed.D., Ph.D., is a professor and department chair in the Department of Early Childhood and Childhood Education at Lehman College, City University of New York. Her experience working as a child development specialist has spurred her curiosity about, and respect for, children's perspectives on the world and has inspired her to write this book which grew out of a larger research study currently being published. Dr. McNamee has recently completed a series of picture books for children and is planning to continue her career as a teacher and a writer.