A Day's Work by Eve Bunting

Title: A Day's Work

Author: Eve Bunting

Targeted Age Group: Ages 4-8 & Grades K-3

*Latino/a story*

Summary: A Day's Work captures the intergenerational love shared between the abuelo and his nephew. A boy named Francisco tries to find work for his abuelo (grandfather) who has just moved to California to live with Francisco and his mother. His abuelo is originally from Mexico and speaks limited English. Thus, Francisco serves as his abuelo's interpreter and persuades Ben to hire his abuelo as a gardener for a day's work. In order to get hired, Francisco lies that his abuelo is skilled gardener when in fact he is actually a carpenter. Abuelo gets upset when he learns the truth about Francisco's lie.

How to Use the Book Within the Classroom: In grades K-3, the story can be used to get students to discuss about intergenerational differences they have experienced with their own grandparents. Even though the targeted age group is ages 4-8, I feel that this book can also be used in a sixth grade classroom to introduce the issue of immigration and work.