The Magic Paper

This easy-to-understand reader is part of the acclaimed Hopes and Dreams historical novel series, designed specifically for English learners and newcomers to the United States. Each novel follows a different immigrant family navigating the challenges of prejudice, danger, loss, and rebuilding in a new country.

Plot Summary for The Magic Paper

This is the story of Teresa Garcia and Benito Cruz, two Mexican-Americans. In 1980 Teresa buys a fake visa and comes alone to Los Angeles to care for her sick aunt. Then she stays, working in a dress factory to send money home to Mexico. Benito crawls through a pipe into California, where he works as a migrant farmworker. They meet and fall in love. Benito moves to Los Angeles and works in a factory. They want to marry, but they can’t because they are illegal.

They work hard and save money to go to Mexico and bring Teresa’s sister back. Finally they have enough money, but when they go to Mexico City, there is a great earthquake. Teresa’s whole family is killed. They come back to the U.S. illegally. They continue to work hard and wait until a new law lets them apply to get the magic paper, to become legal, and to get married. At last, they feel safe.

Features

• Free accompanying AUDIO program, available to download from https://www.prolingualearning.com/ or to stream on https://www.youtube.com/@ProLinguaLearningAudio
• Includes a downloadable Sample Lesson for classroom or independent study
• Includes a downloadable Teacher’s Guide with a Plot Summary, Discussion Questions, Historical Photos, and Detailed Background
• Includes downloadable ready-to-use classroom activities: What Did You Read? Form, Book Report Form, Word Play, and Fill-in-the-Blanks Review Activities
• Ideal for reading, discussion, and cross-cultural understanding in ESL or citizenship programs

Also in the “Hopes and Dreams” Series

• The Family from Vietnam: Vietnamese-Americans
• A Different Home: Cuban Americans
• For Gold and Blood: Chinese-Americans
• Hungry No More: Irish-Americans
• Nobody Knows: African-Americans
• The Magic Paper: Mexican-Americans
• Sent Away: Japanese-Americans
• Little Italy: Italian-Americans
• Old Ways, New Ways: Jewish-Americans
• Neighbors: A Family from El Salvador
• Two Hearts: Irish-Americans