MY NAME IS MARIA ISABEL by Alma Flor Ada
PAPERBACK
Author: Alma Flor Ada
Illustrator: K. Dyble Thompson
María Isabel Salazar López has just moved to a new school, and on her very first day her teacher decides to call her “Mary” instead of her full name - because there are already two other Marias in class. Suddenly, María Isabel finds herself scolded for being inattentive, overlooked for opportunities, and disconnected from her classmates, all because she cannot recognise herself in the name she’s been given.
As she quietly reflects, María Isabel understands just how much her name means: it honours her grandmothers and ties her to her family’s history. But in her new classroom, she struggles with shyness and the pain of being unheard. The turning point comes with a simple essay assignment, where she finally writes her greatest wish - to be called by her true name, María Isabel Salazar López.
In this heartfelt and beautifully told story, Alma Flor Ada captures the importance of names, identity, and cultural heritage. Through María Isabel’s journey, young readers see that a name is far more than a label - it is a reflection of belonging, dignity, and self-worth. With sensitive multicultural representation, MY NAME IS MARIA ISABEL is a short but powerful book that resonates deeply with children navigating new schools, new cultures, or simply the challenge of finding their voice.