The Codex Mojaodicus collects three novels-in-verse --"My Sweet Conquistador," "Chaley Way," and "The Pocho Codex" -- all of which mine, mime, record and disgorge the impressions and dissertations of language as it is uttered, stuttered, and felt in a variety of tongues and heads. In these theatrical poems, Alvarez documents a multilingual field, tracing a Xicano genome over and above

Brokering Tareas examines a grassroots literacy mentoring program that connected immigrant parents with English language mentors who helped emerging bilingual children with homework and encouraged positive academic attitudes. Steven Alvarez gives an ethnographic account of literacies practices, language brokering, advocacy, community-building, and mentorship among Mexican-origin families at a neighborhood afterschool program in New York City. Alvarez argues that engaging literacy mentorship across languages can increase parental involvement and community engagement among immigrant...