During her professional career in education, Lopez noticed two problems that led her to create this book. First, students were unable to make connections to any literature presented in school because they had no background knowledge on the topics.  As a result, students began lacking the will to want to learn to read and continue to do it. 

 

     It was then that Lopez realized how difficult it was to find Mexican-American literature that could cultivate and attract the attention of the students.  Mexican-Americans are continuously forced towards cultural assimilation, but if students can find their identity in literature and relate to it, it will make it easier to engage them in reading.  It is Lopez’s passion to help Mexican-American students find that desire to engage in reading once again.

     Click on the lower links to find reading analysis material that can be used with Voices from the Past!!!