Becoming Naomi Leon

By: Pam Munoz Ryan

Narrated by: Annie Kozuch

Length: 4 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's Summary

I always thought that the biggest trial in my life was my name, Naomi Guadalupe Zamora Outlaw, but little did I know that it was the least of my problems, or that someday I would live up to it.

One evening, everything Naomi has known with Gram and her little brother begins to unravel. Naomi's mother wants to kidnap her. Gram is willing to go to the end of the earth to save Naomi, but will that be enough? A quiet life in Lemon Tree, California, becomes a runaway journey to find an estranged father in exotic Oaxaca, Mexico.

©2004 Pam Munoz Ryan (P)2004 Random House, Inc. Listening Library, an imprint of the Random House Audio Publishing Group

Critic Reviews

"A moving book about family dynamics." (School Library Journal)

My class LOVES this book!

Every year my 5th graders listen to this story and they LOVE it! We even make our own splendid words list.

Another gem from Pam Munoz Ryan

Just a wonderful audio book --my kids ages 5 and 11 and I all enjoyed it equally. As good as Esperanza Rising and nice to read after that one.

This book is awesome!!!

I liked how Naomi has to try to find her inner lion and when she does find it she is more than a lion. I choose that rating because the woman read the books characters parts so well. And the book was a good story and i think every person on earth should read it!!!🤓📚📕

Truly meaningful

This story was a read for my 10 yr old stepdaughter at school. She stated this book made her sad and think about her biological mother. I listened to this book and found it to be so close to her life (although the father has full custody) with the mother that I thought it was written by her. It was wonderful how the feelings were expressed so she could understand. this book will remain close to our hearts!! Thank you so much!

Best Book Ever

I Loved This Book So Much! It Teaches Me That You Can't Use Your Kids Just For Money, And Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover😌.

Great story!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book to kids age 10 and up--good to listen with a parent because there are adult problems viewed from the child's perspective (alcoholism, abandonment, divorce).

Who was your favorite character and why?

The main character (Naomi Leon) grows and changes in an important way in the story, the plot is interesting, and the setting changes enough to keep everyone engaged.

Which scene was your favorite?

I loved the scene when they wake up in "Baby Beluga" (their grandmother's trailer) as it is driving down the highway.

Any additional comments?

The reader has a nice way of changing her voice to fit the characters--she does a good job with accents and with the Spanish words.

Feel good kind of book

I loved this book. Just a beautiful simple story of a girl and how she grows into herself. the voice actor did a splendid job as well. I've loved this book since I was young and this was an incredibly enjoyable experience.

Love this book

Hope you like this book like I did, so in enjoy this book if you read is!

Captivating Story, Narrated Wonderfully

Loved listening to this family drama. The plot unfolded beautifully and was exciting throughout the book. Well developed characters - some who were easy to love or hate, and a few characters who had their good and bad. a beautiful family story and a tear jerker. A book that not only the children will enjoy.

great story

we enjoyed listening to the book but i don't know if my son would have made it through the Spanish words if he read the book.