Reading Gary Soto: MVCA Celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month Honoring Hispanic Heritage Through Literature 

National Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the culture, history, and diverse Hispanic voices that shape America. At Michigan Virtual Charter Academy (MVCA), 7th grade reading intervention teacher Ms. Schultz marks the month by introducing her students to Gary Soto, a Mexican-American author whose stories capture both everyday adolescence and the migrant experience. 

Ms. Schultz, now in her third year at MVCA and her fifteenth year teaching this particular lesson, guides her students through Soto’s short stories Seventh Grade and Oranges.  

 Connecting Students to Culture Through Gary Soto’s Stories 

The timing feels intentional. Seventh Grade begins on the first day of school, the same milestone her own students just crossed. In the story, students meet Victor, a boy who has to work in the fields picking grapes just to buy school clothes.  

Like many 12-year-olds, he’s worried about fitting in and impressing his crush, Theresa. His plan is to enroll in French—just because she did—and try to show off, only to embarrass himself in the process. 

“He’s really trying to impress her’,” Ms. Schultz jokes with students, “and my students always find it relatable.” Yet the story ends on an uplifting note when Theresa asks him for help, showing that even awkward missteps can lead to connection. At MVCA, we love moments like this- when literature opens doors to empathy and reminds students they’re not alone in their feelings. 

Encouraging Curiosity and Cultural Awareness 

“They may not know what it’s like to pick grapes in the hot sun, but they know what it feels like to want to be accepted,” said Ms. Schultz. 

For MVCA students, the story sparks curiosity and questions. One asked, “What do you mean he had to work in the fields?” The discussion that followed helped students connect reading to real life, seeing beyond their own experiences and recognizing the challenges others face. Moments like this show how reading sparks curiosity. Students aren’t just learning about characters- they’re expanding their view of the world. 

This is exactly the kind of perspective Ms. Schultz wants for her students, who come to MVCA from across Michigan. “They’re learning empathy,” she said. “They’re realizing there are kids their age who don’t have the white picket fence. And they’re also learning that it’s okay to stumble, to feel embarrassed, and to still come out okay in the end.” 

Lessons That Strengthen Reading and Real-World Skills 

The unit also meets practical goals. Soto’s clear, straightforward language makes the stories ideal for students working to strengthen their reading skills. At the same time, they’re practicing how to identify character traits, track plot, and summarize events. 

The difference, Ms. Schultz says, is that these lessons are anchored in characters who feel real—and in stories that tie into a broader cultural celebration. 

Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month at MVCA 

It’s a lesson that goes beyond the page—perfectly timed for National Hispanic Heritage Month. Throughout the month, Ms. Schultz guides her students through lessons focused more directly on the migrant experience. Parents have already voiced support, noting how the stories encourage their children to think critically about perspectives beyond their own. 

For Schultz, who has taught this unit for several years, the payoff is always in the connections her students make. “Kids want to feel seen,” she said.  

National Hispanic Heritage Month is the perfect time to highlight an author like Soto—someone who helps kids see themselves but also helps them see others.  

Discover how MVCA celebrates culture and learning—explore our programs or enroll today 

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