Published in 2001, Julia Alvarez’s How Tía Lola Came to (Visit) Stay is a children’s novel and the first book in the Tía Lola series. Ten-year-old Miguel’s life changes when his spirited and possibly magical great-aunt comes from the Dominican Republic to help his family in Vermont. As Tía Lola brightens their small town with her vibrant personality, Miguel learns to embrace his heritage. The novel won the Rhode Island Latino Books Award and explores themes of family, identity, and change.

Citations in this study guide refer to the paperback edition released by Random House in 2001.

Content Warning: The source material contains depictions of racism and bullying.

Plot Summary

Miguel Guzmán and his little sister, Juanita, lived in New York City before their parents divorced. During Christmas break, they move into a Vermont farmhouse with their mother and Mami invites her favorite aunt, Tía Lola, to visit them. Tía Lola is from the Dominican Republic and speaks only Spanish. When the children have trouble finding Tía Lola at the airport, Miguel must make an announcement in Spanish even though he is nervous and doesn’t like to speak Spanish. Tía Lola joyfully embraces the children and thanks them for their warm welcome. As Miguel hugs her tight, he forgets about his parents’ divorce and the recent move for a moment.

Tía Lola brings joy, laughter, and music to the Guzmáns’ farmhouse. However, Miguel has mixed feelings about her presence because he worries that she will make it harder for him to fit in and make friends. His mother helps him realize that Tía Lola is homesick, and he writes a welcoming message in Spanish in the snow to cheer her up. Miguel turns 10 on March 31. To surprise him, his father drives to Vermont from New York, and his new friends and Tía Lola throw a party for him.

In the spring, Tía Lola befriends many of the Guzmáns’ neighbors. She cooks nutritious Dominican dishes for Miguel, who begins to believe that the food brings him good luck. Miguel’s parents, Juanita, and Tía Lola cheer him on when he tries out for the little league baseball team. Encouraged by Tía Lola’s love and confidence in his hard work, Miguel performs well and makes the team.

Tía Lola helps the Guzmáns so much that Mami invites her to stay permanently. During summer vacation, Miguel and Juanita want to visit their father in New York, and they suggest that Tía Lola accompany them. Mami agrees to consider this if the siblings get along better and if Tía Lola’s English improves. The siblings call a truce, and they use cue cards with pictures to prompt Tía Lola to use English phrases around their mother. Mami discovers the children’s scheme, but she agrees to let them go to New York because she understands that it’s important for them to see their father. Miguel promises to look after Juanita and Tía Lola.

In late June, Tía Lola, Miguel, and Juanita take a train to New York City. Shortly after Papi meets them at Pennsylvania Station, Tía Lola gets lost. She calls Papi’s phone and Miguel coaches her to read the street signs so they can find her. The next day, Miguel and Juanita argue over what to do until Tía Lola suggests that they each set the agenda for one day of their three-day trip. On the first day, Miguel chooses a Yankees game. On the second day, Juanita chooses the zoo. On the third day, the family visits Papi’s parents, who immigrated from the Dominican Republic with him when he was seven. Tía Lola feels at home in the grandparents’ Spanish-speaking neighborhood and dances the merengue with strangers.

Colonel Charlebois, the elderly owner of the Guzmáns farmhouse rental, loves baseball. The usually curmudgeonly man gives Miguel’s little league team permission to practice on the property. One day, Tía Lola decides to repaint the drab house a deep purple. Charlebois tells the family to paint the house white again or move out. However, he has a change of heart when he sees Miguel’s team play in the purple and white uniforms Tía Lola sewed for them.

Mami’s birthday is August 30. Her children and Tía Lola plan a surprise party for her, and over 70 guests from the community attend. Although Miguel wishes that his father could be there, he feels grateful that their family has made so many friends in Vermont. Miguel learns that Tía Lola raised Mami after her mother died when she was only three years old. This teaches Miguel that families come in many shapes and sizes, which helps him come to terms with his parents’ divorce.

After the party, Miguel, Juanita, Tía Lola, and Mami drive into the Green Mountains to watch the sunset. Tía Lola recounts a story that she told Mami on her birthday when she was a child, explaining why different places around the world have different types of weather and encouraging people to be happy with their homes. The story fills Miguel, Juanita, and Mami with a sense of belonging. Although Tía Lola misses the Dominican Republic, she feels glad to be with them. During the drive home, Mami suggests taking the children to the Dominican Republic in the winter, and Tía Lola has an idea. She whispers to Mami so that the children can’t overhear.

Tía Lola, Miguel, Juanita, and Mami celebrate Christmas in the Dominican Republic with their large and welcoming extended family. Miguel enjoys meeting his relatives, but he’s afraid that Tía Lola will stay on the island when it’s time for them to go home. When she dresses up as Santa Claus and asks the children what they want for Christmas, he wishes for her to return to Vermont with him. With a wink, she promises to see what she can do.