Los Compadres is a program that pairs advanced high school Spanish students with elementary English-as-a-Second-Language native Spanish speakers. Teachers prepare lessons based upon authentic literature, written in English and Spanish, which include vocabulary review and literature response activities. The high school students prepare for the lessons by reading the stories in both languages. Elementary students have the opportunity to have a mentor who is capable of and enthusiastic about speaking their native language and who reads to them in both languages. The mentor models the importance of understanding the reading by engaging in literature response activities while the two interact in both languages. Both students benefit with increased vocabulary, oral communication, listening proficiency, self-esteem, and reading competence. Teachers of both students have many authentic assessment opportunities. Special events focused around Hispanic culture provide an opportunity for reluctant non-English proficient parents to participate in school-based functions. This packet includes a program template, sample lesson plans, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills connection, sample parent letters, sample special event invitations, and book resources. Appended are slides that summarize the program and were presented at the Annual Meeting of Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) (St. Louis, MO, February 27-March 3, 2001). (SM)