Twelve-year-old Roberto Alvarez is the youngest of his siblings, born on U.S. soil. He’s el futuro, their dream for a life away from the fire of the Mexican Revolution.
Moved by anti-immigrant and anti-Mexican propaganda, the Lemon Grove school board and chamber of commerce create a separate “Americanization” school for the Mexican children attending the Lemon Grove Grammar School. But the new Olive Street School is an old barn retrofitted for the children forced to attend a segregated school.
Amid threats of deportation, the Comité de Vecinos risk everything to stand their ground and, with the support of the Mexican Consulate, choose Roberto as the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit against the school board in this vivid and uplifting novel in verse based on true events.
This inspiring novel in verse is set against the backdrop of the Great Depression and Mexican Repatriation, and is based on the true story of the United States’ first successful school desegregation case, two decades before Brown v. Board of Education ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. [Adapted from publishers’ description.]
ISBN: 9781250342614 | Roaring Brook Press
Reviews
The parallels to today left me breathless . . . This beautiful novel in verse about Roberto Alvarez, the young man who, along with his community, stood up to the injustices the community suffered, gives us hope that if we stand up for our rights, justice can prevail. — Terry C. Jennings, author of The Little House of Hope and the Definitely Dominguita series
A lyrical and engaging read celebrating community standing together against oppressors. Águila’s beautiful telling of this landmark civil rights case reminds readers that courage is a seed that is nurtured by family, community and belief in justice. This book is a beautiful tale of determination, family and unity. — Lizz Huerta, author of The Last Dreamer
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