A collection of poems
celebrating the life of the great labor leader
Born in 1927 in Yuma,
Arizona, César Chavez lived the hard-scrabble life of a migrant worker
during the Depression. Although his mother wanted him to get an education,
César left school after eighth grade to work. He grew to be a charismatic
leader and founded the National Farm Workers Association, an organization that
fought for basic rights for farm workers. In powerful poems and dramatic
stylized illustrations, Carmen T. Bernier-Grand and David Díaz pay tribute
to Chavez’s legacy—helping migrant workers improve their lives by
doing things by themselves for themselves.
CARMEN T. BERNIER-GRAND grew
up in Puerto Rico. She is the author of several children’s books,
including Shake
It, and Morena and
Juan Bobo: Four Folktales from Puerto Rico. She lives in
Portland, Oregon.
DAVID DÍAZ won the Caldecott Medal for his
illustrations in Smoky
Night by Eve Bunting. His artwork has appeared in a number of
other distinguished titles, including
The Pot that Juan
Built and Wilma
Unlimited: How Wilma Rudolph Became the World’s Fastest
Woman. His work has also been featured in national
publications such as The Atlantic
Monthly and The
Washington Post. He lives in Carlsbad, California.
Notable Books List for Children ALA
Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People NCSS-CBC
César
* "The life and times of César
Chávez are vividly re-created in this collection of poems. Where most
biographies stick to the facts of what a person did, this one also touches on
the man’s character and values. Children will learn about Chávez,
but, more importantly, they will learn the important lessons he taught, and they
will be able to apply them to their own lives. The lyrical language describes
events and paints evocative pictures to which children will relate. Diaz’s
stylized, computer-drawn, folk-art illustrations capture the subject’s
private and public life, from the images of picking fruit to peaceful
demonstrations. A glossary and translation of the Spanish words used, a concise
well-written biographical essay, and famous Chávez quotes are appended. An
excellent choice for most libraries."
—School
Library Journal, starred review
"Diaz’s softly beautiful and illuminating
illustrations add much to this already rich celebration of César’s
life and
legacy." —Kirkus
Reviews
"....The real power of the text lies in
the accessible way it presents information about the life of this influential
figure, who is too often treated in stodgy, hard-to-swallow prose. Stencil-like
illustrations of iconic, richly colored figures surrounded by glowing auras
enhance the adulatory ambience of the enterprise, but the radiant images help
lift the social commentary above the
preachy." —The
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books,
recommended
"This Pura Belpré Author and
Illustrator Honor Book is a collection of free-verse poems that vividly
dramatize decisive experiences in the life of César Chávez.
Diaz’s stylized images feature a saintly golden glow that reinforces the
admiration behind the text. Back matter includes source notes, a glossary, a
short biography of Chávez, a chronology, and a list for further
reading." —Book
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