Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez

by Kathleen Krull (Author) Yuyi Morales (Illustrator)

Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade
Cesar Chavez is known as one of America's greatest civil rights leaders. When he led a 340-mile peaceful protest march through California, he ignited a cause and improved the lives of thousands of migrant farmworkers. But Cesar wasn't always a leader. As a boy, he was shy and teased at school. His family slaved in the fields for barely enough money to survive.

Cesar knew things had to change, and he thought that--maybe--he could help change them. So he took charge. He spoke up. And an entire country listened.

An author's note provides historical context for the story of Cesar Chavez's life.

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Hardcover
$19.99

Publishers Weekly

Starred Review
Krull (Wilma Unlimited; the Lives of... series) turns readers' attention to Cesar Chavez (1927-1993), founder of the National Farm Workers Association and champion of migrant workers. A lyrical portrait of a glorious early boyhood on his family's Arizona ranch opens the sympathetic narrative and explains that drought forced the family off their land in 1937 and consigned them to the grueling life of itinerant manual farm labor. Krull selects details that the target audience will readily understand; for example, she notes that Chavez attended 35 schools (he left after eighth grade) and that a teacher once hung a sign on him that read "I am a clown. I speak Spanish." The author also stresses Chavez's struggles to overcome extreme shyness and his commitment to nonviolent means of protest, demonstrating the latter in a climactic account of the landmark farm workers' strike and protest march led by Chavez in 1965. Debut illustrator Morales's mixed-media, full-bleed art taps into folkloric qualities that enhance the humanity of the characters. Using the bright colors of Mexican art, she skews the landscapes to reflect the characters' emotions. Sweeping, organic brushstrokes often angle diagonally, painting purple skies above green California fields or dividing rows of brown earth. The visual statement is as powerful as the story. Ages 6-9. (May) Copyright 2003 Publishers Weekly Used with permission.

School Library Journal

Starred Review
Gr 3-6-The dramatic story of Chavez's 340-mile march to protest the working conditions of migrant farmworkers in California is the centerpiece of this well-told biography. Readers meet Chavez at his grandparents' home in Arizona where he lived happily amid a large extended family. His childhood was cut short when, due to financial difficulties, the family was forced to move to California to seek employment. After years of laboring in the fields, Chavez became increasingly disturbed by the inhuman living conditions imposed by the growers. The historic 1965 strike against grape growers and the subsequent march for "La Causa" are vividly recounted, and Chavez's victory-the agreement by the growers granting the workers better conditions and higher pay-is palpable. While sufficient background information is provided to support the story and encourage further research, focusing on one event makes the story appealing to younger readers. The text is largely limited to one side of a spread; beautifully rendered earth-toned illustrations flow out from behind the words and onto the facing page. A fine addition to any collection.-Sue Morgan, Tom Kitayama Elementary School, Union City, CA Copyright 2003 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"An inspiring story, enhanced by sun-drenched, mural-like paintings." — School Library Journal
Classification
-
ISBN-13
9780152014377
Lexile Measure
880
Guided Reading Level
S
Publisher
Clarion Books
Publication date
March 01, 2003
Series
-
BISAC categories
JNF007050 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Cultural Heritage
Library of Congress categories
History
United States
Migrant labor
Mexican Americans
United Farm Workers
Chavez, Cesar
Labor leaders
Bluebonnet Awards
Nominee 2005 - 2005
Pura Belpre Award
Honor Book 2004 - 2004
Christopher Awards
Winner 2004 - 2004
Americas Award for Children & Young Adult Literature
Honor Book 2003 - 2003
Black-Eyed Susan Award
Nominee 2004 - 2005
Jane Addams Children's Book Award
Winner 2004 - 2004
Rhode Island Children's Book Awards
Nominee 2005 - 2005

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