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stitchsaddiction's review
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna is an incredible and emotional read based on stories handed down through generations of a family.
Set during the Mexican Revolution, our protagonist is a young girl, Petra Luna, who has, through necessity, taken on the roles her father would be doing of caring for and supporting her small family. With the menfolk dead or serving in the army, many villages in Mexico are only home to young children and the elderly (often female), and they are destitute. Author, Alda P. Dobbs describes this world in an honest and vivid manner that brings this hot and deserted country to life.
Their heartbreaking journey to escape the cruelty of the revolution is written with a lot of thought consideration because these events happened. People starved, and people were killed. I will add a warning that one person to die in an accident is a toddler, and it had me in tears, but it is written respectfully. I just felt it is imperative that if you do read this wonderful book, there is tragedy, and it may be something you may not wish to read.
I couldn't put down Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna because you're drawn in so deeply to the journey Petra and her family go through. All I wanted was for them to reach America and find the sanctuary they desperately needed and for each of them to survive. Petra is inspirational with her fierce determination to not only survive but to break the generational roles where a girl shouldn't be anything more than her husband's cook, cleaner, etcetera.
I hope she did get to live her Barefoot Dreams in the end.
The book not only gives us the reader insight into a historical event not many are taught about, but there is also a brief explanation of the factual event the story is based upon. Families like Petra's are incredible and true heroes for never giving up on the desire to simply live.
I highly recommend this book.
Set during the Mexican Revolution, our protagonist is a young girl, Petra Luna, who has, through necessity, taken on the roles her father would be doing of caring for and supporting her small family. With the menfolk dead or serving in the army, many villages in Mexico are only home to young children and the elderly (often female), and they are destitute. Author, Alda P. Dobbs describes this world in an honest and vivid manner that brings this hot and deserted country to life.
Their heartbreaking journey to escape the cruelty of the revolution is written with a lot of thought consideration because these events happened. People starved, and people were killed. I will add a warning that one person to die in an accident is a toddler, and it had me in tears, but it is written respectfully. I just felt it is imperative that if you do read this wonderful book, there is tragedy, and it may be something you may not wish to read.
I couldn't put down Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna because you're drawn in so deeply to the journey Petra and her family go through. All I wanted was for them to reach America and find the sanctuary they desperately needed and for each of them to survive. Petra is inspirational with her fierce determination to not only survive but to break the generational roles where a girl shouldn't be anything more than her husband's cook, cleaner, etcetera.
I hope she did get to live her Barefoot Dreams in the end.
The book not only gives us the reader insight into a historical event not many are taught about, but there is also a brief explanation of the factual event the story is based upon. Families like Petra's are incredible and true heroes for never giving up on the desire to simply live.
I highly recommend this book.
thenextgenlibrarian's review
4.0
“There's no curse that'll last a hundred years, nor a body that can withstand it.”
lizaroo71's review
3.0
I picked this up at the library because it is about a girl growing up during the Mexican Revolution. Petra's life feels relevant with the backdrop of the war in Ukraine. So many times we only hear from adults.
Her life is upturned after her mother dies giving birth to her baby brother, Luis, and her father is taken to fight for the Federales. Petra promises her father she'll take care of her sister, brother and grandmother. To that end, the family must flee their home when the Federales come in and burn the village down. Petra's journey takes her across tough terrain, but also allows her to encounter moments of compassion and kindness.
Still, the story didn't develop each character enough to show their growth. I did learn a lot about this time period in Mexico's history (there is even reference to the grandmother losing her native language under the Spainards conquest of Mexico). There is a timeline provided in the back that is helpful.
Her life is upturned after her mother dies giving birth to her baby brother, Luis, and her father is taken to fight for the Federales. Petra promises her father she'll take care of her sister, brother and grandmother. To that end, the family must flee their home when the Federales come in and burn the village down. Petra's journey takes her across tough terrain, but also allows her to encounter moments of compassion and kindness.
Still, the story didn't develop each character enough to show their growth. I did learn a lot about this time period in Mexico's history (there is even reference to the grandmother losing her native language under the Spainards conquest of Mexico). There is a timeline provided in the back that is helpful.
angiedkelly's review
5.0
Love this historical fiction for middle grade readers. Inspirational and full of hope. Love how the author used her family story to write this important tale. Won't be surprised to find this book on many upcoming award lists.
Highly recommended!
Highly recommended!
hbunker's review
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
_basicbookworm's review
5.0
I don’t often read middle grade books, but the description of Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna sounded too good to pass up. This heartbreaking and inspiring book tells the story of a young girl and her journey to the United States from Mexico in 1913. After the Federales destroy her town, twelve year old Petra leads her grandmother and two younger siblings on a quest for safety. This heartbreaking tale shows so much strength and determination and throughout all of the challenges Petra never gives up hope. This truly beautiful story is made even more special after reading the author’s note: her inspiration for this story came from her great-grandmother’s tales of fleeing Mexico and crossing the border to escape the Federales. This story is heavy but so inspiring at the same time.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Kids for the advanced copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Kids for the advanced copy.
thenextgenlib's review
4.0
“There's no curse that'll last a hundred years, nor a body that can withstand it.”
dresendez0406's review
5.0
This book was so good! It describes the journey of 12 year old Petra and her family as they’re running away from the Federales. During the whole book, you are rooting for Petra and how she stays strong to keep her family alive.
madisoncarrasco's review
5.0
I learned about the Mexican Revolution in college but I feel like I understand so much more after reading this book geared towards Middle graders. Petra and her family’s journey is heartbreaking, and even more so after reading the author’s note on how it is based on the true story passed down by her ancestors. The main character is an inspiring example of hope and strength, as she tries to escape the Federales and get her grandmother and siblings to the American border, and hopefully to safety. Mexican history is seamlessly woven into the story that takes place in the early 1900s. This book would be an excellent companion resource to history lessons from that time period.