Scan barcode
A review by bibliobrandie
A Seed in the Sun by Aida Salazar
5.0
This is an excellent novel-in-verse that explores family and the Delano grape strike of 1965. You are introduced to Lula and her family, grape farmworkers living and working in unsafe conditions. They join the 1965 protest for migrant workers' rights. Readers are introduced to key players like Dolores Huerta, Cesar Chavez, Larry Itliong, and even Bobby Kennedy. I hadn't heard of el Teatro Campesino (the official theater company of the United Farm Workers) before and yet it played a key role in the strike.
In addition to the story of the strike, Lula's family is dealing with the sickness of her mama and her own lost voice, both as a result of pesticide poisoning, as well as Papa's anger, alcoholism, and abuse. The author uses his character to explore gender roles and traditional views of what girls and boys should do. Lula is a seed that can't be stopped and she sprouts, grows, and ultimately finds her voice.
There is an amazing author's note and resource section at the end. Salazar explains how she wanted to honor farmworkers, her own family history, and the beginning of one of the greatest labor justice movements undertaken in the United States history. She illuminates the misconception that this strike began with Huerta and Chavez and gives credit to the Filipino workers lead by Itliong and Veracruz, illustrating that this was a multi-ethnic and multi-racial movement (and continues to be so today). Salazar also mentions that women and children's voices are largely missing from this history so she wanted to give them a voice. I think she has succeeded and I hope Lula's story helps students see the importance of farmworkers and worker's rights.
In addition to the story of the strike, Lula's family is dealing with the sickness of her mama and her own lost voice, both as a result of pesticide poisoning, as well as Papa's anger, alcoholism, and abuse. The author uses his character to explore gender roles and traditional views of what girls and boys should do. Lula is a seed that can't be stopped and she sprouts, grows, and ultimately finds her voice.
There is an amazing author's note and resource section at the end. Salazar explains how she wanted to honor farmworkers, her own family history, and the beginning of one of the greatest labor justice movements undertaken in the United States history. She illuminates the misconception that this strike began with Huerta and Chavez and gives credit to the Filipino workers lead by Itliong and Veracruz, illustrating that this was a multi-ethnic and multi-racial movement (and continues to be so today). Salazar also mentions that women and children's voices are largely missing from this history so she wanted to give them a voice. I think she has succeeded and I hope Lula's story helps students see the importance of farmworkers and worker's rights.