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gretchface85's review against another edition
I picked this book up off a shelf at our library because I was drawn to the cover and wanted to know more. When I saw that it was about the 1965 Delano Grape Strike I had to get it. I grew up very close to Delano and, just like I said in my review of Esperanza Rising, I grew up with many friends whose families were migrant farm workers and it’s an important story to be told and represented. This particular book is written in a poetic form that made it easy to read. The story is pretty hard in parts, especially in terms of abuse in the home as well as the treatment of the people doing farm labor. However, it does have an uplifting ending with redemption in the family, so I would probably recommend it for 8th or 9th grade. There’s a great author’s note at the end, which includes her reasons behind the language that is used especially in reference to different people groups and derogatory terms.
I’m so glad I picked this up and plan to bring it back for 8th or 9th grade reading for my younger son. Would pair great with units on the dust bowl, labor strikes, CA history, etc.
I’m so glad I picked this up and plan to bring it back for 8th or 9th grade reading for my younger son. Would pair great with units on the dust bowl, labor strikes, CA history, etc.
bibliobrandie's review against another edition
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.
yasmeenj_'s review against another edition
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
embe94's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
catfish101's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
YA Book Club March 2024
I am not a huge fan of poetry... so when I opened up this book and saw that it is written entirely in poem-form I was a little bit daunted by it, but maybe 25% of the way through it I got over it and I didn't really notice. I genuinely enjoyed the book! Quick read. Great message. Do northerners hear about
I am not a huge fan of poetry... so when I opened up this book and saw that it is written entirely in poem-form I was a little bit daunted by it, but maybe 25% of the way through it I got over it and I didn't really notice. I genuinely enjoyed the book! Quick read. Great message. Do northerners hear about
Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez in school???? Idk but we did. Will definitely recommend to YA's!
¡Viva La Huelga! ¡Viva La Huelga!
¡Viva La Huelga! ¡Viva La Huelga!
perfectlystill's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
tayberryjelly's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.25
azurities's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse
bailey_story's review against another edition
4.0
I’m not 100% into the verse format, I would’ve loved a more sweeping immersive story here. However, I learned so much and am glad I read A Seed in the Sun! I’d like to read more historical fiction highlighting this time period.
jwinchell's review against another edition
4.0
This is an important historical novel about the 1965 farmworkers protest in California. The verse in this book is so good. And it's important for young people to learn about Delores Huerta and Cesar Chavez. It's also important for people to know that Filipino farmworkers were the first to organize and Mexican and Mexican American people came after. Great notes from the author at the end.