the_lobrarian's review
- Illustrations are acrylics, handmade stamps, and computer-created cut-outs on BFK Rives Ppaer
crystal_reading's review
4.0
Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez by Kathleen Krull and illustrated by Yuyi Morales won the award for illustration in 2004. The text tells a bit about the childhood of Chavez, but mostly focuses on his activism and non-violent fight for the rights of farmworkers. This would be a great book to pair with Dolores Huerta: A Hero to Migrant Workers by Sarah Warren. I had heard of Chavez, but until recently didn't even know that Dolores Huerta existed. That may be partly because as in Harvesting Hope, she was not mentioned, yet she worked closely with Chavez and was also instrumental in improving conditions for migrant workers. Both books would be great in a biography or civil rights unit. Yuyi Morales provides a fantastic teacher's guide to go along with Harvesting Hope. http://www.yuyimorales.com/guide.pdf
alysona's review
5.0
This is everything a Children's Biography should be. A powerful story simply told and accompanied by amazing illustrations. I love children's books for topics that are new to me but that I don't need overwhelming information about and this one was perfect.
tooamy's review
5.0
This book is about Cesar Chavez and how he became a labor organizer who fought for workers' rights. Could be used in a multicultural setting.
prophecygrrl's review
4.0
Beautifully illustrated, nice overview of Chavez's life and the origins of the NFWA. Gets an extra star for pissing off conservative reviewers on Amazon.
emslovestoread's review
4.0
This is our language arts story for the week, and I think it's absolutely critical. I love that it furthers Martin Luther King JR's message of non-violent protest. Chavez's message is just as important. It's so crucial for kids to know they can get involved without resorting to violence.
readaloud_mom's review
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.75
Yuyi Morales's beautiful illustrations are perfect for this story!
I love that this book starts with a young Chavez growing up happily on his family's ranch; surrounded by family, struggling with shyness at elementary school, having plenty to eat. The story of losing their land to drought and debt and the Great Depression is a deeply familiar one, but not one that I'm used to seeing told from a Hispanic perspective.
Parents should note that this book does not shy away from graphic details. Blood from blisters seeping out of marcher's shoes is the one that really stuck in my head; but the book also faces the struggles of the Chavez family's new life as migrant workers head on. It also doesn't mince words about the threat of violence (including murder) that workers faced when seeking better conditions. My kindergartener had fewer questions about all of this than I'd expected; but I would still recommend that adults take a minute to familiarize themselves with the book ahead of time so they can be prepared to field questions as needed!
While this book doesn't mention Dolores Huerta or any other organizers, I did find a lot to like in how this book handles gender roles! Morales's illustrations get most of the credit for this; women are shown on almost every page of Harvesting Hope in a variety of roles, including many women marching and taking an active role in the union. (The text does also specifically positions women as the ones attending Chavez's first awkward attempt at an organizing meeting, and also gives credit to his mother for laying the early foundations for Chavez's nonviolent action.)
Parents should note that this book does not shy away from graphic details. Blood from blisters seeping out of marcher's shoes is the one that really stuck in my head; but the book also faces the struggles of the Chavez family's new life as migrant workers head on. It also doesn't mince words about the threat of violence (including murder) that workers faced when seeking better conditions. My kindergartener had fewer questions about all of this than I'd expected; but I would still recommend that adults take a minute to familiarize themselves with the book ahead of time so they can be prepared to field questions as needed!
While this book doesn't mention Dolores Huerta or any other organizers, I did find a lot to like in how this book handles gender roles! Morales's illustrations get most of the credit for this; women are shown on almost every page of Harvesting Hope in a variety of roles, including many women marching and taking an active role in the union. (The text does also specifically positions women as the ones attending Chavez's first awkward attempt at an organizing meeting, and also gives credit to his mother for laying the early foundations for Chavez's nonviolent action.)
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood, Racism, and Violence