César Chávez

Learn more about Chávez and the cause to which he devoted his life in these books from the children's collection of the Berkeley Public Library. Ask the children's staff for more titles on this subject.

Biographies of César Chávez and other notable Latinos:

920 C398k
Krull, Kathleen.    Harvesting Hope: The Story of César Chávez.
This brief illustrated biography takes Chávez from the age of ten when he and his family lived on their Arizona ranch, to age thirty-eight when he led peaceful protests against the miserable working conditions of California migrant workers.

920 C398r2
Roberts, Naurice.    César Chávez and La Causa.
Picture-story biography of Chávez' life.

920 H433ac
Herrera, Juan.    Calling the Doves/ El Canto de las Palomas.
The author recalls his childhood growing up in a farmworker family. Text in English and Spanish.

r920 H871p
Perez, Frank.   Dolores Huerta.
Describes the efforts of Dolores Huerta to organize migrant workers in California into the union that became the United Farm Workers.

920 V713aw
Villasenor, Victor.    Walking Stars: Stories of Magic and Power.
Autobiographical stories about growing up as the son of Mexican immigrants in California.

920.1 M818f2
Morey, Janet.    Famous Mexican Americans.
Fourteen Mexican Americans, working in a variety of professions.

VHS 920 c398
César Chávez: Mexican-American Labor Leader.
Video presentation of Césár Chávez, his life and lifework.

Mexican-Americans in the United States:

305.5 B77m
Brimner, Larry.    A Migrant Family.
Follows the life of 12-year-old Juan Medina and his family, who live in Encinitas, California.

305.8 G199m
Garza, Carmen.    Magic Windows:; Cut-Paper Art and Stories/ Ventanas Magicas: Papel Picado y Relatos de Carmen Lomas Garza.
In Spanish and English and beautiful cut-paper work, Garza presents one family's Mexican customs. Text in English and Spanish.

305.868 At51v
Voices from the Fields: Children of Migrant Farmworkers Tell Their Stories.
Photographs, poems and interviews reveal the hardships and hopes of migrant farm workers and their families.

SPA 305.8 Ac72b
Ancona, George.    Barrio: El Barrio de José.
Life in a barrio in San Francisco through the eyes of an eight-year-old.

784 Or6f
Orozco, José-Luis.    Fiestas: A Year of Latin-American Songs of Celebration.
This local musician's joyous song book (one of many) includes "Viva César Chávez!". Text in English and Spanish.

Stories for middle school kids:

YT Fiction Jiménez, Francisco.    The Circuit: Stories from the Life of a Migrant Child.
Jiménez recounts the stories of his family as they establish themselves in the Central Valley of California. Sequel, Breaking Through, brings him from the age of 14, still working in the fields, but fighting to complete his education. Also in Spanish, SPA Fiction Jiménez; also on audiobook.

YT Fiction Ryan, Pam Muñoz.    Esperanza Rising/ Esperanza Renace.
Esperanza and her mother leave a life of wealth in Mexico to work in the labor camps of Southern California on the eve of the Great Depression. Also in Spanish, SPA Fiction Muñoz; also on audiobook.

Stories for elementary school kids:

Fiction Jiménez, Francisco.    La Mariposa.
A caterpillar helps a son of a migrant worker fit into his first grade class.

Fiction Mora, Pat.    Tomás and the Library Lady/ Tomas y la senora de la biblioteca.
While his family works far from home, Tomás finds a new world to explore at the local public library. Also in Spanish, SPA Fiction Mora

Fiction Pérez, L. King.   First Day in Grapes.
Chico is starting the third grade as his family begins to harvest California grapes.

Fiction Soto, Gary.   Pool Party.
Local author Soto, author of many books set in the Central Valley and the Bay Area, writes of ten-year-old Rudy as he becomes aware of differences between his working class family and wealthier ones in Fresno. Also on video cassette.

Fiction Thomas, Jane.   Lights on the River.
The young daughter of Mexican-American migrant workers keeps alive the memories of her grandmother and her life in Mexico.

Picturebooks:

P Altman, Linda.   Amelia's Road.
Amelia is tired of moving around so much and dreams of a home.

P Bunting, Eve.   Going Home.
Carlos and his family are going home for Christmas, across the border from California to Mexico.

P Dorros, Arthur.   Radio Man / Don Radio: A Story in English and Spanish.
Traveling with his family of migrant farmworkers, Diego finds companionship in his radio and a connection to all the different places he's lived. Text in English and Spanish.

Website:

http://chavez.cde.ca.gov/ModelCurriculum/Intro.aspx
(from the California State Department of Education)

Want to get your hands on one of these books? Check the Berkeley Public Library catalog to see where you can get a copy!