Soldier for Equality by Duncan Tonatiuh - ADVISABLE

Soldier for Equality : José de la Luz Sáenz and the Great War by Duncan Tonatiuh PICTURE BOOK Abrams/Amulet, 2019, $19 9781419736827

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Luz (José) was born in Texas but because his family was from Mexico, he experienced prejudice. He became a teacher and saw how inequitable and unfair the school system in Texas was for children of color. The schools for the white children were very different from the shacks the Mexican children attended. Restaurants and stores had signs declaring that mexicans were not welcome. He enlisted in World War I hoping that his demonstration of patriotism and sacrifice would show America that the Mexican-Americans loved their country. He faced discrimination there, too. After his return, Luz and other formed the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), a Latino civil rights group. 

I do love Duncan Tonatiuh's historical fiction picture books. His illustrations are unique, and he is a great storyteller. I appreciate the author's note as well as the timeline, bibliography and glossary as well as a photograph of Luz. Another great book for my civil rights section. 

Lisa Librarian