Tonatiuh, D. (2014). Separate
is never equal: the story of Sylvia Mendez and her family. New York: Abrams
Books for Young Readers.
Summary: Sylvia Mendez, an American citizen of Mexican and Puerto Rican
heritage who spoke and wrote perfect English, was denied enrollment to a
“whites only” school. Her parents decided to fight this injustice by hiring a
lawyer. Her family, with the help of other neglected families, filed a lawsuit
against the district court in California. After three years of fighting in the
courts, the Mendez family wins their case, and the governor of California signs
a law saying that all public schools must be open to all children. Sylvia is
sometimes criticized at her new school, but she learns to hold her head high.
Review: This
is a great and powerful book to learn about discrimination and racism. It
would be perfect to use this text to introduce the civil rights movement. It
certainly will prompt much discussion about things being different back then.
Great read for fourth and fifth grade students.
Book
trailer:
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