Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family’s Fight for Desegregation
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Seven years before Brown v. Board of Education, the Mendez family fought to end segregation in California schools. Discover their incredible story in Separate Is Never Equal, a picture book from award-winning creator Duncan Tonatiuh.
Jane Addams Children’s Book Award Winner * A Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor Book * A Robert F. Sibert Honor Book
STARRED REVIEW *“Masterfully combines text and folk-inspired art to add an important piece to the mosaic of U.S. civil rights history.” ―Kirkus Reviews
When her family moved to the town of Westminster, California, young Sylvia Mendez was excited about enrolling in her neighborhood school. But she and her brothers were turned away and told they had to attend the Mexican school instead. Sylvia could not understand why—she was an American citizen who spoke perfect English. Why were the children of Mexican families forced to attend a separate school?
Unable to get a satisfactory answer from the school board, the Mendez family decided to take matters into its own hands and organized a lawsuit. In the end, the Mendez family’s efforts helped bring an end to segregated schooling in California in 1947, seven years before the landmark Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education ended segregation in schools across America.
Author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh writes in his notes, “My hope is that this book will help children and young people learn about this important yet little known event in American history. I also hope that they will see themselves reflected in Sylvia’s story and realize that their voices are valuable.”
Using his signature illustration style and incorporating his interviews with Sylvia Mendez, as well as information from court files and news accounts, Tonatiuh tells the inspiring story of the Mendez family’s fight for justice and equality, a fight that is as relevant today as it was 75 years ago.
From the Publisher
Publisher : Harry N. Abrams; Illustrated edition (May 6, 2014)
Language : English
Hardcover : 40 pages
ISBN-10 : 1419710540
ISBN-13 : 978-1419710544
Reading age : 6 – 10 years, from customers
Lexile measure : AD870L
Grade level : 1 – 4
Item Weight : 1.15 pounds
Dimensions : 9.38 x 0.5 x 11.38 inches
Customers say
Customers find the story engaging and relevant. It teaches an important lesson about civil rights and is a must-have for teaching American history. The book is written in kid-friendly language that appeals to adults and students of all ages. The illustrations are beautiful and enhance the concept. However, opinions differ on the pacing and whether students can identify with the characters.
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