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Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez And Her Family's Fight For Desegregation (2014)

by Duncan Tonatiuh(Favorite Author)
4.33 of 5 Votes: 2
ISBN
1419710540 (ISBN13: 9781419710544)
languge
English
publisher
Harry N. Abrams
review 1: I enjoyed reading this book. I think it is a great book to share with students in the 4th grade or above. This book taught me about a part of history that I never knew about. In most schools, if not all, we are taught about the Brown v. Board of Education case. This case lead to the desegregation of all schools in the country, which overturned the “separate but equal” law. This book is written about a similar case, Mendez v. Westminister, which happened before the Brown v. Board of Education. The Mendez v. Westminister case allowed the integration of all schools in California. In the book, the main character name is Sylvia Mendez. Her two younger brothers are not allowed to enroll into the school in their district because of the color of their skin. Instead, they are ... moreforced to go the “Mexican school” across town that was dirty and had no playground. Sylvia’s father wass furious and demanded an answer to why his children were not allowed to attend the school closest to them. Her father got a lawyer to file for a lawsuit in hope to integrate the schools. It takes a year before a decision is made, but the Mendez family wins the case and Sylvia and her little brothers are able to attend their rightful school.
review 2: Separate is Never Equal is a true story about Sylvia Mendez and her family’s struggle to end school segregation in the West Coast. Before Ruby Bridges took her courageous steps down south in Louisiana, Sylvia a Mexican –Puerto Rican American was fighting to end school segregation in California. Because of her skin color, she was not allowed to attend a better whites only school in her district. Together, Sylvia and her family fought for change. Duncan Tonatiuh brings to the attention a story of segregation that that is not well known, but just as important and historical in the effort to change America. Tonatiuh’s mixed media illustrations, a fuse of ancient Mayan portrait style with realistic photograph inlays, depict a culture of past and present. less
Reviews (see all)
Valeria109
Clearly told and perfect for use in the elementary school classroom. Recommended for grades 1 - 3.
ghana
Sylvia Mendez and Her Family's Fight for Desegregation in California in the 1940s.
frankie1011
AN important story and an important book that also is handsome and engaging.
zara
i think it is about whites and blacks never being separate
Mags13
For the next 3rd grade Good Reading list.
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