4- Nonfiction
Bibliography: Tonatiuh, D. (2014). Separate is Never Equal: The Story of Sylvia Mendez and Her Family. New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers.
ISBN-13 : 978-1419710544
Plot Summary:
“Cuando la causa es justa, los demas te siguen.” When you fight for justice, others will follow.
Separate is Never Equal, is the true story of the fight to end segregation in California in the late 1940s. Sylvia Mendez and her family moved to Westminster, California when she was a young girl. After years of hard field labor, her father finally had an opportunity to lease a farm. They were ready for a better life. However, Sylvia and her brothers were turned away at their local school. Despite speaking perfect English, they were told they had to go to “The Mexican School”. Hoover Elementary, which was known as The Mexican School was in terrible condition. The school had little to no resources and teachers who just didn’t care. This sparked the battle the Mendez family would fight to change segregation in the schools. This beautiful informational storybook will take you inside the courthouse to read actual quotes from the trial transcript. Read to see how Sylvia and her family paved the way for real change in our school system. The author’s note at the end gives a great update on the fight for equality that is still being fought today.
Analysis:
The book begins at the end, with Sylvia in the integrated school her parents fought for. What should be a victory is marred with taunts and hatred from the students at the newly integrated school. The author shows it was a fight worth fighting but the battle isn’t over yet. The book then takes the reader through the story of The Mendez family’s journey to a better life and better schooling. The dialogue in the trial scene is taken from the actual court transcripts. The quotes are inspired by conversations the author had with Sylvia Mendez in that span of a year and a half.
Duncan Tonatiuh uses his signature illustration style once again in this stunning book. Tonatiuh states at the end of the book that the illustrations were hand drawn, collaged, then finally colored digitally. His distinguishing style has the characters showing their profiles throughout the book. The ears and noses of every character take the same curled form. The lips are one of the few things that show expression but are usually drawn in a puckered position. The only difference is the shape of the eyes. Characters with a Mexican decent have a distinct oval shape to their eyes. On the front cover you can see two sets of children with their backs to each other that look the same except for their eye shape and hair color. I think this send a powerful statement to the youngest of readers about how similar all of the kids really are.
The author’s note at the end of the book gives fantastic details about the fight to end segregation. It even tells the reader where we are today with the fight for equality. The end also includes photographs, a glossary, bibliography, and index.
Reviews:
“Tonatiuh masterfully combines text and folk-inspired art to add an important piece to the mosaic of U.S. civil rights history.” ― Kirkus Reviews
“Pura Belpré Award–winning Tonatiuh makes excellent use of picture-book storytelling to bring attention to the 1947 California ruling against public-school segregation.” ― Booklist
Awards:
- Carter G Woodson Book Award, 2015 Winner, Elementary Level
- Jane Addams Children’s Book Awards, 2015 Winner
- Pura Belpre Award, 2015 Winner, Narrative
- Robert F. Sibert Honor Book
Connections:
Read a book about Ruby Bridges. Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges, is a great choice. ISBN-13 : 978-0590189231 As a class, use a Venn diagram to compare the two stories. Use a triple Venn to compare themselves to the two main characters.
As an art lesson, study the distinct style of the beautiful illustrations. Try drawing a profile self portrait that could fit in a Duncan Tonatiuh book. Consider books such as:
Dear Primo: A Letter TO My Cousin ISBN-13 : 978-0810938724
Danza! ISBN-13 : 978-1419725326
The Princess and The Warrior ISBN-13 : 978-1419721304
Accommodations:
Sometimes it is hard for students to understand that these amazing world changers are ordinary people. People that could be in school with them or a reflection of them. They could be the next trail blazer. Show the students a video of Sylvia Mendez receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Li-Berry-ian 