Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez

A Pura Belpre winner picture book illustrated by Yuyi Morales and written by Kathleen Krull. Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez is about Cesar Chavez’ life growing up and his fight for justice for migrant farm workers in California in the 1960s. The illustrations are inspiring with warms colors. The book begins with Cesar Chavez as a young boy living in Arizona with his family on their farm in the 1930s. In time, their farm begins to fail due to an extreme drought and they are forced to sell their farm. They must move to California where there is plentiful work, but terrible pay. Cesar grows up watching how his family and friends are treated unfairly due to poor working conditions, racism, and low pay. As he grows up, he starts to see hope and advocates for change. He does this through nonviolent protests and an exhausting march that forces the rich farm owners to give fair wages and better working conditions. For more by these authors, Yuyi Morales wrote and illustrated the acclaimed book Dreamers and Kathleen Krull is author of acclaimed book What Was the Boston Tea Party? (What Was?)

Teachers can use this book as a social justice lesson so that students can understand the significance of the Civil Rights era. Similarly, teacher can use this as a pre-reading activity to larger units on the Civil Rights era and the Great Depression

Krull, K.(2003). Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez. (Y. Morales, Illust.) HMH Books for Young Readers.