10/18/2021
Dense paragraphs of small text outline the tale of Roberto Alvarez, a California-born student of Mexican heritage who, along with his Mexican and Mexican American peers, was instructed to attend a school separate from white students in 1930s California, resulting in the landmark case Roberto Alvarez v. the Board of Trustees of the Lemon Grove School District, the first court decision successfully desegregating schools. Brimner outlines Alvarez and his community’s fight for equal education in accessible prose: “The new school was not meant to help their students learn the English language and American customs, as the school board and newspapers claimed. The only thing that determined which of Lemon Grove’s two schools a youngster was to attend was the color of the child’s skin.” Gonzalez’s acrylic paintings on archival paper, offering thickly outlined figures of varying age and skin tone rendered in a vivid mural-like style, set this biography apart. Back matter includes an author’s note with photographs, sources, source notes, acknowledgments, and picture credits. Ages 7–10. (Sept.)
Kirkus Reviews Best Book
Bank Street College of Education Best Book of the Year
NCSS/CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book
★ "Separation is never equal. When the Lemon Grove School District’s board of trustees decided to expel every one of the 75 students who were of Mexican American descent in order to establish an all-White student body, the Lemon Grove Neighbor’s Committee—Comité de Vecinos de Lemon Grove—decided to take action. Brimner’s straightforward narrative follows Roberto Alvarez from his return to school after Christmas vacation only to be told he was no longer welcome to the day he was able to receive the same education as the White students. The substantial author’s note places this case in context with other desegregation cases in the U.S.—particularly in California. Gonzalez’s colorful and detailed mural-esque illustrations make the historical flavor of the times accessible. A critical contribution to discussions of equal access and of systemic racism."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"Brimner, known for his excellent, detailed books for older kids on the civil rights movement during the 1950s and ’60s, now addresses a younger audience with a simplified narrative in the main text, followed by a more complete account in the lengthy author’s note. Gonzalez’s richly colored illustrations, painted in acrylics, create a series of striking tableaux. Underscoring the importance of confronting discrimination, this picture book highlights a little- known court case that became a precedent for the Supreme Court’s landmark 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision."—Booklist
"Brimner narrates the events leading to the first successful school desegregation case, Roberto Alvarez v. the Board of Trustees of the Lemon Grove School District... Gonzalez’s double-page acrylic paintings enhance the narrative... (a)n author’s note, archival photos, and a bibliography append this work." —The Horn Book
"[Larry Dane Brimner]...outline(s) the tale of Roberto Alvarez, a California-born student of Mexican heritage who, along with his Mexican and Mexican American peers, was instructed to attend a school separate from white students in 1930s California, resulting in the landmark case Roberto Alvarez v. the Board of Trustees of the Lemon Grove School District, the first court decision successfully desegregating schools. Gonzalez’s acrylic paintings on archival paper, offering thickly outlined figures of varying age and skin tone rendered in a vivid mural-like style, set this biography apart. Back matter includes an author’s note with photographs, sources, source notes, acknowledgments, and picture credits." —Publishers Weekly
"[Without Separation]...presents an important look at one of the cases that eventually led to the historic U. S. Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka in 1954. A recommended purchase for large collections." —School Library Journal
"Without Separation is written with heartfelt respect and is buoyed by Larry Brimner’s consummate research. Maya Gonzalez's art is a glorious match to this poignant and celebratory account about our nation's first successful school desegregation case. A must-have for classrooms, school libraries, and readers who honor diversity." —Pam Muñoz Ryan, Newbery Honor and Orbis Pictus Award-winning author
“Another powerful story from the distinguished Larry Dane Brimner, which celebrates those who fought against past discrimination, and encourages today’s young readers to step up, too.” —Kirby Larson, Newbery Honor-winning author
“Brimner skillfully weaves threads of the past to recount the powerful story of Roberto Alvarez, reminding young readers that justice is the ripple of change.” —Rafael López, Pura Belpré Award-winning illustrator
“Careful research and vibrant illustrations combine to tell the inspiring story of a Mexican American community that stood up against prejudice and school segregation. Without Separation depicts an important yet almost unknown piece of American history that will resonate with young readers nowadays.” —Duncan Tonatiuh, Pura Belpré and Sibert Award-winning author and illustrator
“As always, Larry Dane Brimner unearths the forgotten chapters from America’s history and brings them to light. This powerful narrative is captured in Maya Gonzalez's richly textured folk art illustrations. Roberto Alvarez’s story celebrates the power young voices have in changing our world for the better.” —Lesa Cline-Ransome, author of Before She Was Harriet
10/01/2021
Gr 4–6—When 12-year-old Roberto Alvarez and other Mexican and Mexican American students were turned away from their elementary school in Lemon Grove, California, and sent to an inferior school for students of Mexican descent, their parents and others in the community chose to fight back against this blatant discrimination. Their actions eventually led to a case brought before the Superior Court of California in San Diego. (The story somewhat confusingly states that Roberto himself brought the case to court, when in fact he was the lead plaintiff, represented by attorney Fred Noon, as stated in the author's note.) In April, 1931, the court ruled in favor of the students, who won the right to attend school with their white peers. Gonzalez's colorful and imaginative illustrations humanize the somewhat technical story. Though not as compellingly told as Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family's Fight for Desegregation, this nonetheless presents an important look at one of the cases that eventually led to the historic U. S. Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka in 1954. The majority of the characters are depicted as Latinx, while the school principal and school board members present as white. Back matter includes historic photographs, a lengthy author's note, a bibliography, and source notes. VERDICT A recommended purchase for large collections; smaller collections would do well with just Separate Is Never Equal.—Sue Morgan, Hillsborough Cty. Sch. Dist., Hillsborough, CA
★ 2021-07-27
Separate but equal—even primary grade students understand this prejudicial oxymoron.
Separation is never equal. When the Lemon Grove School District’s board of trustees decided to expel every one of the 75 students who were of Mexican American descent in order to establish an all-White student body, the Lemon Grove Neighbor’s Committee—Comité de Vecinos de Lemon Grove—decided to take action. The Mexican consul in San Diego provided lawyers who filed on behalf of 12-year-old Roberto Alvarez in San Diego’s California Superior Court. Exploding the board of trustees’ assertion that the minority students were “backward and deficient,” Roberto himself, in fluent English, defended his position. This was the “first successfully fought school desegregation case in the United States.” On April 16, 1931, the decision was made public: “to immediately admit and receive…Roberto Alvarez, and all other pupils of Mexican parentage…without separation or segregation.” Brimner’s straightforward narrative follows Roberto Alvarez from his return to school after Christmas vacation only to be told he was no longer welcome to the day he was able to receive the same education as the White students. The substantial author’s note places this case in context with other desegregation cases in the U.S.—particularly in California. Gonzalez’s colorful and detailed mural-esque illustrations make the historical flavor of the times accessible.
A critical contribution to discussions of equal access and of systemic racism. (photos, sources, source notes) (Informational picture book. 8-11)
