Juan Felipe Herrera: From Migrant to Poet Laureate

Juan Felipe Herrera had an unusual childhood traveling with his migrant parents from one farm to another. They did not speak much English, but they taught him much about the world around him. For this family it was a world that spanned two countries, Mexico and the United States. Young Juan learned early that his life had a lot in common with great literature. He loved stories from the time his mother first told them to him. Read more about Juan Felipe Herrera as he discovers his own voice and the road that led to him becoming the first Latino poet laureate in the United States.

Gr 4-6–Notable Hispanic Americans are profiled in these six volumes. Each book begins with a fictional exchange among youngsters, who discuss how they plan to emulate the subject. This is followed by information about the individual’s life from childhood to the present. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Nydia Velazquez were the first Cuban American and Puerto Rican American elected to Congress, where they fought for the rights of their constituents. Mario Molina’s interest in chemistry made him a pioneer in protecting the ozone. Sylvia Mendez continued to fight for educational rights long after her parents won a court decision to allow her to attend white schools. The struggle of each is related. For example, Molina faced opposition with his theory on chlorofluorocarbons and their effect on the atmosphere. The narratives are informative but not exciting. Readers might question why these people are considered “Unsung Heroes” given the numerous awards and accolades they have received. VERDICT Informative but dull, this series will be used for reports but browsers will pass. Purchase where there is a demand or to support the curriculum.--School Library Journal, November 1, 2020