A Sea of Lemon Trees: The Corrido of Roberto Alvarez

by María Dolores Águila

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

Amid the Great Depression, a young Mexican boy stands up for his future and his people in this novel based on the true story of the United States' first successful school desegregation case.

★ 2025 NATIONAL BOOK AWARD LONGLIST FOR YOUNG PEOPLE'S LITERATURE ★

Based on the true story of Roberto Alvarez and the Lemon Grove Incident, this vivid and uplifting middle grade debut novel in verse about one young child's courage to stand up for what is right, and the determination of the Mexican community is perfect for fans of ESPERANZA RISING and INSIDE OUT AND BACK AGAIN.

★ “Powerful and lyrical… A moving portrait of community resistance.” - Kirkus, starred review
★ “Empowering.” - Publishers Weekly, starred review

Twelve-year-old Roberto Alvarez is the youngest of his siblings, born on United States soil. He’s el futuro, their dream for a life away from the fire of the Mexican Revolution.

Moved by anti-immigrant and anti-Mexican propaganda, the Lemon Grove school board and chamber of commerce create a separate “Americanization” school for the Mexican children attending the Lemon Grove Grammar School. But the new Olive Street School is an old barn retrofitted for the children forced to attend a segregated school.

Amid threats of deportation, the Comité de Vecinos risk everything to stand their ground and, with the support of the Mexican Consulate, choose Roberto as the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit against the school board in this vivid and uplifting novel in verse based on true events.

From critically-acclaimed author María Dolores Águila (Barrio Rising) comes an inspiring novel in verse set against the backdrop of the Great Depression and Mexican Repatriation, based on the true story of the United States' first successful school desegregation case, two decades before Brown v. Board of Education ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250342607
Publisher:	Roaring Brook Press
Publication date:	09/16/2025
Sold by:	Macmillan
Format:	eBook
Pages:	304
File size:	2 MB
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

María Dolores Águila is a Chicana poet and author from San Diego. Deeply inspired by Chicane history and art, she seeks to write empowering and inclusive stories about everything she learns. She also loves drinking coffee, browsing the bookshelves at her local library, and spending time with her family. She is the author of the critically-acclaimed picture book, Barrio Rising, illustrated by Magdalena Mora.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for A SEA OF LEMON TREES
A 2025 NATIONAL BOOK AWARD LONGLIST FOR YOUNG PEOPLE'S LITERATURE

★ “This evocative novel in verse is beautifully crafted with both gravity and heart. Roberto’s voice is powerful and lyrical, capturing feelings of fear and solidarity… A moving portrait of community resistance and a young boy’s quiet courage.” - Kirkus, starred review

★ "Brief, stirring free-verse poems... This impeccably researched account, told via lucid, moving free verse, imparts timely, heartening messages about community activism that will resonate." - Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Short and accessible sentences volley between beautifully simple and lyrically detailed, an elegance that nonetheless deals with a difficult period of history that feels all too current." - BCCB

"[A] fast-moving, introspective novel in verse based on true events." - Booklist

“A beautiful and essential lesson in courage.” – William Alexander, National Book Award-winning author of Goblin Secrets

“Poignantly told in Águila's heartfelt and accessible verse... A Sea of Lemon Trees belongs in every U.S. History classroom – Andrea Beatrice Arango, Newberry Honor Award-winning author of Iveliz Explains it All

“A deeply moving and poignant story about the strength of community, the ties that bond, and the power of coming together in the face of social injustice. A heart wrenching novel in verse that will have you crying with both outrage and triumph. – Monica Mancillas, author of Sing it Like Celia

“A must-read. Aguila sweeps us into our not-so-distant past with beautifully crafted verses full of heartache and hope--and with a timely eye to our own futures.” – Tracy Badua, author of Freddie Vs. The Family Curse

“The parallels to today left me breathless... This beautiful novel in verse about Roberto Alvarez, the young man who, along with his community, stood up to the injustices the community suffered, gives us hope that if we stand up for our rights, justice can prevail.” – Terry C. Jennings, author of The Little House of Hope and the Definitely Dominguita series

“A lyrical and engaging read celebrating community standing together against oppressors. Águila's beautiful telling of this landmark civil rights case reminds readers that courage is a seed that is nurtured by family, community and belief in justice. This book is a beautiful tale of determination, family and unity.” - Lizz Huerta, author of The Last Dreamer

From the Publisher

★ 2025-06-13
Based on the true story of Roberto Alvarez and the 1931 Lemon Grove Incident court case, picture book author Águila’s middle-grade debut follows unsettling changes that upend and galvanize a community.

Over winter break, Roberto’s classmate Socorro’s cousins arrive in San Diego, driven away from Oklahoma by deportation raids on Mexican families. When break is over, Roberto, an eager student who excels in his studies, is barred along with other Mexican American students from Lemon Grove Grammar School. They’re told to attend the new Olive Street School, which is housed in a renovated barn. Roberto knows this is wrong. The barrio residents quickly organize as el Comité de Vecinos de Lemon Grove and take legal action. Twelve-year-old Roberto becomes the lead plaintiff in what will become a life-changing desegregation case—the first successful one in the U.S. Despite threats and the looming fear of retaliation, the community stands firm. Families raise legal funds, face truancy charges, and suffer the deportation of loved ones. Ultimately, the court rules in their favor, but the victory is bittersweet after the losses they’ve endured. This evocative novel in verse is beautifully crafted with both gravity and heart. Roberto’s voice is powerful and lyrical, capturing feelings of fear and solidarity. An informative author’s note provides historical context about the Lemon Grove Incident and the Mexican Repatriation of 1929-1939, making this an especially timely and poignant read.

A moving portrait of community resistance and a young boy’s quiet courage. (historical note, bibliography)(Verse historical fiction. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews