Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna

by Alda P. Dobbs

Overview

• 2022 Pura Belpré Honor Book
• NYPL Best Book of 2021
• Texas Bluebonnet Master List Selection
• NPR Best Book of 2021

Based on a true story, the tale of one girl's perilous journey to cross the U.S. border and lead her family to safety during the Mexican Revolution.

"Wrenching debut about family, loss, and finding the strength to carry on."—Booklist, starred review

"Blazes bright, gripping readers until the novel's last page."—Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Vital and perilous and hopeful."—Alan Gratz, New York Times bestselling author of Refugee

It is 1913, and twelve-year-old Petra Luna's mama has died while the Revolution rages in Mexico. Before her papa is dragged away by soldiers, Petra vows to him that she will care for the family she has left—her abuelita, little sister Amelia, and baby brother Luisito—until they can be reunited. They flee north through the unforgiving desert as their town burns, searching for safe harbor in a world that offers none.

Each night when Petra closes her eyes, she holds her dreams close, especially her long-held desire to learn to read. Abuelita calls these barefoot dreams: "They're like us barefoot peasants and indios—they're not meant to go far." But Petra refuses to listen. Through battlefields and deserts, hunger and fear, Petra will stop at nothing to keep her family safe and lead them to a better life across the U.S. border—a life where her barefoot dreams could finally become reality.

"Dobbs' wrenching debut, about family, loss, and finding the strength to carry on, illuminates the harsh realities of war, the heartbreaking disparities between the poor and the rich, and the racism faced by Petra and her family. Readers will love Petra, who is as strong as the black-coal rock she carries with her and as beautiful as the diamond hidden within it."—Booklist, starred review

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798885782722
Publisher:	Gale, A Cengage Company
Publication date:	12/14/2022
Edition description:	Large Print
Pages:	350
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

Alda P. Dobbs is as passionate about connecting children to their past, their communities, and nature as she is about writing. Alda lives with her husband and two children outside Houston, Texas.

Editorial Reviews

"Dobbs’ wrenching debut, about family, loss, and finding the strength to carry on, illuminates the harsh realities of war, the heartbreaking disparities between the poor and the rich, and the racism faced by Petra and her family. Readers will love Petra, who is as strong as the black-coal rock she carries with her and as beautiful as the diamond hidden within it." — Booklist, STARRED review

"With vivid and poetic imagery and artfully balanced narrative tension, Dobbs’s assured writing blazes bright, gripping readers until the .novel’s last page" — Publishers Weekly, STARRED

"What hunger would you endure, what history would you sacrifice, what hazards would you brave to lead your family through a war? Petra Luna's incredible odyssey in pursuit of her ‘barefoot dreams’ is as vital and perilous and hopeful as that of today's dreamers, who still set off across the desert seeking a better life in America more than a hundred years later." — Alan Gratz, New York Times bestselling author of Refugee

"Historical fiction that is as relevant as ever...A timeless and timely tale of one girl’s journey to save her family and discover herself." — Kirkus Reviews

"This beautifully written and exciting story of a family fleeing during the Mexican revolution offers a new perspective in historical fiction. An excellent addition to all collections." — School Library Journal

"A brilliant and authentic historical novel about a young woman’s struggle for freedom. Petra Luna’s dream will fill your heart with courage" — Francisco X. Stork, award-winning author of Illegal

"Alda P. Dobbs’ stunning debut novel, set during the Mexican Revolution, recounts one girl’s determination to save her family and follow her dreams. Inspired by the author’s great-grandmother, Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna is as breath-taking as a shooting star. Although the novel takes place over a century ago, this moving story has a profound resonance today. The lovable characters, swift pacing, and simple yet poetic prose make this a captivating read for middle-graders and their entire families. I adored this book and will be recommending it far and wide!" — Laura Resau, award-winning author of TREE OF DREAMS and THE LIGHTNING QUEEN

"Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna will draw you in with its raw, evocative setting, and Petra herself will win your heart with her courage, resourcefulness, and unwavering love for her family. Lyrical, heartfelt, and deeply authentic, this book will stay on your mind long after you’ve read the last page." — J. Anderson Coats, award-winning author of The Many Reflections of Miss Jane Deming

"[She] was able to explain the basics of the conflict through the characters’ conversations, and... it’s an historic event that many students will be unfamiliar with and find interesting." — Youth Services Book Review

"Viscerally relevant to contemporary readers." — The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Teachers and librarians may want to use the example of the author's research into the events of the story as a teachable moment when explaining how to study and present information about history. " — School Library Connection

"With intense pacing, a timely storyline, and characters that come alive, this book is an absolute treasure" — Youth Services Book Review

From the Publisher

★ 09/01/2021

Gr 5 Up—Set during the Mexican Revolution, mostly during 1913, this book follows Petra and her grandmother, her sister, and her baby brother as they flee the Federales after the burning of their village. Loosely based on the stories from the author's own family, the novel weaves traditional Mestizo tales and desert knowledge, historical events, and original storytelling. The book is compelling, with well-paced action that flows and keeps readers engaged. The lyrical writing perfectly evokes the loneliness of the desert, the companionship of fellow refugees, and the bravery of Petra. Throughout the journey, Petra struggles to recognize that she is a leader in her family and must choose new paths even while respecting and balancing the place of her grandmother's traditional knowledge. The conclusion is thrilling, though cheapened slightly as Petra pedantically explains what she has learned. End materials include an author's note on Dobbs's own family's experiences and her research methods, as well as a time line of historical events. VERDICT This beautifully written and exciting story of a family fleeing during the Mexican revolution offers a new perspective in historical fiction. An excellent addition to all collections.—Elizabeth Nicolai, Anchorage P.L., AK

School Library Journal

Set in war-torn Mexico in 1913, this refugee story resonates with meaning today. Twelve-year-old Petra Luna struggles with her mother’s death in childbirth, the kidnapping of her father by soldiers, and the poverty of the lower rungs of the hacienda system. Narrator Ana Osorio fills the character with hope that shines through the horrors of war. Osorio creates memorable character voices for Petra Luna's world, smoothly weaving in the abundant Spanish that vibrantly sets the scenes. Petra Luna dreams of learning to read and finding safety for her family, but first she must get her abuelita, baby brother, and young sister across the desert and the U.S. border. S.T.C. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine

NOVEMBER 2021 - AudioFile

2021-07-08
Against the backdrop of revolution in northern Mexico, 12-year-old Petra Luna must undertake a hero’s journey.

The 1910 appearance of Halley’s comet, the citlalin popoca, is seen as a bad omen by many, but not Petra, a mestizo girl who believes in science and reason, not old superstitions. Omen or not, there are dark days ahead for Petra, as a military coup results in her father’s conscription, leaving her to provide for her family. Then the Federales return and destroy their village—but where is safe? Between the harsh environment and looming threats of violence, the only option left is to head north to los Estados Unidos and hope to cross the border. Along the way, Petra anchors herself in her aspirations for literacy and learning, bringing along the most treasured traditions of her ancestors and discarding those that no longer serve. The parallels between past and present government corruption and violence make this historical fiction that is as relevant as ever. Though the author drew inspiration from her own family stories from a century ago, the bones of the story could easily apply today. With its tight focus on Petra, the book does not address the broader historical context of the impact of U.S. involvement in Mesoamerican politics, but it may spark curiosity and encourage readers to explore this history on their own.

A timeless and timely tale of one girl’s journey to save her family and discover herself. (author's note, timeline) (Historical fiction. 10-14)

Kirkus Reviews