Small Room, Big Dreams: The Journey of Julián and Joaquin Castro

by Monica Brown, Mirelle Ortega (Illustrator)

Overview

An informative, inspirational picture book biography about twins Julián and Joaquin Castro, who rose from poverty to become leaders for positive change in America.

The story of political powerhouse twins Julián and Joaquin Castro began in the small room that they shared with their grandmother Victoriana in San Antonio, Texas. Victoriana crossed the border from Mexico into Texas as a six-year-old orphan, marking the start of the family’s American journey. Her daughter Rosie, Julián and Joaquin’s mom, was an activist who helped the barrio through local government.

The strong women in their family inspired the twins to get involved in politics. Julián and Joaquin have been working at the local, state, and national level—as a former presidential candidate, mayor, and member of President Obama’s Cabinet, and a U.S. Congressman, respectively—to make the country a better place for everyone.

Acclaimed author Monica Brown and illustrator Mirelle Ortega depict the Castros’ political and personal accomplishments in this must-read picture book biography.

Also available in a Spanish edition: Pequeña habitación, grandes sueños.

* A Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year * 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062985736
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	05/04/2021
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	1,110,544
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 12.30(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	NC1080L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Monica Brown is the author of Small Room, Big Dreams: The Journey of Julián and Joaquin Castro; Pelé, King of Soccer / Pelé, El rey del fútbol; and Side by Side: The Story of Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez / Lado a lado: La historia de Dolores Huerta y César Chávez, as well as the Pura Belpré Honor Books My Name Is Celia / Me llamo Celia, Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos, and Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match / Marisol McDonald no combina. Monica lives in Flagstaff, Arizona, with her family. Find her at monicabrown.net.

Monica Brown es la autora de Small Room, Big Dreams: The Journey of Julián and Joaquin Castro; Pelé, King of Soccer / Pelé, El rey del fútbol; y Side by Side: The Story of Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez / Lado a lado: La historia de Dolores Huerta y César Chávez y de los libros ganadores del Honor Pura Belpré My Name Is Celia / Me llamo Celia, Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos y Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match / Marisol McDonald no combina. Monica vive en Flagstaff, Arizona, con su familia. Encuéntrala en monicabrown.net.

Mirelle Ortega is a writer and artist in Los Angeles. She is the author-illustrator of Magic: Once Upon a Faraway Land, a Pura Belpré Honor Book, and River of Mariposas. She is the illustrator of several books, including Small Room, Big Dreams: The Journey of Julián and Joaquin Castro by Monica Brown and Pepe and the Parade by Tracey Kyle. On Mirelle’s Pairing Day, she bonded with her familiar: a fluffy, friendly, and swift fox. Visit her online at mirelleortega.com.

Editorial Reviews

Wonderfully entertaining and inspiring.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“A solid addition to the growing shelf of political picture-book biographies.” — Booklist

“Invigorating. A brilliant example of how family ties can lead to great accomplishments as one embraces their cultural heritage.” — School Library Journal

“The well-shaped narrative emphasizes the brothers' commitment to education, hard work, and community betterment.” — Horn Book Magazine

From the Publisher

A solid addition to the growing shelf of political picture-book biographies.

Booklist

The well-shaped narrative emphasizes the brothers' commitment to education, hard work, and community betterment.

Horn Book Magazine

A solid addition to the growing shelf of political picture-book biographies.

Booklist

06/01/2021

Gr 3–6—From humble beginnings, Julián and Joaquin Castro have succeed in many areas of their life. With strong female role models, their Grandma Mamo and mom Rosie, it is no wonder the twins were led to a life of political service with emphasis on the challenges and inequalities facing Mexican Americans. From a young age, the boys assisted their mother as she fought for the rights of those in her community. The twins excelled in every aspect of their lives, from athletics to academics, ultimately becoming lawyers. Soon after, they made it a mission to serve their communities with positions as councilman and mayor (Julián) and in the U.S. House of Representatives (Joaquin). In 2019, Julián made a bid for president and though he was not successful, he and his brother are clearly not ready to give up their political aspirations. Vibrant, colorful illustrations with precise detail carry the biography along in an invigorating way. VERDICT A brilliant example of how family ties can lead to great accomplishments as one embraces their cultural heritage.—Martha Rico, Yselta I.S.D., TX

School Library Journal

★ 2021-03-31
Before they were twins in the political arena, Julián and Joaquin Castro were kids whose mother and grandmother sowed the seeds of their big dreams.

This biographical narration of their early years traces a natural path through the seemingly inevitable political journey of the Castro brothers, who channeled their competitive personalities (challenging each other in both tennis and student senate elections) into public service and the betterment of their own community. They are seen as following the example set by the two women who came before them: their maternal grandmother, Victoriana—who crossed the border at 7 and then dropped out of school in third grade but nevertheless valued education as a means to succeed—and their single mother, Rosie, who knew she needed a seat at the decision-making table and fought to get it, breaking glass ceilings for both women and Mexican Americans. Brown includes important context on migration, the often forgotten segregation targeting Mexicans and other Spanish-speaking populations, and the poor city planning that often affects marginalized communities. Ortega complements the narrative with details in the illustrations that emphasize the struggles that the Castro family overcame to achieve their successes, beginning in the small room the twins shared with their grandmother. Some Spanish is naturally introduced in the text and supported by context clues, and a glossary in the backmatter provides translations. A Spanish edition publishes simultaneously. (This book was reviewed digitally with 12-by-18-inch double-page spreads viewed at 43.2% of actual size.)

Wonderfully entertaining and inspiring. (author’s note, sources) (Picture book/biography. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews