Al Otro Lado del Río / The Other Side of the River - (Petra Luna) by Alda P Dobbs (Paperback)

About the Book

"Petra Luna is in America, having escaped the Mexican Revolution and the terror of the Federales. Now that they are safe, Petra and her family can begin again, in this country that promises so much. Still, twelve-year-old Petra knows that her abuelita, little sister, and baby brother depend on her to survive. She leads her family from a smallpox-stricken refugee camp on the Texas border to the buzzing city of San Antonio, where they work hard to build a new life. And for the first time ever, Petra has a chance to learn to read and write. Yet Petra also sees in America attitudes she thought she'd left behind on the other side of the Rio Grande--people who look down on her mestizo skin and bare feet, who think someone like her doesn't deserve more from life. Petra wants more. Isn't that what the revolution is about? Her strength and courage will be tested like never before as she fights for herself, her family, and her dreams"--

Book Synopsis

De la autora de Los sueños descalzos de Petra Luna, Libro de Honor Pura Belpré 2022, llega una nueva y fascinante novela sobre una niña de doce años que construye una nueva vida en Estados Unidos.

Petra Luna, de doce años, está en Estados Unidos después de escapar de la Revolución Mexicana. Ahora que están a salvo, Petra, sus dos hermanos menores y su abuelita tienen la oportunidad de empezar de nuevo, en este país que promete tanto.

La niña guía a su familia desde un campo de refugiados hasta la ciudad de San Antonio, encontrándose oportunidades y obstáculos en cada vuelta de la esquina. A medida que su familia construye lentamente sus nuevas vidas, Petra empieza a creer que incluso sus sueños más lejanos de aprender a leer y escribir están al alcance.

Sin embargo, también en Estados Unidos ve los extremos de riqueza y pobreza que creía haber dejado atrás, y se cuestiona si es mejor regresar a México para luchar por una vida mejor ahí. Pronto, Petra encuentra que su fuerza y valentía son puestas a prueba mientras descubre por lo que realmente vale la pena luchar.

ENGLISH DESCRIPTION

From the author of highly acclaimed Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna -a 2022 Pura Belpré Honor Book- comes a compelling new novel about a twelve-year-old girl who builds a New Life in America

Twelve-year-old Petra Luna is in America after escaping the Mexican Revolution. Now that they are safe, Petra, her two younger siblings, and her abuelita have a chance to begin again, in this country that promises so much.

She leads her family from a smallpox-stricken refugee camp to the city of San Antonio, meeting with both opportunities and obstacles at every turn. As her family slowly builds their new lives, Petra starts to believe that even her most remote dreams of learning to read and write are within reach.

Yet she also sees in America the extremes of rich and poor that she thought she'd left behind, and she begins to wonder if it's better to return to Mexico to fight for a better life there. Soon Petra finds her strength and courage tested as she discovers for herself what's truly worth fighting for.

About the Author

ALDA P. DOBBS siente tanta pasión por conectar a los niños con su pasado, sus comunidades y la naturaleza como la siente por la escritura. Alda vive con su esposo y dos hijos en las afueras de Houston, Texas.