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“A charming, true story about the encounter between the boy who would become chancellor at the University of California at Riverside and a librarian in Iowa.” –Kirkus Reviews

Tomas and the Library Lady

Written by Pat Mora
Illustrated by Raul Coln
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers

Tomas is a son of migrant workers. Every summer he and his family follow the crops north from Texas to Iowa, spending long, arduous days in the fields. At night they gather around to hear Grandfather’s wonderful stories. But before long, Tomas knows all the stories by heart. “There are more stories in the library,” Papa Grande tells him. The very next day, Tomas meets the library lady and a whole new world opens up for him. Based on the true story of the Mexican American author and educator Tomas Rivera, a child of migrant workers who went on to become the first minority Chancellor in the University of California system, this inspirational story suggests what libraries–and education–can make possible. Raul Coln’s warm, expressive paintings perfectly interweave the harsh realities of Tomas’s life, the joyful imaginings he finds in books, and his special relationships with a wise grandfather and a caring librarian.

Primary ISBN: 9780679804017
Available As: Hardcover, Paperback
Picture Book, Age 06 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , ,

Setting: United States (Iowa)

Character’s New Arrival/New American Status: Immigrant

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