Dolores Huerta Stands Strong: The Woman Who Demanded Justice

Gr 5–8—Though Dolores Huerta is an indispensable advocate for the rights of farmworkers, especially during the mid-to-late 20th century, she often took a public backseat to César Chávez. Despite being an effective organizer, negotiator and speaker, "sexism kept her hidden." While her successful campaigning and leadership is impressive by itself—she was instrumental in forming the first union for farmworkers, among many other achievements—she did this while raising 11 children, often as a single mother. Huerta's activism eventually grew to include campaigning for women's rights. Brill's writing is clear and accessible for middle grade readers; she takes complex issues, such as unionizing, collective bargaining, and Communism, and makes them comprehensible for the intended audience. Many of the issues Huerta championed—workers' rights, the living conditions of immigrants, women's equality—are still timely topics that will resonate with today's youths. Photographs help bring Brill's text to life, and the extensive back matter will lead readers to further research.