Cesar Chavez (People Who Made History) - Hardcover

Michelle E. Houle

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0737712996 ISBN 13: 9780737712995

Publisher: Greenhaven, 2003

Synopsis

From humble beginnings as a migrant laborer, César Chávez stood up against unscrupulous growers and championed the rights of farm workers. His efforts led to the founding of a union that fought to improve the lives of its poor and uneducated members.

About this title

From School Library Journal:

Grade 7 Up-Chavez is the subject of 17 essays excerpted from various biographies, social histories, and magazine articles. A contemporary of Martin Luther King, Jr., and Robert Kennedy (with continuing support from their widows), Chavez was a savior to innumerable exploited migrant workers in California for much of the second half of the 20th century. A conflation of opinions and personal observations about the nonviolent reformer, the book is also a piecemeal history of a social movement and its imperfect leader. Excellent for reports, the collection is organized into short subsections that facilitate scanning and offer multiple points of view. The prologue serves as an introductory biography against which to insert documentation of the struggles, social and political impact, tactics, and legacy of Chavez's Causa. The 19 appended documents range from the mission statement of the National Farm Workers Association to Bill Clinton's remarks upon the posthumous presentation of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The eclectic essays followed by discussion questions create a balanced and thought-provoking portrait of an important activist.
John Sigwald, Unger Memorial Library, Plainview, TX
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review:

"An annotated table of contents, discussion questions, a chronology, and a reading list add to each book's value, but it is the diversity of the source materials that will make books in the series particularly useful."
-- Booklist (April 2000) (Booklist 20000415)

"Introductory biographical information is followed by excerpts from the writings of contemporary and ancient historians and biographers and literary critics."
-- School Library Journal (March 2001) (School Library Journal 20010301)

"Both layout and organization contribute to the book's accessibility. An indispensible resource for those engaged in research or study."
-- School Library Journal (September 2000) (School Library Journal 20000901)

"The mixed focus on the personal life and public issues and controversies is effectively handled here. The use of a person to make a historical period come alive in rich depth is accomplished with real skill and finesse."
-- Kliatt (July 2000) (KLIATT 20000701)

"Essays are expertly selected, and despite being written for adults, are surprisingly accessible for high-school students."
--Booklist (March 2000) (Booklist 20000301)

About this edition

• Publisher: Greenhaven
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0737712996
• ISBN 13: 9780737712995
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 186