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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 *
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 an 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. Visit her online at mirelleortega.com.
Summary
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 *
Additional text
“The well-shaped narrative emphasizes the brothers' commitment to education, hard work, and community betterment.”
