The Other Side of the River (Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna)
Before her father was forced to join the Federales during the Mexican Revolution, Petra made a vow to keep their family safe. Despite her age, 12-year-old Petra is determined to provide for what’s left of her family, which includes her grandmother, younger sister, and infant brother. They escape Mexico and make it safely across the Rio Grande. However, new challenges arise, including hunger, smallpox, and the pressures of finding a job. If she can’t, they’ll be sent back to Mexico. She also dreams about learning to read and write, but are “barefoot” dreams possible for a poor immigrant girl?
The Other Side of the River is a charming tale of courage and survival. Petra is a kind-hearted and impressionable narrator. She’s the only person in her family capable of working, so she must support a family of four on her own in a new country without speaking the language. Petra must also navigate cultural nuances, like the importance of wearing shoes. She’s determined, but this sometimes leads her to forget the purpose of her journey: family. Petra learns about loyalty, trust, and while you can’t escape prejudice, you can stand against it. A delightful middle-grade historical novel about the struggles of starting anew while never forgetting where you came from.
