A Sea of Lemon Trees: The Corrido of Roberto Alvarez

Based on the true story of Roberto Alvarez and the Lemon Grove Incident, this vivid and uplifting middle grade debut novel in verse about one young child's courage to stand up for what is right, and the determination of the Mexican community is perfect for fans of ESPERANZA RISING and INSIDE OUT AND BACK AGAIN.

★ "Powerful and lyrical... A moving portrait of community resistance." - Kirkus, starred review

Twelve-year-old Roberto Alvarez is the youngest of his siblings, born on United States soil. He's el futuro, their dream for a life away from the fire of the Mexican Revolution.

Moved by anti-immigrant and anti-Mexican propaganda, the Lemon Grove school board and chamber of commerce create a separate "Americanization" school for the Mexican children attending the Lemon Grove Grammar School. But the new Olive Street School is an old barn retrofitted for the children forced to attend a segregated school.

Amid threats of deportation, the Comité de Vecinos risk everything to stand their ground and, with the support of the Mexican Consulate, choose Roberto as the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit against the school board in this vivid and uplifting novel in verse based on true events.

From critically-acclaimed author María Dolores Águila (Barrio Rising) comes an inspiring debut novel in verse set against the backdrop of the Great Depression and Mexican Repatriation, based on the true story of the United States' first successful school desegregation case, two decades before Brown v. Board of Education ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional.

Author: María Dolores Águila
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Published: 09/16/2025
Pages: 304
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.85lbs
Size: 8.30h x 5.40w x 1.20d
ISBN: 9781250342614
Audience: Ages 9-12


Review Citation(s):
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 07/01/2025
Kirkus Reviews 07/15/2025
Booklist 08/01/2025
Publishers Weekly 09/15/2025

About the Author
María Dolores Águila is a Chicana poet and author from San Diego. Deeply inspired by Chicane history and art, she seeks to write empowering and inclusive stories about everything she learns. She also loves drinking coffee, browsing the bookshelves at her local library, and spending time with her family. She is the author of the critically-acclaimed picture book, Barrio Rising, illustrated by Magdalena Mora.