Northern Lights Book Awards
Soldier for Equality: Jose de la Luz and the Great War
Winner of the Historical Category
Author/Illustrator: Duncan Tonatiuh
Abrams Books for Young Readers
Soldier for Equality is the incredible story of Jose de la Luz and his fight for equality for Mexican Americans.
Growing up in Texas, Jose de la Luz experienced prejudice all around him. He was bullied just because of his Mexican Heritage. He saw store fronts with signs indicating that Mexicans were not welcomed. Even worse, he and other children were forced to go to separate and inferior schools.
After graduating from high school in Alice, Texas, Luz, believing in the power of education, decided to become a teacher. After receiving his degree, he taught Mexican children during the day and in the evenings tutored adults. It was his way of giving back to his community.
In 1917 he enlisted in the Army, feeling it was his duty to serve his country. He also saw this as a way toward better treatment for his people, once fellow Americans saw the sacrifices he and other Mexicans were making for the United States.
While stationed in Europe, Luz taught himself French in just a matter of weeks. This caught the attention of a colonel who assigned him to the intelligence office.
Luz was not recognized for his efforts, nor was he promoted in rank. So, he decided to create an organization whose mission was to help Mexican soldiers who fought in the war. He believed, “Our hearts should be filled with satisfaction, because Mexican Americans risked their lives to fulfil their duty.”
Eventually this organization evolved into the League of United Latin American Citizens, which fights for the rights of all Latin Americans citizens in the U.S.
This is a fascinating biography, based in part on Luz’s diary entries from World War One. With a combination of hand-drawn and digitized art, Duncan Tonatiuh creates a stunning and well-researched testament to one man’s efforts.
All schools and libraries should make Soldier for Equality available to their young readers!
You can view the full list of Northern Lights Book Award winners here:http://northerndawnawards.com/2019-northern-lights-book-awards-winners/
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