ABOUT THIS BOOK

"A gentle text and innovative artwork depict a pivotal summer in a boy's life when he and his family leave their Texas home for farm work in Iowa. One morning, while his parents pick corn, Tomás visits the imposing town library and meets a kindly librarian who gently coaxes him inside. Throughout the hot days thereafter, she offers Tomás cool drinks of water and adventurous escapes into books; on slow days he teaches her Spanish until it's time to return home to Texas: 'I have a sad word to teach you today. The word is adiós. It means good-bye.' . . . While young readers and future librarians will find this an inspiring tale, the end note gives it a real kick: the story is based on an actual migrant worker [Tomás Rivera] who became chancellor of a university--where the library now bears his name."--Publishers Weekly


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Pat Mora, a Chicana educator, is a published poet and the author of several books for children.

Raul Colón was awarded the Silver Medal by the Society of Illustrators for Always My Dad, his first children's book.


AWARDS

WINNER 1997 - Tomas Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award



RELATED LINKS

Click here for Raul Colón’s printable Author Bio
Click here for Pat Mora’s printable Author Bio