School Library Journal Review
Gr 4-6-Sixth grader Lu Olivera is born to run, but worries that her parents, immigrants from Argentina, will not allow her to pursue sports. Undeterred, she starts to pal up with talented African American runner Belinda. Lu's world starts to shift away from old friends like Phyllis and Abigail, whose eyes are firmly planted on teen fashion magazines portraying mostly blue-eyed and blonde girls and whose families are against racial integration. Instead, the tween is drawn to the more socially conscious world of her older sister Marina and her crush Sam, who are both working on the campaign to defeat George Wallace's 1970 reelection. Her awareness of the racism against brown and black people and the personal and political efforts to fight it start to garner more of her attention and spur her to action. Young first-generation immigrants will see themselves reflected in Lu when she translates for a Cuban neighbor, and again when she finds herself "in the middle" and must either stand with her friends Belinda and Spider or side against them with her silence. Colloquial language and pop references abound, with detailed pencil illustrations at the onset of each chapter. VERDICT A well-drawn depiction of an immigrant experience with a social justice lens. A solid addition for public and school libraries.-Sara Lissa Paulson, City-As-School High School, New York City © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Set in 1970 in the fictional town of Red Grove, Ala., this debut for young readers by Weaver (Darkroom) follows a sixth-grade class during the first year of integrated public schools through the bubbly voice of Argentinian immigrant Lu Olivera, who sits in the middle row, between the black and white students. Election year campaigning provides the backdrop: Governor Brewer, who favored school integration, is fighting for his seat against segregationist ex-governor George Wallace. After Lu discovers that she shares a talent for running with Belinda, a black classmate, their friendship grows, but Lu's former friends become distant and mean. Politics infiltrate the classroom as some parents prepare to send their kids to private school, and Lu's attempts to remain apolitical backfire, particularly with the cute boy she likes. As tensions build, Lu longs for the courage to "really speak up, like somebody with surefire gumption and the good sense to stand up for her friends." Readers will root for this spirited protagonist to find her moral footing in this solid, enjoyable work of historical fiction. Ages 8-12. (July) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.