First Day in What?

FIRST DAY IN GRAPES, by King L. Perez
AR Level: 3.2 Points: .5

Chico is the son of migrant workers who travel all over California, following the crops. He keeps track of where they are by what fruit or vegetable they are harvesting. This is the story of September and his first day in the school where the family is living while they pick grapes. He is prepared for school to be difficult because many times it is—the other kids make fun of him because he sometimes speaks Spanish and he’s always the new kid. Every morning when he leaves for school, his mother makes him stand up straight. He wonders about his, until he realizes why she does it when two bullies pick on him in the lunchroom and he squares his back, calling on his inner strength and courage. He uses his quick wit and math knowledge to get the two bullies to leave him alone, and he realizes that maybe this time, the days of grapes won’t be so bad. This book would be a good companion book to read along with Esperanza Rising.