Joelito's Big Decision: La Gran Decisión De Joelito (Bilingual English/Spanish)
by Ann Berlak (Author) Daniel Camacho (Illustrator)
When nine year old Joelito goes with his family to McMann's for his juicy Friday night burger, he finds his best friend Brandon standing in a crowd protesting the low pay his parents earn at the fast food restaurant. Will Joelito cross the picket line for a tasty burger? Find out in Joelito's Big Decision.
Cuando Joelito, de nueve años, va con su familia a McMann's por su jugosa hamburguesa del viernes por la noche, encuentra a su mejor amigo Brandon de pie entre una multitud que protesta por el bajo salario que ganan sus padres en el restaurante de comida rápida. ¿Joelito cruzará la línea de piquete por una sabrosa hamburguesa? Descúbrelo en La gran decisión de Joelito.
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School Library Journal
Gr 2–4—Joelito and his family love going to MacMann's every Friday for hamburgers, but this Friday is different. As his family near the restaurant, they see a large crowd gathered outside, cardboard signs in the air. Joelito's friend Brandon and his family are among the crowd, and soon the boy comes to understand their situation. Brandon's parents are asking for higher wages to be able to pay their bills, and although Joelito's parents do not have to worry about wages as much now, there was a time when his parents had to work hard picking grapes. Joelito realizes that it is important that he stand next to and support his friend so that others can have a better life. Illustrations depict a diverse neighborhood, and the memory Joelito's mother has of the demonstrations of her youth recall César Chávez and "Si Se Puede!" chants. A note at the end of the book briefly traces the demonstrations happening across the United States in recent years, calling for an increase in the minimum wage. An important story that introduces a current event and could be paired with books such as Duncan Tonatiuh's Separate Is Never Equal (Abrams, 2014) and Carmen T. Bernier-Grand's César (Two Lions, 2004). VERDICT Recommended for libraries looking to expand social justice and bilingual collections. --Selenia Paz, Helen Hall Library, League City, TX
Coopyright 2015 School Library Journal LLC, Used with permission
Review quotes
"An important story that introduces a current event... Recommended for libraries looking to expand social justice and bilingual collections." Selenia Paz, Helen Hall Library, League City, TX School Library Journal
"My current favorite book about activism is Joelito's Big Decision.... a story that is both explicitly about a particular action, but also about fairness, and a child's choices." Innosanto Nagara, author/illustrator of A is for Activist.
"This is a terrific read for kids, one that will teach them about fairness and responsibility in this era of growing inequality and injustice. I recommend it highly." Sonia Nieto, Professor Emerita, School of Education.
"We are happy to promote and distribute Joelito's — a wonderful new picture book for children on the rights of workers. Thank you Ann Berlak for writing such a needed book... Teaching For Change
"This is a wonderful book taking on a timely topic... Great story, beautifully told, terrific illustrations, and bilingual... wonderful!" Reach and Teach
"Teachers especially are encouraged to pick up a copy for their classrooms as they work to translate our admiration for fast food and other products into a meaningful discussion about workplace justice and social movement organizing. Indeed, as the publisher's promotional headline reads, 'no one is too young to learn that another world is possible.'" Andrew Stevens, Rank and File Canada
The bilingual children's book is a great story, addressing serious social issues both adults and working families face each day. The Register, United Food and Commercial Workers Union
LaborStart's Book of the Month September 2015 - LaborStart
