The Other Side of the River: Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna

On the Wings of Heroes

Texting the Underworld

A Little Piece of Ground

Oranges in No Man's Land

The Day of the Pelican

Kindness for Weakness

Lily's Promise

Petra Luna

It is 1913, and twelve-year-old Petra Luna's mama has died while the Revolution rages in Mexico. Before her papa is dragged away by soldiers, Petra vows to him that she will care for the family she has left―her abuelita, little sister Amelia, and baby brother Luisito―until they can be reunited. They flee north through the unforgiving desert as their town burns, searching for safe harbor in a world that offers none.

Each night when Petra closes her eyes, she holds her dreams close, especially her long-held desire to learn to read. Abuelita calls these barefoot dreams: "They're like us barefoot peasants and indios―they're not meant to go far." But Petra refuses to listen. Through battlefields and deserts, hunger and fear, Petra will stop at nothing to keep her family safe and lead them to a better life across the U.S. border―a life where her barefoot dreams could finally become reality.

Discover Your Child's Next Read

The Other Side of the River: Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna

Alda P. Dobbs, 2022

On the Wings of Heroes

Richard Peck, 2007

Texting the Underworld

Ellen Booraem, 2013

A Little Piece of Ground

Elizabeth Laird, Bill Neal, Sonia Nimr, 2003

Oranges in No Man's Land

Elizabeth Laird, 2006

The Day of the Pelican

Katherine Paterson, 2009

Kindness for Weakness

Shawn Goodman, 2013

Lily's Promise

Kathryn Erskine, 2021