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

On the Wings of Heroes

I Survived the Nazi Invasion

Lily's Promise

The Only Road

Nya's Long Walk: A Step at a Time

Whittington

The Secret of NIMH

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

I Survived the Nazi Invasion

Lauren Tarshis, 2014

Lily's Promise

Kathryn Erskine, 2021

The Only Road

Alexandra Diaz, 2016

Nya's Long Walk: A Step at a Time

Linda Sue Park, Brian Pinkney, 2019

Whittington

S.D. Schindler, Alan Armstrong, 2005

The Secret of NIMH

Robert C. O'brien, 1971