Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 06/01/2014 Gr 6–9—Brimner's comprehensive history of the United Farm Workers (UFW) begins not with Cesar Chavez but with the action of a group of Filipino farm workers who walked off the California fields in 1965. He combines the little-known story of the Filipino workers, a significant segment of migrant farm workers, with that of Chavez and the Hispanic workers, whose actions have received far more attention. Brimner is sympathetic to the plight of all the farm workers and emphasizes both their poverty and powerlessness and the dangers and bravery of their long struggle to win bargaining rights from their powerful employers. He is objective about Chavez, providing both praise and criticism of his role as union and civil rights leader. One of the book's strongest points is a discussion of how Hispanic organizers Chavez and Deloris Huerta and their Filipino counterpart Larry Itliong worked to overcome grower-exploited cultural differences between the two groups and persuade them to trust and work together. The text is supplemented with well-chosen primary source quotes, large period photos and political cartoons, and sidebars. Although many titles such as Barbara J. Davis's The National Grape Boycott: A Victory for Farmworkers (Compass Point, 2008) offer general background and well-written coverage of Chavez and Hispanic workers, Brimner's inclusion of information about the Filipino workers who began the movement, quotes and balanced discussion of Chavez's strengths and weaknesses provides a fresh perspective on the movement, making this book a first-purchase choice for middle-level researchers.—Mary Mueller, Rolla Public Schools, MO - Copyright 2014 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 10/01/2014 *Starred Review* Although a number of books celebrating César Chávez are available for younger children, few titles provide more in-depth coverage for older readers. This informative volume offers a detailed, nuanced discussion of the man and the California agricultural workers’ movement. The story begins in 1965, with Filipino farm workers leaving the vineyards to strike for better wages and living conditions. Next, Brimner follows Chávez as he grows up in a family of migrant workers, becomes an organizer, and leads the National Farm Workers of America for many years, using tactics such as strikes, boycotts, and fasting. The book’s large format and spacious design offer plenty of room for text, many black-and-white photos, stylized illustrations, wide borders, sidebars, and quotes (in Spanish and English). Though portraying Chávez as hardworking, inspirational, and effective, the book also shows him as a controversial leader who, later in life, could be high-handed in directing what “his” union would do. Brimner also credits the contributions of Larry Itliong, from the Filipino movement, as well as Dolores Huerta and others within the NFWA while placing events within the political and social context of their turbulent times. Well researched, well sourced, and clearly written, this book is an excellent resource for young people. - Copyright 2014 Booklist.