Kids Book Index
Cover of A Sea of Lemon Trees: The Corrido of Roberto Alvarez

A Sea of Lemon Trees: The Corrido of Roberto Alvarez

María Dolores Águila

In 1929 Lemon Grove, California, fifth grader Roberto Alvarez learns after Christmas break that Mexican students can no longer attend their grammar school. Roberto and his friends from la colonia are ordered to a converted barn instead. As families organize against the segregation order, children face consequences for staying home, and Roberto’s friend David faces deportation despite being a U.S. citizen. Roberto, who loves school, becomes lead plaintiff in the community’s case against the school board.

This book appears on 7 reading lists across 2 editions from 7 organizations.

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Book details

Lexile Text Measure
800L
ATOS Book Level
5.1
AR Interest Level
MG
AR Points
3
Word Count
17,705
Fountas & Pinnell Text Level
S
Themes
Activism · Community · History · Racism And Prejudice · Social Justice
Format
Hardcover
Publisher
Roaring Brook Press
Published
September 16, 2025
Pages
304
ISBN-13
9781250342614
Language
English
Cooperative Children's Book Center, University of Wisconsin–MadisonCCBC Choices
  • 2026Fiction for Children
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