Soldier for Equality
José de la Luz Sáenz and the Great War
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- $9.99
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
Soldier for Equality: José de la Luz Sáenz and the Great War is the incredible story of one man’s fight for Mexican American civil rights, from award-winning picture book creator Duncan Tonatiuh.
A 2020 Pura Belpré Award Author Honor Book
A 2020 Association of Library Service to Children Notable Children's Book
José de la Luz Sáenz (Luz) believed in fighting for what was right. Though born in the United States, Luz often faced prejudice because of his Mexican heritage. Determined to help his community, even in the face of discrimination, he taught school—children during the day and adults in the evenings.
When World War I broke out, Luz joined the army, as did many others. His ability to quickly learn languages made him an invaluable member of the Intelligence Office in Europe. However, Luz found that prejudice followed him even to war, and despite his efforts, he often didn’t receive credit for his contributions. Upon returning home to Texas, he joined with other Mexican American veterans to create the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), which today is the largest and oldest Latinx civil rights organization.
Using his signature illustration style and Luz’s diary entries from the war, award-winning author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh tells the story of a Mexican American war hero and his fight for equality.
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Although he was an American citizen, Jos de la Luz S enz (1888 1953) was beaten up and denied access to local Texan businesses because his parents were of Mexican origin. He determined to fight back: "Luz knew that knowledge was a weapon that helped you defend yourself against those who were mean to you and ignored your rights." First a teacher, he joined the army and shipped out to Europe to fight in WWI. Quick to learn French, he was promoted to intelligence work, but he was never given a higher rank or more pay. His friendships with other Mexican-American soldiers led him to help form the League of United Latin American Citizens, an organization that advocated for equal rights for Latinx Americans. Characteristic illustrations by Tonatiuh (Danza!) use carved-stone faces and formal, ceremonial postures to represent the characters in this picture book. An inspiring introduction to an underrepresented figure who pursued his lifelong vision for equality and justice. Ages 6 8.
