Barrio Rising, Maria Dolores Aguila
Barrio Rising, Maria Dolores Aguila
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Barrio Rising
The Protest that Built Chicano Park

Author: María Dolores Águila

Narrator: Victoria Villarreal

Unabridged: 20 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 09/24/2024

Synopsis

A vivid historical fiction account of the community activism behind San Diego's Chicano Park—home to the largest outdoor mural collection in the U.S.—and just one example of the Mexican American community’s rich history of resistance and resilience.

Barrio Logan, one of San Diego’s oldest Chicane neighborhoods, once brimmed with families and stretched all the way to the glorious San Diego Bay. But in the decades after WWII, the community lost their beach and bayfront to factories, junkyards, and an interstate that divided the neighborhood and forced around 5,000 people out of their homes. Then on April 22, 1970, residents discovered that the construction crew they believed was building a park—one the city had promised them years ago—was actually breaking ground for a police station. That’s when they knew it was time to make their voices heard. Barrio Rising invites readers to join a courageous young activist and her neighbors in their successful twelve-day land occupation and beyond, when Barrio Logan banned together and built the colorful park that would become the corazón of San Diego's Chicane community.

Also available in Spanish/también disponible en español: El barrio se levanta

*Two starred reviews!*
*"A marvelous testament to barrio-based might."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

About The Author

María Dolores Águila is a Chicana poet and writer from San Diego, California. Deeply inspired by Chicane history and art, she seeks to write empowering and inclusive stories about everything she learns. She also loves drinking coffee, browsing the bookshelves at her local library, and spending time with her family.Magdalena Mora is a Minneapolis-based illustrator and graphic designer. She has illustrated numerous picture books including Still Dreaming/Seguimos Soñando and The Notebook Keeper, both of which were 2023 Pura Belpre Honor award winners. Magdalena grew up between Chicago, Mexico, and California. When not drawing, Magdalena likes reading, people-watching, and trying to find the best tacos in the Twin Cities. Mostly the latter.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Bookishrealm

Loveeeddddd this! I was not familiar with the protests that led to the creation of Chicano Park. Once again, I’m in awe of the bits of history that picture books can provide to readers young and old. The artwork was breathtaking and I appreciate Maria Aguila and Magdalena Mora sharing this important......more

Goodreads review by Steena

I loved learning about the resilience of the people who fought for Chicano Park in Barrio Logan San Diego. As Elena, a young activist, protests alongside her community, her bravery will encourage readers to reflect on their own communities and to stand up for what they believe. The story resonated w......more

Goodreads review by alexis

The illustrations and writing are so beautiful and empowering for any age level. I love that this story of community resilience is in a children’s book format. I got my copy from Libelula’s book store in Barrio Logan!......more

Goodreads review by Erin

Chicano Park is a short drive from my house here in San Diego. I wonder how many families in San Diego who drive down the 5 know of Barrio Logan, one of the oldest Chicano neighborhoods in San Diego, and it's vibrantly painted city park. BARRIO RISING tells one portion of the heart wrenching history......more

Goodreads review by Hayra

Definitivamente es una historia que te permite reflexionar acerca de la comunidad hispana, sobre sus luchas y que nos asegura que no conocemos muchas de ellas y es importante hacerlo. Es necesario en darles voz a las causas de los latinxs y este libro es un gran ejemplo de como se puede utilizar un......more

Quotes

Jane Addams Children's Book Award Finalist
Kirkus Best Books of the Year
NPR Books We Love List
A One Book, One San Diego Kids selection
ILA 2025 Notable Books for a Global Society

*“A blossoming young activist joins her neighbors in the fight to build Chicano Park in Águila and Mora’s celebratory tribute to San Diego’s Chicane community. . . . Charged with soft purples, vivid greens, and bold reds, Mora’s lush digitally colored charcoal and watercolor artwork dreamily elevates this tale of social achievement, depicting pivotal scenes like a series of interconnected murals. Águila’s sharp, evocative text touches upon crucial moments: the community’s peaceful takeover of the disputed site, clashes with the police and city officials, and the arrival of allies in neighboring communities and across the state.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

*“In this activist picture book, a child living in San Diego’s Barrio Logan vividly narrates, in English and Spanish, a story of individual and collective strength. . . . In a powerful work that celebrates community engagement at any age, Mora’s pencil, charcoal, watercolor, and digital illustrations contrast hard-edged concrete and metal with cloudlike jacaranda blossoms and vivid hand-rendered murals.”—PW, starred review

“Águila weaves together images of daily life in Barrio Logan with community members’ experiences of the city’s lengthy neglect and environmental racism against their community, to tell the story of the fight to build the park, which was ultimately successful. . . . Mora employs a blend of vivid colors, sepia tones, and pastel hues to highlight the intensity of the struggle and the everyday beauty for which the protesters were fighting, ending with depictions of the inspiring murals that residents eventually painted in the park.”—Horn Book

“Told with lyricism, this picture book presents kids with a real-life community experience of advocacy. Readers will come to understand how the trials and tribulations of a group of vecinos uniting created something beautiful. Recommended for all collections, especially those serving Chicano ­communities.”—School Library Journal for El barrio se levanta

“This true-to-life title is a worthy addition to picture book collections, sure to spark conversation and inspire young readers.”—School Library Journal for Barrio Rising

“Chicana poet Águila employs lyrical language to depict a thinly fictionalized account of the April 1970 protest by San Diego's Barrio Logan residents . . . Aztec and Mayan cultural symbols appear throughout, reflecting the actual artwork in the park. Appended with a more detailed history of this event and additional resources, this is a welcome addition to Chicane resistance and resilience literature.”—Booklist

"A heroic, triumphant picture book."—WackyMommy.org

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