A SEA OF LEMON TREES

Based on the true story of Roberto Alvarez and the 1931 Lemon Grove Incident court case, picture book author Águila’s middle-grade debut follows unsettling changes that upend and galvanize a community.

Over winter break, Roberto’s classmate Socorro’s cousins arrive in San Diego, driven away from Oklahoma by deportation raids on Mexican families. When break is over, Roberto, an eager student who excels in his studies, is barred along with other Mexican American students from Lemon Grove Grammar School. They’re told to attend the new Olive Street School, which is housed in a renovated barn. Roberto knows this is wrong. The barrio residents quickly organize as el Comité de Vecinos de Lemon Grove and take legal action. Twelve-year-old Roberto becomes the lead plaintiff in what will become a life-changing desegregation case—the first successful one in the U.S. Despite threats and the looming fear of retaliation, the community stands firm. Families raise legal funds, face truancy charges, and suffer the deportation of loved ones. Ultimately, the court rules in their favor, but the victory is bittersweet after the losses they’ve endured. This evocative novel in verse is beautifully crafted with both gravity and heart. Roberto’s voice is powerful and lyrical, capturing feelings of fear and solidarity. An informative author’s note provides historical context about the Lemon Grove Incident and the Mexican Repatriation of 1929-1939, making this an especially timely and poignant read.

A moving portrait of community resistance and a young boy’s quiet courage.