Jessie de la Cruz: A Profile of a United Farm Worker

By Gary Soto

Book Overview

This inspiring story of Jessie De La Cruz, the United Farmer Workers, and la Causa is told as only Gary Soto--novelist, essayist, poet, and himself a field laborer during his teens--can tell it, with respect, empathy, and deep compassion for the working poor.

A field worker from the age of five, Jessie knew poverty, harsh working conditions, and the exploitation of Mexicans and all poor people. Her response was to take a stand. She joined the fledgling United Farm Workers union and, at Cesar Chavez's request, became its first woman recruiter. She also participated in strikes, helped ban the crippling short-handle hoe, became a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, testified before the Senate, and met with the Pope.

Jessie's life story personalizes an historical movement and shows teens how an ordinary woman became extraordinary through her will to make change happen, not just for herself but for others.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0892552859
• ISBN13: 9780892552856
• Release Date: October 2002
• Publisher: Persea Books
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.5" x 8.2"
• Age Range: 14 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 9 to 12

Customer Reviews

one of the best book

I like the book because it was very interesting for me. It reminded me of my parents who work in the fields. How they come home hungry, tire and dirty. When my family and I came here we didn't had anything any family who could help us out. My family suffered a lot. When I was reading the book I got into it because the same reason I felt like there were talking about my family. In the end it got more interesting because Jessie talk about her life how she helped Cesar Chavez. I think they did a lot for all Mexicans people. I enjoyed reading the book.

Eloquently written biography of an amazing, strong woman!

This is an outstanding portrayal of an amazing woman, why have we never heard of her before? Soto does an outstanding job of tracing Jessie's life and realistically tracing her accomplishments and triumphs as well as her set backs and disappointments. How can anyone do so much in so little time? We always hear of Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta, yet this woman has never come into view. Now we can read all about her, thanks to Soto. This will be a best seller for sure. I think it is written for school age students but as an adult I marveled at its quality. Soto gives her the respect she deserves.