Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Eisenhart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Relatable, heartening historical tale of 1930s court case.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
It's 1930, and 12-year-old Roberto Alvarez lives in A SEA OF LEMON TREES—the vast California citrus groves where his father and family members work picking fruit. The youngest in his family, he's an excellent student looking forward to returning to fifth grade and reading more books after the Christmas holidays. But instead, along with all the other Mexican and Mexican American kids, he's assigned to a "school" in a converted barn, with no resources. Roberto carries the hopes and dreams of his whole family, who join others in the community to resist the order and soon find themselves threatened with job loss, deportation, and more. Soon Roberto—fluent in English and Spanish—is the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit against the district's segregation policy, which went to trial in 1931.
Is It Any Good?
Inspired by her own family history, María Dolores Águila spins a stirring, impeccably researched tale of a 1930s California school segregation case, as seen by its 12-year-old lead plaintiff. In A Sea of Lemon Trees, Roberto is a regular kid with lots of pals who looks forward to piñata parties and thinks girls are strange, but also carries the hopes and dreams of his family and the extended community. Readers will share his outrage at being badly treated and cheer the community's determination to do something about it. It's a fascinating look into almost century-old events that resonate with life today, and also a relatable look at life as a kid between worlds.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about historical tales like A Sea of Lemon Trees that are told by the kids who actually took part in them. Do stories like that make you see the past in a different way? Do they have anything to do with the way things are now?
For some people, skin color is important to their identity. For others, not so much. How do your friends and family feel? Do you agree?
Sometimes doing the right thing carries a heavy price. If you or your loved ones were being threatened for trying to right a wrong, how would you feel, and what would you do?
Talk about the long journey to justice as portrayed in this book. Why did the characters persevere? If you'd been in their shoes, could you have kept going? When have you tried really hard for a long time at something? Was it worth it?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Poetry
- Topics : Activism ( Civic engagement , Racial justice ) , Faith ( Christianity ) , History , School ( Elementary School )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Gratitude , Integrity , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Roaring Brook Press
- Publication date : September 16, 2025
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 304
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Awards : ALA Best and Notable Books , Common Sense Selection , Newbery Medal and Honors , Pura Belpré Awards and Honors
- Last updated : March 19, 2026
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