Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Berry
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Emotional historical novel focuses on family.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RIVER picks up where Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna left off, with Petra and her family on the American side of the Mexican border. Petra has sworn to find her missing father, but she must take care of her grandmother and her younger sister and baby brother. Even when they find safety. Petra must fight against bigotry and fight for equal rights.
Is It Any Good?
Immigration can be controversial, but it's hard to imagine anyone who wouldn't root for Petra Luna in this moving sequel. She and her family work hard as they try to build a home in San Antonio, Texas. Hunger is always on their minds, and author Alda P. Dobbs details their struggles with compassion and urgency. The Other Side of the River is a satisfying end to an uplifting saga.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how The Other Side of the River depicts the Mexican Revolution. What were the revolutionaries fighting for?
Why is immigration such a controversial issue? How should immigrants be treated by neighboring countries?
Why is it so important to learn how to read and write? How does literacy affect a person's life?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Historical Fiction
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , History
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Sourcebooks for Young Readers
- Publication date : September 6, 2022
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 9 - 15
- Number of pages : 368
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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