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Basada en la historia real de una huelga de los peladores de pecanas en 1938 en San Antonio, Texas, esta novela, ganadora del Premio Pura Belpré de Literatura Infantil para Autor, es un conmovedor relato sobre la valentía de una adolescente para defender lo que es justo y sobre la fortaleza y la esperanza que se encuentran en la familia y la comunidad.
En el San Antonio de la década de 1930, Petra, de trece años, sueña con ir a la universidad y convertirse en escritora. Pero tras la muerte de su querido padre, con dos hermanos menores a su cuidado y una madrastra que lucha por sacar adelante a la familia, Petra se ve obligada a dejar la escuela para trabajar pelando pecanas en una fábrica.
Con la esperanza de que sea solo algo temporal, Petra intenta no desanimarse ante las agotadoras condiciones de trabajo. Sin embargo, cuando el ambiente insalubre provoca una tragedia y los ya bajos salarios de los trabajadores se reducen aún más, Petra comprende que las cosas deben cambiar. Junto a sus compañeros de trabajo, se declara en huelga para exigir mejores salarios y condiciones laborales más seguras, arriesgándolo todo con la esperanza de construir un futuro mejor.
ENGLISH DESCRIPTION
Based on the true story of a 1938 pecan shellers’ strike in San Antonio, Texas, this Pura Belpré Children’s Author Award–winning novel is a moving story of a teenage girl’s courage to stand up for what’s right and the strength and hope found in family and community.
In 1930s San Antonio, thirteen-year-old Petra dreams of going to college and becoming a writer. But after the death of her beloved father, with two younger siblings to care for and a stepmother struggling to make ends meet, Petra must drop out of school to shell pecans at a factory.
Hoping it’s only temporary, she tries not to despair over the grueling working conditions. But when the unhealthy environment leads to tragedy and workers’ already low wages are cut even further, Petra realizes things must change. Together with her coworkers, she goes on strike for higher wages and safer working conditions, risking everything in the hope of building a better future.
Praise for The Pecan Sheller
"A powerful, moving story explores the little-known but important story of the six-week pecan shellers' strike." — Booklist, starred review
"Using short chapters with quick pacing, Ruiz-Flores (Piece by Piece) unveils intimate and well-researched depictions of the Pecan Shellers Strike of 1938 and its impact on Mexican descendants and beyond." — Publishers Weekly, starred review
"The story deftly explores the nuances of both Petra's and Amá's relationship and traumas, as well as the strength and hope to be found in family and community. A poignantly, beautifully written tale." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"Based on the real-life pecan sheller's strike of 1938, Ruiz-Flores's captivating tale is filled with hope." — The New York Times Book Review
"Lupe Ruiz-Flores cracks open a time capsule revealing a daunting period in San Antonio's history and delicate layers of her main character—a young girl who stands to lose everything as she ignites a monumental protest for change." — Crystal Allen, author of Between Two Brothers
"Ruiz-Flores brings 1930s San Antonio and Petra's coming-of-age journey to life. What results is a story about resourcefulness, resilience, and love." — Diana López, author of Los Monstruos: Rooster and the Dancing Diablo