Character Names
She is the 12-year-old protagonist who dreams of becoming a healer, but her family’s life as migrant farmworkers brings many challenges.
Who is Lula?
Lula feels torn between following her dreams and doing this to support her family’s needs as migrant farmworkers.
What is working in the fields?
Lula and her family live and work as migrant farmworkers in this state, known for its agricultural industry.
What is California?
This is someone who is active in campaigning for change, normally on political or social issues.
What is an Activist?
This character is Lula’s older sister, whose strength and independence inspire Lula throughout their journey.
Who is Concha?
Lula shows bravery and grows in confidence when she decides to join this movement alongside her family and other workers.
What is the farmworkers' strike?
Lula’s family lives in one of these makeshift homes, which highlight the harsh and impoverished conditions farmworkers face.
What is a labor camp (or shack)?
This civil rights leader received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, partly due to his adherence to Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolence.
Who is Martin Luther King Jr.?
This character is Lula’s loving but stern mother, who fears for her family’s safety as they fight for labor rights.
Who is Mamá?
Throughout the novel, Lula has a complicated relationship with this person, who disapproves of her desire to take part in protests.
Who is Papa?
Much of the story takes place in these types of fields, where Lula’s family and others work long, difficult hours under the sun.
What are vegetable fields?
While leading the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King Jr. was inspired by this leader’s successful use of nonviolent civil disobedience to achieve independence for India.
Who is Mahatma Gandhi?
This character is an activist who encourages Lula and her family to join the fight for better conditions for farmworkers.
Who is Dolores Huerta or Cesar Chavez?
This well-known labor activist becomes a source of inspiration for Lula, encouraging her to fight for justice.
Who is Dolores Huerta?
The novel is set during this era of labor strikes in the United States, when farmworkers began organizing for better wages and working conditions.
What is the 1960s?
The farmworkers, including Lula's family, participate in this type of action, refusing to work until their demands for better conditions are met.
What is a strike?
He is a harsh and unforgiving farm boss who tries to keep the workers under control by any means necessary.
Who is Don Gustavo?
The novel concludes with this outcome, reflecting the strength and perseverance of Lula’s family despite their hardships.
What is Lula’s family finding hope and unity after the protest?
The unforgiving heat and this natural element play a constant role in shaping Lula’s and her family’s daily experiences as they toil in the fields.
What is the sun?
One of the primary demands of the United Farm Workers was for this, ensuring fair compensation for laborers.
What is better wages?