Duncan Tonatiuh’s award-winning book “Separate Is Never Equal” tells the incredible true story of one Latino family’s fight for educational equality. It’s a wonderful book to add to a reading list during Hispanic Heritage Month, as the story of the Mendez family and their fight against public school segregation in California was a pivotal turning point in America’s Hispanic civil rights movement.
The book received universal critical acclaim, and was the winner of the 2015 Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal and the 2015 Pura Belpre Award.
Seven years before Brown v. Board of Education, the Mendez family fought to end segregation in California schools. Discover their incredible story in this picture book from award-winning creator Duncan Tonatiuh
A Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor Book and Robert F. Sibert Honor Book!
Book Synopsis
When her family moved to Westminster, California in the 1940s, young Sylvia Mendez was excited about enrolling in her neighborhood school. But she and her brothers were turned away and told they had to attend the Mexican school instead. Sylvia could not understand why—she was an American citizen who spoke perfect English.
In response, the Mendez family organized a lawsuit that helped bring an end to segregated schooling in California in 1947, seven years before the landmark Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education ended segregation in schools across America.
Using his signature illustration style and incorporating his interviews with Sylvia Mendez, as well as information from court files and news accounts, award-winning author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh tells the inspiring story of the Mendez family’s fight for justice and equality.
You can click here (or below) to buy “Separate Is Never Equal” from Amazon.
Literature Unit
We’ve created a 13-page literature unit to accompany the book suitable for grades 3 through 5.
This Literature Unit is made up of 13 pages, including:
*The Robert F. Sibert Honor Assignment – Students are asked to discuss the book winning the Sibert award.
*Pura Belpre’ Honor Assignment – Students are asked to discuss the book winning the award.
*Critical Thinking Questions – Six questions about a student’s thoughts and feelings about the story.
*Fact and Opinion – Students are given statements from the book, and asked to determine which are fact, and which are opinions.
*Character Traits – Students use a chart to discuss the character traits of Mr. Mendez.
*Compare and Contrast – A one-page activity using a Venn Diagram.
*Vocabulary Definitions – A one-page activity in which students match key words from the book to its definition.
*Comprehension Questions – Ten multiple choice questions recalling key points in the book. An answer key is provided.
Screenshots from the unit are included below.
Click here to order the literature unit from our online store!