The Verse Novel Shelf
Cover of A Sea of Lemon Trees: The Corrido of Roberto Alvarez

At a glance

Published
2025
Publisher
Roaring Brook Press
Subgenre
Historical
Words
17,705
Section
Middle Grade

A Sea of Lemon Trees: The Corrido of Roberto Alvarez

María Dolores Águila

In 1931 near San Diego, twelve-year-old Roberto Alvarez, the only one of his siblings born in the U.S., is named plaintiff when his Mexican immigrant community fights the segregation of its children into a separate school. Based on the real Lemon Grove Incident.

  • Newbery Honor 2026
  • National Book Award Longlist 2025
  • NCTE Notable Verse Novel 2026
  • Pura Belpré Children's Author Honor 2026
  • Charlotte Huck Award 2026
  • Jane Addams Children's Book Award 2026
  • Scott O'Dell Award 2026
  • ALSC Notable Children's Book 2026
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Themes

FamilyImmigration & refugeesRace & racismActivism & justiceCommunity & school

Mood

Feels challenging, inspiring, informative.

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