Philip Vera Cruz - (Leaders Like Us) by Karen Su (Hardcover)

About the Book

Philip Vera Cruz came to the United States from the Philippines in search of an education. Instead, he became a farm worker to survive.

Book Synopsis

The United Farm Workers union has an interesting past, and it's all thanks to Philip Vera Cruz. This biography tells the story an unsung hero and Filipino farm worker that led the historic Delano strike, grape boycott, and the formation of the United Farm Workers union--part of the Leaders Like Us series.

Philip Vera Cruz came to the United States from the Philippines in search of an education. Instead, he had to work different jobs to survive. Learn about how he and other Filipino farm workers, the manongs, started the historic strike in Delano, California that led to a grape boycott and the birth of the United Farm Workers union. Learn all about Philip's early life, struggles, and all of his accomplishments.

Fun Storybook Features:

• This children's book features a timeline, post-reading questions, and an interactive activity to develop reading comprehension skills.
• 24 pages of vibrant illustrations

About Rourke Educational Media:

We proudly publish respectful and relevant nonfiction and fiction titles that represent our diverse readers, and are designed to support reading on a level that has no limits!

From the Back Cover

Read about Philip Vera Cruz who was born in the Philippines and worked on farms there until he came to the U.S. in 1926. Even though he hoped to go to school, he had to work many different jobs to survive and only went to one year of university. Learn about how he and other Filipino farm workers - the manongs - started the historic strike in Delano, CA that led to a grape boycott and the birth of the United Farm Workers union that became known around the world.

Review Quotes

The latest additions to the Leaders like Us series give readers a chance to dig into the stories of two inspiring Asian American figures. In Grace Lee Boggs, readers meet this Chinese American activist who became involved in many grassroots causes, from affordable housing to civil rights to women's rights. The text follows Boggs from a childhood marked by poverty to her academic successes and long career in community activism. Philip Vera Cruz looks at an activist from the Philippines, who fought for farmworkers' rights in California. The book describes Cruz's ambition to be a "Fountain-pen boy" (a scholarship student in the U.S.), the derailment of his plans, and his pivotal role as a union organizer during the Delano Grape Strike. Both titles touch on the racism Boggs and Cruz faced during their lives but keep their primary focus on the hard work and achievements of each. The series features colorful, inviting illustrations as well as thoughtful front and back matter, which include pre-reading questions and activities to help readers navigate the text, a time line, reading- comprehension questions, extension activities, and advice on how to close-read the text. These biographies of relatively unsung heroes are perfect for history lessons or for those who want to learn more about the importance of activism and having a voice. -- Booklist

This charmingly illustrated biography series introduces young readers to leaders in diverse fields. Before and after reading activities are supplied for caregivers; these include how to close-read a text and how to tap into background knowledge. Minimal text and large drawings tell the story of the individual, from tales of their childhoods to important milestones in their careers. Following the text is a time line of their life, a glossary, an index, text-dependent questions, and an extension activity. VERDICT The friendly style, reader resources, and easy text make this an excellent series for reluctant readers. -- School Library Journal