Cesar: Si, Se Puede! Yes, We Can! by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Bernier-Grand, Carmen T. 2004. CESAR SI, SE PUEDE! YES, WE CAN! ill. David Diaz. New York: Marshall Cavendish. ISBN 9780761451723

SUMMARY:

Introduce students to an inspiring historical figure who grew up during the Great Depression.  Cesar was a  migrant worker who dropped out of school to help support his family.  Eventually, he grew into a great leader who fought for rights for his fellow farm workers. He helped improve the lives of a whole generation, and the positive effects can still be seen today.  This inspiring story is told through free-verse poems and unique imagery that brings history to life.

QUALITY & APPEAL:

Age Range:  9 years and up
Grade Level:  4th grade and up
Students will enjoy this interesting twist on a biography since it is written in free-verse.  Hispanic students will enjoy reading, hearing, and interacting with text that is partially in their home language. They will be engaged in the learning as they learn about Cesar.

Educators have diverse groups of students who fill their classrooms each day.  Each and everyone of them are unique individuals and special in their own way.  Differences should be celebrated. Embracing different cultures and their historical figures will help teachers model a positive attitude and show of respect as they encourage, value, and promote diversity within the classroom.  This poetry book is filled with reference tools that will help teachers and students locate a wealth of information.  It contains a Table of Contents, Notes, Glossary, Cesar's Life Story, and a detailed Timeline.  This informational poetry book would be a great addition to any classroom.  It can be used to support learning for both reading, writing, and social studies.

SPOTLIGHT POEM:  (Excerpt from book)

DEPRESSION

In the 1930's,

Cesar's tios and tias

--along with many other Americans--

lost their jobs.

What could Librado do but help them?

He let them have anything

they needed from the store.

They could pay him later,

when things got better.

But things didn't get better.

Before long, the store was empty.

Librado had no money to refill it

and lost the business in a bad deal.

But they still had Papa Chayo's rancho!

In the rancho,

Cesar and his brother Richard

slept on the pool table that

Librado had not been able to sell.

"Look!" Cesar told Richard,

pointing at the peeling plaster.

"There's a face over there.

And look in the corner, here's a rabbit!"

CONNECTIONS:

Research The Great Depression:

• Allow students to explore the below website while working in small groups.  Assign each group specific sections of the website to explore (Presidents, Timeline, Causes, Stock Market Crash of '29, First Hand Accounts, Helping the People, Pictures, Facts and Figures)
• http://library.thinkquest.org/03oct/01794/home_page.htm
• Groups will compile their researched information in a creative and clear manner, and prepare to present their project to the class.  
• Throughout the research days and presentation days, have poetry breaks and share some of the poems from Cesar Si, Se Puede! Yes, We Can! This will give students a different perspective of The Great Depression and inform them about a famous Hispanic historical figure who lived and survived this difficult time period.