Book Review: César: ¡Si, Se Puede! Yes, We Can!

 

Written by: Carmen T. Bernier-Grand

Illustrated by: David Diaz

Published by: Two Lions, February 26, 2013

ISBN: 0761451722

Plot Summary

César: ¡Si, Se Puede! Yes, We Can! tells the story of the life of César Chávez. Chávez was a labor leader who helped to form the National Farm Workers Association. From his humble beginnings outside of Yuma, Arizona, César began working alongside his family in the fields at a young age. He eventually tired of this work and decided to join the Navy. However, after his time in the military, he returned and began working as an organizer, helping farmworkers fight for better conditions and higher pay. 

Critical Analysis

Family and culture are two things that were obviously very important to César. The very first word in the book is ¡Hijole! which is an expression of surprise or wonder in Spanish. By starting the book with this word, Bernier-Grand immediately lets the reader know that César Chávez valued his first language, which he spoke at home. The poem "I Am a Clown" recounts his experience at school where a teacher told him that he should only speak English if he wanted to be an American. This is an experience that has been shared by many immigrants and native-born citizens in the United States who are bilingual. At home, the Chávezes believed that "Quien sabe dos lenguas vale por dos." or "He who knows two languages is more valuable than he who knows only one." This mindset differed from many other families who believed that their children should only speak English in order to assimilate to their home. 

The combination of cultures is also present in the poem Cesario, which was César's real name. Teachers and other English speakers called him "See-zar", or possibly César (say-zar), either unwilling or unable to learn his given name. However, his given name was at the heart of who César was, for he was named after his abeulito, or grandfather. The phonical pronunciation of his name that is used in this poem really serves to emphasize the difference in the anglicized version of his name verses the Spanish version. As time has passed, more and more people 

have spoken out about the importance of pronouncing names correctly rather than changing them to make things easier on the person pronouncing them. However, this was definitely not the case in the 1930s when César was in school. The poem ends with what he likely considered his most important title, "Friend of the Farm Workers", since that was the identity he strove for during most of his life. 

The illustrations in the book are painted in bold colors, giving the book an attractive look and likely mimicking the brightly colored crops that populated the fields that Chávez spent his life working in. In the pictures where a large group is present, such as those showing protests or press conferences, you can see a variety of skin tones in the people shown. On the cover, Chávez is featured holding the "cortito" or short-handled hoe, which he worked hard to have banned. He is wearing a bandana around his neck, which farm workers wore to protect themselves from breathing in dirt or harmful chemicals while working in the fields. 

The end of the book contains source material, including a brief synopsis of Chávez's life, notes with citations for facts found in the book, a glossary containing Spanish terms used in the book, a timeline of his life, a list of the sources consulted, and finally a selection of Chávez's own words in which he describes his story himself. The inclusion of this material lends authority to the book along with providing background information that will help the reader gain a deeper understanding of it. After reading, one could also consult the references to learn more, if desired. 

Excerpt

Cesario

Cesario was his real name. 

Not See-zar. Not even César. 

Cesario Estrada Chávez

was the name given to him

by his parents,

Juana Estrada

and

Librado Chávez

en el dia su santo,

March 31, 1927,

near Yuma, Arizona. 

Cesario,

named for his abuelito,

better known as Papá Chayo. 

Calling him See-zar Cha-VEZ

came later, 

when his teacher couldn't 

or wouldn't

call him Cesario.

People called him

See-zar Cha-VEZ

or César Chávez.

It was better to call him

Friend of the Farm Workers

for these were la gente

for whom he struggled. 

Use

Read the poem out loud to students, first without showing them a copy of the poem. Then display a copy and re-read it to them to allow them to follow along. Ask students to create their own name that describes what is important to them, like César was "Friend of the Farm Workers". Students can share their own names and explain why they chose them.