In the Groves

K-Gr 2–During summer breaks, Clara and her parents take long trips to California, where her abuelos, tíos, tías, and cousins live. At the dinner table, they gather to eat and share stories about their family and their orange groves, and Clara feels left out since she doesn’t live there and has never visited the groves. She is eager to finally visit the beloved places that have been in her family for generations, to create her own memories and stories. Without anyone knowing, she follows her abuelo, who is going to work at the groves, and hops into his truck. When abuelo finds out, he and Clara use the opportunity to dream, talk, and create experiences of their own. Inspired by the author’s family history, the story portrays a Mexican American girl’s journey into connecting with her roots and finding her place within her family’s legacy and history. The vivid spread-length illustrations capture intergenerational warmth and love, family dynamics, and household environment and the beautiful field landscapes of the orange groves in California. The English version incorporates some words in Spanish into the text, and includes an author/illustrator’s note, as well as a glossary of the Spanish language words used. The Spanish version is sprinkled with some words in English.