Book of the Week:
¡Sí, se puede!/Yes, We Can!: Janitor Strike in L.A. by Diana Cohn, tr. by Sharon Franco. illus. by Francisco Delgado

From SLJ November 2002 (Starred Review)

Ann Welton, Grant Elementary School, Tacoma, WA -- School Library Journal, 10/14/2002

COHN, Diana. ¡Sí, se puede!/Yes, We Can!: Janitor Strike in L.A. tr. by Sharon Franco. illus. by Francisco Delgado. 32p. CIP. Cinco Puntos. 2002. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-938317-66-0. LC 2002002326.

Gr 1-5-Cohn shows exactly what strikes are, why they happen, and how people are affected. The victory of the Justice for Janitors campaign in Los Angeles in April, 2000, served as the inspiration for this well-told story. Carlitos's mom is a janitor who works both nights and weekends to make ends meet. Her decision to help lead a strike is based on her desire for more time with her son and better health care for her aging mother. Carlitos wants to help, but it is not until he sees his mother on television that he figures out what it is that he can do. The lively, information-packed text, presented in clear, colloquial English and Spanish, is matched by Delgado's lively, detailed, primitive illustrations, brightly rendered in oil pastel and watercolor wash. A spread following the story is devoted to a factual account of one woman's experience as a union organizer. Younger children will enjoy the story, but intermediate students will benefit from both the narrative line and the content. This is the rare crossover picture book that gives sound information on big issues with grace and ease. A real winner for both school and public libraries.