Rosa by Any Other Name

Gr 9 Up–Alcaraz’s striking story follows Rosa Capistrano, a Mexican American teenager coming of age in 1955 Phoenix, AZ. Determined to chase a future beyond the citrus fields where her family works, Rosa passes as white to attend a segregated, better-funded high school across town. What unfolds is a compelling portrait of a young woman leading a double life, caught between her family’s expectations, the pull of friendship, and high-stakes secrecy in a world marked by racial boundaries. Alcaraz writes with emotional depth, bringing Rosa’s voice to the page in a way that feels both intimate and unflinchingly honest. The novel explores identity, assimilation, and structural injustice by shedding light on a lesser-known chapter of American segregation and the lived experiences of Mexican American youth in the Southwest. Interwoven references to Romeo and Juliet, including a tragic death, and moments grounded in Mexican American culture add layers to the narrative. This is historical fiction that feels timely and necessary, with strong appeal for readers who appreciate authors like Elizabeth Acevedo, Erika L. Sánchez, Ruta Sepetys, and Ashley Hope Pérez. For educators, it’s a valuable text to pair with units on civil rights, postwar America, and the complexities of cultural identity.