Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna

By Alda P. Dobbs

A girl braves the desert to lead her family to safety during the Mexican Revolution.

4.2/5 Goodreads · 1,551 ratings

288 pages· 44,624 words· Est. 6 hour read

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Bookroo's summary

In 1913, young Petra Luna faces a harrowing journey across the desert, fleeing the Mexican Revolution with her family. As their town burns, Petra clings to her dream of learning to read, defying her abuelita's belief that such dreams are out of reach. With her father gone and her mother lost, Petra must navigate battlefields and hunger, determined to find safety across the U.S. border. Will her courage and resilience be enough to protect her loved ones and realize her dreams in a world that offers little hope?

From the publisher

2022 Pura Belpré Honor BookNYPL Best Book of 2021Texas Bluebonnet Master List SelectionNPR Best Book of 2021Based on a true story, the tale of one girl’s perilous journey to cross the U.S. border and lead her family to safety during the Mexican Revolution.”Wrenching debut about family, loss, and finding the strength to carry on.”–Booklist, starred review”Blazes bright, gripping readers until the novel’s last page.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review”Vital and perilous and hopeful.”–Alan Gratz, New York Times bestselling author of RefugeeIt is 1913, and twelve-year-old Petra Luna’s mama has died while the Revolution rages in Mexico. Before her papa is dragged away by soldiers, Petra vows to him that she will care for the family she has left–her abuelita, little sister Amelia, and baby brother Luisito–until they can be reunited. They flee north through the unforgiving desert as their town burns, searching for safe harbor in a world that offers none.Each night when Petra closes her eyes, she holds her dreams close, especially her long-held desire to learn to read. Abuelita calls these barefoot dreams: “They’re like us barefoot peasants and indios–they’re not meant to go far.” But Petra refuses to listen. Through battlefields and deserts, hunger and fear, Petra will stop at nothing to keep her family safe and lead them to a better life across the U.S. border–a life where her barefoot dreams could finally become reality.”Dobbs’ wrenching debut, about family, loss, and finding the strength to carry on, illuminates the harsh realities of war, the heartbreaking disparities between the poor and the rich, and the racism faced by Petra and her family. Readers will love Petra, who is as strong as the black-coal rock she carries with her and as beautiful as the diamond hidden within it.”–Booklist, starred review