
Written by Meg Medina Marilisa Jiménez García , and Chelsea Clinton · Illustrated by Alexandra Boiger and Gillian Flint
Part of the She Persisted series
A librarian transforms storytelling, bridging cultures and languages.
Pura Belpré, a passionate storyteller from Puerto Rico, moves to New York and revolutionizes libraries by introducing Spanish and bilingual tales. Her mission: to connect multicultural communities through the power of stories. Discover how she defied the odds to bring her culture to life, changing the literary landscape forever. What challenges did she face, and how did her persistence shape the future of libraries? This inspiring chapter book invites young readers to explore Pura's legacy and consider how they too can make a difference in their communities.
Inspired by the #1 New York Times bestseller She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger, a chapter book series about women who spoke up and rose up against the odds–including Pura Belpré! Pura Belpré grew up in Puerto Rico surrounded by stories. When she moved to New York and was offered the chance to work at the New York Public Library, she was thrilled to be able to help share her stories with children–especially multicultural and multilingual children like her. She persisted in bringing Spanish and bilingual storytelling and books to libraries across the city and across the country, and she wrote books and stories of her own to bring even more of her culture to people everywhere. Pura gave Spanish speakers in New York and around the country the opportunity to read and find community in ways they never had before, and she changed the way libraries reach readers even to this day. In this chapter book biography by bestselling and award-winning author Meg Medina, readers learn about the amazing life of Pura Belpré–and how she persisted. Complete with an introduction from Chelsea Clinton, black-and-white illustrations throughout, and a list of ways that readers can follow in Pura Belpré’s footsteps and make a difference! A perfect choice for kids who love learning and teachers who want to bring inspiring women into their curriculum. And don’t miss out on the rest of the books in the She Persisted series, featuring so many more women who persisted, including Sonia Sotomayor, Diana Taurasi, Malala Yousafzai, and more!
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Top contributors: Literary Leslie