The Other Side of the River

Ages 8 to 12, Grades 4 to 8

From the author of highly-acclaimed Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna comes a compelling new novel about a twelve-year-old girl who builds a new life in America

Twelve-year old Petra Luna is in America after escaping the Mexican Revolution. Now that they are safe, Petra, her two younger siblings, and her abuelita have a chance to begin again, in this country that promises so much.Petra leads her family from a smallpox-stricken refugee camp to the city of San Antonio, meeting with both opportunities and obstacles at every turn. As her family slowly builds their new lives, Petra starts to believe that even her most remote dreams of learning to read and write are within reach. Yet she also sees in America the extremes of rich and poor that she thought she’d left behind, and she begins to wonder if it’s better to return to Mexico to fight for a better life there.Soon Petra finds her strength and courage tested as she discovers for herself what’s truly worth fighting for.

About the Author

ALDA P. DOBBS is as passionate about connecting children to their past, their communities, and nature as she is about writing. Alda lives with her husband and two children outside Houston, Texas.