Nonfiction: Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez & Her Family’s Fight for Desegregation

 

Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez & Her Family’s Fight for Desegregation, Duncan Tonatiuh. Abrams Books for Young Readers, May 2014. 40 pages, $19.99, 978149710544.

    Separate is Never Equal begins with Sylvia Mendez in a desegregated school. The story goes back to the past and chronologically follows the events that led to the desegregation in California schools. Westminster School denied Sylvia Mendez enrollment because of her Mexican background. Her parents organized the Hispanic community to file a case against segregation. The Mendez won the court case, ending segregated education in California. Students in upper elementary will learn that discrimination and segregation is not limited to black students. However, the fight for desegregation can bring minority groups together. Syliva's mother said, “When you fight for justice, others will follow” (33). The NAACP, Japanese American Citizens League, American Jewish Congress, and more helped the family to end segregation in California. 

    Tonatiuh heavily researched this event. The bibliography indicates thoughtful research because he consulted films, books, articles, and websites about the Mendez v Westminster (1946) case. Tonatiuh also interviewed Syliva Mendez and utilized transcripts from the court case to add a sense of accuracy and authenticity. The dialogue pulls from the conversation between Tonatiuh and Syliva Mendez. The words in the trial scenes come directly from the transcript.

    Legal proceedings and laws are complicated, but Tonatiuh ensures readers understand the discriminative policies the Hispanic population experienced. The issues are concise and avoid advanced legal jargon. Tonatiuh places the subject of discrimination in a context that is relatable for students and caters to their sense of fairness. Students can identify and sympathize with the teasing Sylvia went through at the beginning of the book and understand the joy of making friends at the end of the book. The reference aids also help with understanding. Reference aids include numbered pages; an author’s note for readers who want to know more about the family and the court case; a glossary that helps define legal terms, associations, and words related to segregation; a bibliography; an about the text section; and an index. 

    The layout of the is easy to follow. The text is either at the top or bottom of the page; they are either in black or white to provide a clear contrast and easy readability against the background. The text contains some Spanish words, but most have English translations. The single or double-spread illustrations take up most of the page. Tonatiuh uses ancient, folk Mexican style to celebrate and keep the art alive. Characteristics include colors, characters in profile, geometric shapes, and black outlines. The artwork is flat, but he adds detail by digitally adding a variety of hair shades and texture to the characters, fabric on their clothes, and architectural surfaces on the building. Depicting the face in profile gives some of the characters a neutral outlook. Therefore, readers must look at facial cues and body language to read emotions. Overall, Sylvia Mendez and Duncan Tonatiuh hope that Separate are Never Equal would bring light to Mendez’s fight for desegregation.