 | Pecan Sheller Author: Ruiz-Flores, Lupe | |
| Price: $14.24 | ||
Summary:
In 1930s San Antonio, after her father's death, thirteen-year-old Petra must quit school to work at a pecan shelling factory where dangerous conditions and low wages push her to take a vital stand for change.
Reviews:
Booklist (+) (12/01/25)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 02/01/2025 *Starred Review* In 1937 in San Antonio, Texas, 13-year-old Petra Navarro quits school due to her father’s sudden death and her family’s precarious financial situation. With a stepmother and two young siblings, the family does not have enough money for necessities. An eager student, Petra sadly begins a low-paying full-time job as a pecan sheller. Set over a year, the story follows how Petra matures and learns about life while working at the factory. Horrified by the poor working conditions and devastated by the death of a friend due to tuberculosis, Petra joins a labor strike despite her stepmother’s strong objections. Facing wage cuts, the workers strike and face police brutality and unjust arrest. Petra's character development is inspiring, and the relationship between her and her stepmother exhibits a relatable and touchingly satisfying arc that allows the two to become closer after Petra learns of her stepmother’s tragic past. The narrative explores the tense and unjust situations that exist between the Mexican American laborers and the police, the city government, and the exploitative owners of the factories. A powerful, moving story explores the little-known but important story of the six-week pecan shellers’ strike. An author’s note explaining the role of Emma Tenayuca and the Fair Standards Labor Act's impact on the pecan shellers’ strike concludes. - Copyright 2025 Booklist.
