Borderlands and the Mexican American Story

June 1, 2024
Grades 6-10 Mexican Americans, Romo contends, "originally didn't cross the border--rather, the border crossed them." In this insightful overview of Mexican American history, part of the Race to the Truth series, the author focuses on the Native peoples of the borderlands and the migration between what is now Mexico and the U.S. for thousands of years. In the process, he explains how both Spanish and Anglo-American colonizers tried to stamp out Native identity and how U.S. history has reframed events rather than acknowledge that the creation of Texas was a violent land grab, as well as other painful truths. Readers will also discover equally agonizing facts, such as U.S. eugenic policies that targeted Mexican Americans and inspired Nazi Germany, which have been forgotten by many over time. Later chapters follow more recent history, from the Chicano Movement to the El Paso border as "ground zero" in a current war against immigration. Concluding chapter questions and interspersed archival photos and personal stories (many of young people) with direct quotes encourage thoughtful comprehension and analysis of the complex issues.

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Starred review from June 15, 2024
A thorough yet concise recounting of the ways the U.S./Mexico border has shaped how history has been told. The work opens 23,000 years ago, when North America was settled by its first people. This framing lays the foundation for the often overlooked fact that a steady stream of migration and trade has flowed back and forth between what is now the U.S. and Mexico long before the modern border existed, making the case that our histories are interwoven. For example, many Indigenous people in Mexico and the western U.S. speak Uto-Aztecan languages, including Nahuatl, Shoshone, Hopi, and Comanche. The book also informs readers about darker episodes, such as enslavement and policies based on eugenics. Romo celebrates lesser-known heroes, like the 19th-century Mexican American leader Juan Cortina, who helped defend the borderlands community from violent invaders, and he holds up for scrutiny harmful misinformation, such as the Texas Creation Myth, an incomplete narrative from an Anglo perspective that was long taught in schools. Text boxes titled "Let's Think About This" appear throughout this comprehensive history, posing questions for readers to ponder that encourage deeper thinking about historical biases. By the end, they'll understand how past events have led to the present-day situation at the border. The concise chapters are enhanced with photos and broken down into accessible chunks, making this a strong work for any student, teacher, or parent seeking an accurate, well-researched distillation of complex events. A powerful must-read for students of North American history. (Nonfiction. 10-14)

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Starred review from September 20, 2024

Gr 4-8-A comprehensive and revelatory volume on Mexican American history. Dorado Romo adeptly manages to fit in the vast and complex history of Mexican Americans, from their Indigenous roots to current-day issues, in this volume for middle graders. Along the way, he dispels long-held and racist beliefs, like the Clovis theory, which posits that the first peoples appeared in North America not more than 12,000 years ago. Native archeology has concluded that the number is most likely 23,000 or more. The work also cuts through white supremacist perspectives of major events, such as the Alamo and the Mexican Revolution. The narrative is peppered with photos, reproductions, and sidebars. Every chapter concludes with thought-provoking discussion questions. Major topics like the Chicano Movement and immigration are covered with nuance. Profiles on important figures, such as writer Gloria Anzald�a, muralist Judith Baca, and the students at Bowie High School, are seamlessly integrated into the sections. The writing is impassioned and accessible and will certainly inspire young people to further research not only Mexican American history but also what they've learned about other marginalized peoples in the United States. Back matter includes resources for young readers and a bibliography. VERDICT This fills in gaps and turns history on its head. An absolute must for nonfiction collections.-Shelley M. Diaz

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