Migrant Worker: A Boy from the Rio Grande Valley

Synopsis: Migrant Worker tells the story of life as a migrant worker from the perspective of an 11-year-old boy, Ricky. During the summer, Ricky travels with his family to various farms to help with the harvesting of crops. Once a particular crop is harvested, the family is forced to travel north where there more job opportunities to harvest other crops. Ricky explains how he lives in one home in a Rio Grande colonia during the school year; however his father works in Chicago in order to send money to support his family during this time of the year. Ricky explains the trials and tribulations of doing hard labor as a child and emphasizes the importance of education in order to move on to better opportunities. Although life as a migrant worker isn't easy, Ricky explains the pride he has in living in the United States, where his parents are sacrificing to give him a chance for a better future. Evaluation: This book gives great insight into the life as a migrant worker. Because it is told from one child's perspective, it allows the reader to picture a face with this type of lifestyle. The story of Ricky shows how children are still exposed to rough labor despite current child labor laws in the U.S.A. These labor laws do not protect children of immigrants who are given permission to work by their parents because their family depends on the collective earnings. Many workers do not even earn minimum wage. These facts are surprising considering that this story is told in contemporary times. What is more shocking is that so many workers are exploited for cheap labor and toil under hard conditions whether they come to the United States legally or not (Ricky's family works legally with a work visa). The book is fully illustrated cover to cover with photographs that further offer a visualization into Ricky's world. Hoyt-Goldsmith also presents excerpts of stories from other migrant worker children from the Rio Grande. She gives evidence of research into this social group by interviewing the people and looking into their historical perspective. Although the book presents some grim details about migrant worker life, it still manages to keep a positive overtone of hope for the future. A portion of the book is dedicated to information about Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers of America. Teachers may use this book in conjunction with today's focus on the issues of immigrant workers in the States, especially considering the rallies held in major U.S. cities on May 1, 2006. Migrant Worker may also be used as a non-fiction support with realistic fictional books such as Esperanza Rising or Amelia's Road. References: Altman, L. J. (1993). Amelia's Road. New York: Lee & Low Books. Ryan, P. M. (2000). Esperanza rising. New York: Scholastic