First Day in Grapes

by L. King Pérez, Robert Casilla (Illustrator)

The powerful story of a migrant boy who grows in self-confidence when he uses his math prowess to stand up to the school bullies.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, School, Realistic Fiction, Cultural, Latinx, Family

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2002

About the author

L. King Pérez has won many awards for her fiction and poetry. In addition to writing, she accompanies visiting authors to their appearances in Dayton, Ohio, where she and her husband live. Pérez based First Day in Grapes on her husband’s experiences growing up as a migrant child. She says, “My husband began picking grapes in the first grade, and picked his way through UCLA, where we met. His stories of life in the camps fascinated me, and there is no greater inspiration than knowing someone whose perseverance led them to success.” In addition to writing, Pérez enjoys reading, gardening, photography, and cooking.

First Day in Grapes has won numerous awards and honors, including the Pura Belpré Illustrator Award Honor, a “Choices” selection from the Cooperative Children’s Book Center, a Smithsonian magazine Notable Book designation, and the Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award Masterlist. “Chico’s success story is cheering,” said Kirkus Reviews, and School Library Journal praised the book for “shed[ing] light on the life of migrant children in a poignant, balanced manner.”

Reviews

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Compared to some of the other books I've read, I didn't like this as much, though I did think it had merit. I liked how the main character, Chico, excelled at math, making it clear that migrant workers are not stupid and uneducated. I also liked how he stood up to the school bullies without violence. I appreciated the portrayal of strength and courage. I also liked the subtle message about being polite and giving people a chance before deciding how they are or will be.

[Andrew Jongeneel]

First Day in Grapes, written by L. King Perez and illustrated by Robert Casilla, is about Chico, a young boy from a migrant family, who recently moved to California and will start another first day of school. Chico does not want to go to school, but instead be a racecar driver; his mother tells him that everyone has a job, and right now his job is school. He is always the new kid in school and usually gets picked on by other students. The teacher is taken to Chico right away due to his math skills. At lunch, Chico gets bullied by some older students, making fun of his lunch and mother, but he stands up for himself and resolves the confrontation without any further problems. His classmates watch in awe as he displays amazing confidence, and now has enough confidence to talk to the grumpy bus driver, the teacher, and his classmates. When looking at the story, taking away race, it is one in which any student can relate to; everyone is the new kid at one point, and trying to fit in is very difficult, especially with bullies and mean people. This story also helps students who are of Hispanic background, and they can relate in race, migrating families and new student experiences. Also, by the mom telling Chico that school is his job, this story highlights the importance of education and that he needs to attend school. It is easy for kids to read and relate to this story with the help of the illustrations because the illustrations represent so much more than the story. It represents how many children live day to day lives and therefore they can relate to not only the text, but the illustrations.

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good look at an immigrant story from a childs perspective. Third grade Chico moves from farm to farm based on the harvest schedule. His father works with other immigrant workers harvesting different crops, and today is Chico’s “first day in Grapes”. He deliniates time by the number of first days of school’s he has had (first day in Onions, first day in Tomatos etc.). This time around he learns to stand up for himself, and is looking forward to the short time he has ‘in grapes’.

[Jennie · Rating 1 out of 5]

A poorly illustrated book that really doesn't deserve a Pura Belpre Award. However, it serves as a reminder to appreciate different learning strengths and cultures, also a lesson to children that they can resolve conflicts without violence. Although the part where Chico thwarts his bullies with math problems was a little ridiculous for me, overall I wasn’t really impressed with this book.

[Millicent C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Genre: Diverse Literature
Awards: Pura Belpre Award Nomination
Audience: 6-10 years old
A. Hispanic culture is emphasized in this story.
B. The family in this story move around to different farms depending on what food season it is. This is customary for families that move to different parts of the country to pick or harvest fruits or vegetables. The main character in this story is faced with going to a new school and takes the reader through the events that go on during his first day.
C. The author portrayed the hispanic culture both positively and negatively. At first the Chico did not want to go to school because other students picked on him for being hispanic. Chico's culture was portrayed positively when he saw familiar faces and when he greeted the mean bus driver and made him smile.
D. How would you prove that Chico had a good first day at school? Chico made a new math friend, he stood up to the school bullies, and he was able to make the bus driver smile.

[Nicole C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

1. Culture or group portrayed: Latino-Americans
2. Summary: Chico is a young boy in a migrant family; they travel throughout California, working in the fields. Chico is starting third grade, but he doesn’t want to go, because he’s always the new kid, and sometimes the other kids pick on him. His mother sends him, anyway. The bus driver is rather gruff, but his teacher seems nice and Chico is taken with her right away, especially after she sees how quick he is at math. At lunch, the fourth-graders come by and start to bully Chico, by making fun of his lunch and insulting his mother. He stands up to them, and manages to resolve the confrontation without violence. All of the other children cluster around him, amazed at his confidence.
3. Cultural/Multicultural evaluation: If you take away the racial aspect of Chico’s character, you are still left with a story that many children could relate to – being the new kid and trying to fit in, the possibility of bullies, and standing up for yourself. For some Latinx readers, however, First Day in Grapes offers a story they especially can relate to – migrating families, and dealing with outsiders who don’t care to understand your culture and would rather just make fun of you. It also highlights that education is important; even though Chico feels that he doesn’t need to go to school because he wants to be a race car driver, his mother tells him that “We all have jobs, and school is yours.”
4. Conclusion/verdict: Highly recommended for the reasons above. This was also a Pura Belpré Honor Book for illustration in 2004.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was realistic in the fact that he didn't like school but a friendly teacher and nice classmates helped him enjoy school. He demonstrates a constructive way to deal with the bullies. I love how good he is at mental math. I would read this on the first day of school. I like that this book tosses in some Spanish vocabulary, which may comfort some immigrants from Mexico and Spanish speaking countries who know those words. The rest of the words in this book are not easy enough for someone who is new to English though, so I need to be sensitive about that. I could also read this book before teaching my children about mental math with double digits. I think it is interesting that the main character's name means boy.

I found this really cool looking resource while I was trying to research if this book has won any awards: https://www.leeandlow.com/images/pdfs...

Interest Level http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/bo...
Grades 3 - 5
Reading Level
Grade level Equivalent: 2.9
Lexile® Measure: AD570L
DRA: 24
Guided Reading: M
Genre
General Fiction

Awards https://www.leeandlow.com/images/pdfs...
"First Day in Grapes has won numerous awards and honors, including the Pura Belpré Illustrator Award Honor, a “Choices” selection from the Cooperative Children’s Book Center, a Smithsonian magazine Notable Book designation, and the Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award Masterlist."

[The Reading Countess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice idea-show kids that kindness triumphs over bullies, that migrant worker children are just as clever, if not more, than any other kid in school, and that we are ALL human, thank you very much...but was this a well written, artistically rendered book? No.

[Farnosh Erehvizheh · Rating 5 out of 5]

"First day in Grapes" was a really good book which gave me something to think about. The book is about Chico from Spain. Their family move around a lot, and he changes school very often. The concept of the book is about coming from another country, children that tease and standing up for you.

Chico is being teased by two guys his grade, and everyone is afraid of them. But the good thing is that Chico stands up for himself and the boys finally leave him alone. And other children that wants to be his friend, and support him. The teacher in the book is also encouraging him to do something he is good at, and that he masters.

I would use this book in class, to show what teasing can do and how we should be. Let the children talk to each other, and if they have experienced anything thing similar to that. Since this book is about third grade, I would use this also in third grade. Because I think it's a good time to start talking and discussion about teasing, being new in a town and school.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chico Padillo's dad is a migrant worker, so the whole family moves from crop to crop in California. In this book, Chico faces the first day of 3rd grade in a new school, while his dad harvests crates of grapes. The bus driver and two 4th graders are mean to him, but there are others in the school who are kind and friendly to him. Chico learns how to adapt to a new school and face his fears. I believe a lot of kids can relate to Chico's feelings of loneliness, apprehension, and uncertainty. He writes, "Mama doesn't know how scary school could be. She didn't understand that some kids didn't like him. Maybe it was because he often moved before kids got to know him, or because he spoke Spanish sometimes." I'd give it a 3 1/2 stars if they'd let me do half stars here. I like really colorful books, and this book has almost muted colors, so that is why I did not rate it 4 stars. It really is a great book, though.

[Kaycee · Rating 3 out of 5]

First Day in Grapes is a Pura Belpre Honor Book. It is the story of Chico. A child of a migrant worker is used to his family moving around as they pick different types of crop in California. What he doesn't like about it is going to a new school every time they move. The story is about Chico seeking acceptance but also about how he gains self-confidence and even courage when it comes to new schools and dealing with new and sometimes scary situations. The pictures in the book do a good job of supporting the storyline and adding detail to what is happening. They were created using water color, colored pencil, and pastel; and are subsequently very colorful and realistic. First Day in Grapes is a good story that gives many children a different point of view and perspective to look at and in some cases gives children a character that they can relate to; in either case this is a book that can teach children to respect others and to have self-confidence and stand up for themselves.

[Kissa Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the fiction book, First Day in Grapes by L. King Pérez, Chico and his family moves from migrant camp to migrant camp. They live in California now where Chico goes to school and his dad works in the field. His first day at his new school starts out rough, from being yelled at by the bus driver to being picked on by two other boys. Chico then remembers what his mother has been teaching him- to stand tall. He stood up for himself and had a great day at school after all. There was a good life lesson learned in this book and that being to stand tall. Pérez based this story on her husband’s experiences growing up as a child in a migrant camp. The author use speech that accurately represents cultural and oral traditions of the characters; Spanish words were used. The illustrations corresponds well with the text. First Day in Grapes relates to the topic of immigration because Chico along with his family moved to America. Chico then tries to adjust to the new environment.

[Ruhama · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Pura Belpre Honor Book

Chico’s family follows the harvest, and for this story, the crop is grapes. This story takes place on Chico’s first day of third grade, and he is apprehensive about going to yet another new school. Several things also make the day daunting: the bus driver seems scary, he runs into a
couple of troublemakers, and has to write a story! But he finds that he’s really good at math, stands up to the bullies and his teacher is really nice (and seems to like him!). In a lot of ways, this is a typical “starting over at a new school” story, but the Hispanic twist to it makes it a perfect multicultural book (without being in your face multicultural). The book reminded me a lot of Esperanza Rising, but for lower elementary kids.

[Katherine Fountain · Rating 4 out of 5]

First Day in Grapes includes many different aspects and topics such as bullying, the life of an immigrant, and even includes some common Spanish words. The story follows Chico and includes details typical of immigrants when they first come to America. He and his family move up and down the coast of California harvesting different plants on farms as the seasons change. When they move, Chico must start a new school. When they are harvesting grapes, the boys at Chico's new school bullied him since he was different and new. This story could be used for multiple purposes especially in a classroom grades first-fifth with English Language Learners or with students who may need help embracing diversity.

[Michelle Rosales · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chico has had a difficult life. The son of migrant farm workers has proven to be somewhat of a challenge. Moving from place to place to pick many different types of fruits and vegetables, has giving Chico many first days of school. The bus ride to school tells Chico that his day may be very long. He meets two mean boys; Mike and Tony that make the first day of school seem like a lot of trouble. His day starts to look better when he meets his teacher Ms. Andrews. She is amazed at Chico’s math skills. When Chico runs into Mike and Tony during lunch he uses math to stand up for himself. The students deem Chico as a brave person. As Chico goes home his bus ride helps him understand that the first day in grapes, might not have been so bad after all.

[Brittany Cullen]

A boy and his family travel place to place becuase his father picks different crops. the boy never has any friends becuase he leaves to early so he is not looking forward to going to a new school. he goes and makes a new friend and joins a math club and has a good first day of school and tells him mom all about it and hopes they dont move again. Some children can relate to this book becuase they move a lot because of a parents job or just because so they may have the trouble of making friends, but this shows that you can find a club or hobby that interests you and make friends that way. A fun to read book with great pictures

[Cherie Durbin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chico, son of a migrant farm worker, starts a new school every year. Today, particularly, he doesn't feel like starting anything new. School is scary! But, Mama stands Chico tall and forces him to go.

As in the past, Chico is teased on his first day at the new school. Mike and Tony seem out to get him. But, Chico stands tall (like his mother says) and finds courage in the grapes.

Any child who has ever been teased will relate to First Day in Grapes. And perhaps, like Chico, they will learn to outsmart their critics.

[Kasmarine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chico, a new boy on the camp and at school. It was not easy for Chico. Life for a son of migrant worker was demanding and constant on the move. Chico will take his audiences on and emotional transformation ride. The first sight was the great f ield and anxiety and insecurity. The next sight was fear and embarrassment. Finally,the last sight was the fiercest battlefield of bullying.

First Day In Grapes has exquisite and acute language that its readers will capture every details of Chico's emotions.

[Bailey Scales · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed First Day in Grapes because it has as Mexican background, which I also have a Mexican background, so reading the book was familiar to me. This book is a great example to read to students to also teach some Spanish vocab words, teach them about being the new kid, as well as the problems of rumors. Every child will be able to relate to Chico's anxiousness of moving to a new town and starting at a new school. Chico is also a talented student who enjoys learning. I would recommend this book for third graders.

[Falan Miller]

This book was about a little boy named Chico who's family moved up and down California picking fruits and vegetables. He always hated moving schools and this time it was a little different. Chico is very good at math and this helped him out in the long run.

I liked this book because every kid can relate to it. I liked the story and I really loved the illustrations. Every kid comes from a different home and it is wrong for us to judge them by what they look like or seem to be like.

This book could be used to encourage students to not be so quick to judge a new kid.

[Jose · Rating 4 out of 5]

The "First Day in Grapes" was an awesome picture book. I really enjoyed the illustrations throughout this book; they are lifelike. This book has some math twist into it, however it reminded me more of a culture book. It often reminded me of Cesar Chavez because of the croppers. This book might be better for older grade students... possibility in a mathematics class to encourage children to enjoy math more. Good book to read in a diverse classroom too.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chico and his family move all year long in California picking fruits and vegetables. Chico's family moves to a new place to pick grapes. It is his first day of school. His mother does not understand how hard it is to start in a new school and have others pick on him. However, his day turns out quite different. He meets a new friend, has a great teacher, and finds out he's good in math. This is a great bilingual book with a great message.

[The Styling Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adaptation moving from one area to another as a family...
http://thestylinglibrarian.com/2012/0...
First Day in Grapes by L. King Perez - Beautiful book from the perspective of a migrant child who would like to be know for his intellectual skills vs. his family’s migratory lifestyle. I personally enjoyed how the bully situation was approached.

[Christian Espinoza · Rating 5 out of 5]

"He'd had so many first days- first days in artichokes, first days in onions, first days in garlic. Now his first day in third grade would be in grapes." This story is about a little boy named Chico whose family moves from one migrant camp to another. Every year he moves to a new school and before he can make friends, he moves again. The book dresses topics such as bullying, moving and immigration. The illustrations are very detailed and are a great way to get children to retell the story.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. The main character is a boy whose parents are migrant workers. As the seasons change, he moves from field to field and school to school. The boy finds the courage to stand up to the bully on the first day of school and to be proud. Great to read when teaching about Cesar Chavez.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chico and his family move around a lot to work on farms. When they move to a grape farm, Chico as usual, starts at a new school. This time he has bullies to contend with which makes Chico regret having to go to school. When he and the bullies have a confrontation in the school yard, Chico does not back down and wins the respect of the children at the school.

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every year Chico's family moves to harvest new crops. This year his family is harvesting grapes and Chico attends school while his parents are working. Through a series of confidence boosting events, Chico is able to stand up to some bullies in his school. I enjoyed watching Chico grow and overcome the challenges he experienced at his new school.

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is very realistic and sends a clear, positive message about standing up for yourself. It would make a good classroom read-aloud with a follow up discussion about the moral of the story, or it could also be used as an individual recommendation for a student who is in a similar situation to Chico in the story.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chico is a third grader who has a lot of first days. His parents are migrant workers so they travel up and down California to work in the fields. Chico doesn't want to go to school today because it is hard on the first day. After a talk with this Mom, he heads to school. He finds a nice teacher and a new friend, he is pleased with his first day.

[Sue Pak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Chico's family moves around a lot, and when Chico starts school at his new place, he gets teased and bullied because of his differences. Even with the language barrier, his teacher sees that he is very good in math. She encourages him to pursue his strengths, and he also stands up for himself to the bullies. This book is very good and ELLs will find it very relatable.