Who Was the Voice of the People?: Cesar Chavez

Who HQ Graphic Novel Series

by Terry Blas, Mar Julia (Illustrations)

Discover the story behind Cesar Chavez and the Delano Grape Strike -- written by award-winning author Terry Blas and illustrated by Ignatz-nominated cartoonist Mar Julia. Presenting Who HQ Graphic Novels: an exciting new program from the #1 New York Times Best-Selling Who Was? series that spotlights pivotal moments in historical figures' lives in graphic novel form!

Follows Cesar Chavez and the National Farmworkers Association, as they set out on a difficult 300-mile protest march in support of farm workers' rights. A story of hope, solidarity, and perseverence, this graphic novel invites readers to immerse themselves in the life of the famous Latino American Civil Rights leader -- brought to life by gripping narrative and vivid full-color illustrations that jump off the page.

Genres: Middle Grade, Graphic Novels, History, Nonfiction, Historical, Biography, Comics

64 pages, Paperback

Published January 11, 2022

About the author

TERRY BLAS is an illustrator and writer based in Portland, Oregon. He is the writer behind the auto-bio comics Ghetto Swirl and You Say Latino (featured on NPR, OPB, Vox.com and Cosmo.com.)

Terry’s work has appeared in comics Bravest Warriors, Regular Show, The Amazing World of Gumball, Adventure Time, and Rick and Morty.

His first graphic novel, Dead Weight: Murder at Camp Bloom, is a murder mystery set at a weight loss camp. Dead Weight has been named by YALSA as a 2019 Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Readers.

His latest graphic novel, Hotel Dare, a love letter to his childhood memories in Mexico, will be in stores June 2019.

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative first book on the life of Cesar Chavez. Along with Dolores Huerta he was the co-founder of the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA). The NFWA later merged with the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC) to become the United Farm Workers (UFW) labor union. The book focuses on the March to Sacramento in 1966. Important event that should be remembered as we try to address issues of economic equality today.

[wildct2003 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good basic info

[BiblioBrandie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This graphic novel introduces students to Cesar Chavez’s role in the Delano grape strike and highlights the fight for farm workers’ rights in California. A few short passage are peppered throughout with facts about Chavez’s life and includes information about Dolores Huerta. This is intended for a younger audience so some of the details are glossed over and only the good stuff is presented. But I did love the graphics and I think this is a good introduction to the topic.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Undeniably, Cesar Chavez became the face of the farm laborer movement in the late 1960s. Joining others in the movement that sought fair pay and treatment for these workers, many of them immigrants, he led the Delano Grape Strike and marched three hundred miles from Delano, California, all the way to the state capitol building in Sacramento in 1966. As he, Roberto Bustos, Dolores Huerta, and the other protesters wended their way northward, they chose to pass through several small towns since that's where many farm workers lived and they hoped to encourage others to join their cause. The book, part of the WHO HQ series, focuses mainly on that march and the success it brought, leaving readers to learn more about the movement and Chavez's formative years for themselves. There are side notes about the flag flown by the National Farm Workers Association, and some of the individuals in the movement, as well as details about how the marchers kept their spirits up with skits, games, and music. As for Cesar himself, he kept walking even after injuring his ankle early on. A timeline is included, and young readers will want to investigate what happened next as well as how much conditions have changed for farm workers as well as whom those farm workers are today. Arguably, Cesar Chavez and the media attention around the march made many Americans a little more conscious of the work necessary in bringing them the food they loved to eat and took for granted. Sometimes, it seems that we need another Cesar Chavez to awaken the social conscience of our nation. The graphic novel format allows the story to be told with several scenes of the march and the marchers.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll be moderating a panel next month which will feature the author of the HQ series and this one in particular highlighting Chavez and also a chunk to Huerta for their work with the National Farm Workers Association-- very specifically their march to Sacramento to meet with the governor to fight for farm workers in California.

This one is different because it's a graphic novel but it made many connections to things I knew about but in a cohesive and powerful way from the design of the panels to the information contained within. It showcases his gentle way and powerful voice that spoke for the people selflessly.

I'll definitely take more graphic HQs!

[Karen Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important contribution to classrooms and libraries about an important American - Cesar Chavez. Plus, Hispanic heroes are important role models for everyone, but especially for our increasing population of kids who need to see inspiring Hispanic leaders.
There was good information included, and it was just in-depth enough to be age-appropriate.
I appreciated the information about
Additionally, the graphic novel format will make the book more accessible to ELL kids and to struggling readers.
And, the message of the importance of standing together against injustice, and in a non-violent ways, is a vital one.

[Jennifer]

Great backdrop for the history of the farm workers' movements in the United States led by Cesar Chavez. It wasn't a great insight into the conditions themselves, but the start of the movement and the march from Delano to Sacramento. I had not known this history and was grateful for the lively illustrations and storytelling. I appreciated the note by the publishers for their dedication to factual, humanizing interpretations.

I would certainly pick up more copies of these books for not only my students, but also my own edification. They provide a helpful background for history and sociopolitical awareness.

Thank you!

[Stacey Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had never heard of Cesar Chavez before so all this information was new to me. It was interesting how a determined man brought farm workers together to form the union NFWA. A walk in protest, led by Chavez, from Delano to Sacramento California got the attention it deserved and made a difference. A strong presence, Cesar, was kind and understanding of hardships everyone faced working especially in the grape fields....too long hours, no bathrooms, unjust treatment. Fighting to change those conditions and getting fair wages and treatment of the workers was the goal.

[Mary Havens · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a lot about Chavez and the United Farm Workers movement. I thought I knew the story - nope. I knew nothing about Dolores Huerta so I was pleased to learn more about her. It's amazing how much resistance there was/is to paying people a living wage because it doesn't meet their bottom dollar.
I love this series and I look forward to many more!

[Mary T · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Who Was/Is series, and I love graphic novels, so I was happy to see these on the shelf at the library. I thought the book was well done -- it just seemed very short. I guess it was meant to be that way, but I wish there had been a bit more detail.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good intro to the story of Cesar Chavez. I did find it confusing that the graphic made it seem like their march was an instant success, but then the timeline showed the strike continuing for four more years. I wish these were a little longer, so more information could be included.

[Elizabeth A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am usually not a fan of graphic novels but this is a story I would recommend if I were still teaching for students to learn about Cesar Chavez.

…and it’s another one of the books that some people have tried to have banned from our libraries…again for reasons I do NOT understand.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

A look into the leadership of a man with a vision for better working conditions on farms.

[Amanda]

Watch the vlog here: https://youtu.be/ktH3wYkIZA0

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

great book! They include several people involved in Chavez's causes, clear and well explained.

[KayKay · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a drier read compare to the rest of the books in the series but it was still a good book to learn something about Cesar Chavez and the founding of NFWA which I knew nothing about. A solid little book about Chavez.

[Tracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A graphic novel dramatization of Cesar Chavez and the Delano Grape Strike, an effect example of nonviolent protest that played a critical role in securing fair wages and working conditions for latine farmhands in 1966.