
Reach for this book when your child expresses frustration with a difficult task or feels that their big dreams are out of reach because of their current circumstances. This moving biography follows Jose Hernandez from the hot tomato fields of California to the flight deck of the Space Shuttle. It serves as a masterclass in the growth mindset, illustrating how a child can value their roots while reaching for the stars. It is an ideal choice for families looking to discuss how hard work, family support, and an unwavering spirit can overcome systemic barriers. The narrative is gentle yet firm in its message that success is a journey of persistence, making it perfectly suited for children ages 5 to 9 who are starting to set their own long-term goals.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a reviewThe book addresses financial hardship and the grueling nature of migrant labor. The approach is realistic and secular, focusing on the dignity of work and the systemic hurdles faced by immigrant families. The resolution is triumphantly hopeful.
An elementary-aged student who is a 'dreamer' but may lack the confidence to pursue 'impossible' goals, or a child from an immigrant background who rarely sees their family's labor depicted with such honor and ambition.
The book is accessible and can be read cold. Parents might want to prepare to explain what a 'migrant worker' is to younger children to provide context for the family's constant movement. A parent might choose this after hearing their child say 'I'm not smart enough' or 'I want to quit' after a failure. It is a direct antidote to the fear of rejection.
Younger children (5-6) will marvel at the space themes and the visual transition from fields to rockets. Older children (7-9) will better grasp the 'eleven rejections' and the sheer scale of the perseverance required.
Unlike many astronaut biographies that start with a middle-class interest in planes, this one highlights the specific cultural and economic hurdles of the migrant experience, framing his background as a strength rather than a deficit.
The story chronicles the life of Jose M. Hernandez, beginning with his childhood as a migrant farmworker moving between Mexico and California. Despite the challenges of frequent relocation and manual labor, Jose holds onto his dream of becoming an astronaut after watching the Apollo moon landing. With his father's five-step recipe for success and his own relentless determination, he excels in school, becomes an engineer, and eventually joins NASA after being rejected eleven times.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.