First Day in Grapes

Author(s) L. King Pérez
Illustrator(s) Robert Casilla
Age Group 6-11
Publisher Lee & Low Books, Inc.
ISBN 978-1620141908
Year 2002

First Day in Grapes tells the story of Chico and his family, migrant workers who move up and down the state of California. Every September they pick grapes and Chico starts a new school. Often Chico gets picked on because he’s always “the new kid” and because he speaks Spanish sometimes. The story focuses on Chico’s first day of third grade at a new school- things are a little different this time. Chico learns to stand up for himself when some other students bully him and make fun of his heritage.