Juanita Fights the School Board

Roosevelt High School #1

by Gloria Velásquez

When Juanita's dreams of being the first in her family to graduate from high school are thwarted by an expulsion after getting in a fight with another student, the young Mexican-American girl enlists the help of a lawyer and the school counselor to fight discrimination. This is the first book in the Roosevelt High School Series.

151 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Lily Keefauver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this at the groundworks bookstore on campus! Was good! It's a children's book but portrayed barriers that minorities face honestly. There was a lot of obstacles the protagonist had to overcome, both universally relatable (learning to being secure with herself as she gets older) and more specific (school board and adults twisting a story against her). Also has good role models that the protagonist learns to trust, which i liked given the plot points could have been very defeating had their not been an established support system

[Hugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very courageous fighting her right due process instead of rushing to judgment. Discrimination is common in nationwide. Learn to be accepted and be kind.

Good book.

[Nicky Ayite · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about a girl, Juanita Chavez, who has been expelled from Roosevelt High School for getting into a fight (which she didn't start) with a racist white girl so Juanita, her parents, Mrs. Martinez (a counselor), and Sam Turner (a civil rights attorney) decide to fight the school board and make them lift the suspension. This book does a good job of illustrating what non-white kids and teens would have to go through back in the 90s (since this book was published in 1994) and the favoritism toward white students. As a black student, I can definitely understand Juanita's struggles as a non-white person even though she is supposed to be Mexican and I am not. This book would be great for middle schoolers and teens of all kinds because at times it covers what kids of all races have to go through, like being in a rush to grow up and have a boyfriend or having strict parents who hover over you like a helicopter and rarely ever let you go out with your friends or let you do anything fun.
I really liked how this book feels like it was written by an actual high schooler instead of being very obviously written by someone who hasn't been in high school for at least 20 years like most "teenager books" feel and the relatability of this book adds a feeling of understanding towards the main character, like you can read a specific line and be like "Oh yeah, I can definitely see how you feel". For example, when Juanita says "It's just that I want to be like everyone else. I hate being treated like a baby." (Velásquez 56) I almost wanted to scream "Yes! Thank you!" out loud because I felt like I wasn't alone. I felt like someone understood what life is like for me as a teen. Overall, this book is a great read for middle schoolers and teens, especially those of color who can relate to the racial injustice that is depicted in this book.

[M1ghtystar · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Juanita dreams of being the first in her family to graduate from high school are thrwarted by an expulsion after getting in a fight with another student, the young Mexican-American girl enlists the help of a lawyer and the school counselor to fight discrimination. she eventually wins the fight.

i can connect this to the world. because alot of schools discriminate minorities. they think that they can't be as good as white people. they think that they can't be great. thats why kids that are minorities are mean half the time others try to prove teachers and racist people wrong.

i really liked this book because it shows how this girl stands up for her rights because she is maxican american. and that they can graduate high school. and get a diploma.rock on sister

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Juanita fights the school board by:Gloria Velasquez is about the mexican girl who is the first person to ever graduate Highschool from her family. DOWN THE ROAD JUANITA faces the challenges and get kicked out of school. During the book she fights agaainst the school board.

I connect this book to the real world because everyday people fight against stuff they don't belivie in. In the book Juanita fights against her beingg kicked out. In world people fight for gay marriage.

I gave this book 3 stars. I gave it 3 stars because it was really good but it wasn't a book i like to read. I would recomend it to everyone.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gloria Velasquez is another author with a sure ear and eye in regards to young adults.