Without Separation

By Larry Dane Brimner (Calkins Creek, 2021)

Who? What? Where?

On an early January day, Roberto Alvarez, is turned away from Lemon Grove Grammar School in San Diego, California. The year is 1931, and Roberto is not the only student turned away that day, all his Mexican American peers are. The principal informs the students they will be learning in a separate building from now on.

Not long after the parents of Roberto and of the other Mexican American students formed the Comité de Vecinos de Lemon Grove — the Lemon Grove Neighbors Committee. These concerned community members knew that the school board was attempting to segregate the children, a practice of separating people based on skin color. The Committee knew this was wrong and enlists some help and are able to bring the case before the court.

Roberto and his friends and family all use their voice to stand up for what they believe in, and for what they think is just. Without Separation by Larry Dane Brimner is a captivating story about a communities fight for equal access to education and defiance in the face of prejudice and discrimination. Roberto and his classmate’s courage impacted America’s education system in ways that can still be felt today. This book is an excellent case study to help educate children on the United States long and troubled history around school segregation, and a community’s fight to ensure a better future, for all.

Principle Themes:

The book had many excellent themes throughout. However, the most prominent were (1) standing up for what you believe in (2) the power of community and, (3) education rights. Roberto Alvarez uses his voice to speak out about the injustice of segregation, an inspiration and encouragement for readers that you must do what is right even when you face resistance. Although Roberto was an important figure in this fight, he did not do it on his own. Roberto received the support of parents, neighbors and his fellow students, and thus the text demonstrated the true power of community organizing, unity, and resistance. Lastly, the United States has a long and horrible history of school segregation and racial exclusion, and this small but not insignificant town of Lemon Grove took a stand against these forces, to ensure that all children have access to a fair and equal education, under the same roof.

Discussion Questions:

What did Roberto fight for? What did he believe in when he found out he was no longer allowed to attend Lemon Grove Grammar School?
When have you stood up for something you believe in?
What is prejudice? What is discrimination?
How is this story similar to other stories of school segregation you may have learned about?

More Resources:

To find more of the author’s work check out his website: https://www.brimner.com/

A site to help teacher’s create inclusive classrooms when explaining the difficult topic of prejudice and discrimination: https://secure.understandingprejudice.org/teach/elemtips.htm

Activities to help elementary level students learn about the harms of prejudice: https://secure.understandingprejudice.org/teach/l.htm

A lesson plan by PBS on civil rights: https://nm.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/osi04.soc.ush.civil.lp_stand/taking-a-stand/