A 2022 Pura Belpre Honor Book
An NYPL Best Book of 2021
A Texas Bluebonnet Master List Selection
An NPR Best Book of 2021
It's 1913, and twelve-year-old Petra Luna's mama has died while the Revolution rages in Mexico. Before her papa is dragged away by soldiers, Petra vows to him that she will care for the family she has left - her abuelita, little sister Amelia, and baby brother Luisito. They flee north through the desert, searching for safe harbor. Each night when Petra closes her eyes, she holds her dreams close, especially her long-held desire to learn to read. Abuelita calls these barefoot dreams, but Petra refuses to listen. She will stop at nothing to keep her family safe and lead them to a better life across the U.S. border where her dreams could finally become reality.