Estela Juarez, Lissette Norman, and illustrator Teresa Martinez put together a picture book called Until Someone Listens: A Story about Borders, Family, and One Girl’s Mission.
This is the true story of Estela Juarez, her family and especially the story of her mother. You see, young Juarez’s mother was not born in this country. And though she had two daughters and was married to a US marine, and even though her family fought for years to keep her in the country she was departed to Mexico. And Estela did not think that was right. Not only did she miss her mother, why should anyone’s mother go through that? And Juarez decided she was not going to just ask why or deeply miss her mother; she was going to do something about it. She would write, speak, and do whatever she could to whomever would listen (from newspapers to the President) to have her family together again.
The book is illustrated with sweet, hopeful images, which counter the bitterness you can find within the text. Details, which include expressions, the landscape, the family unit, and the hummingbird symbolizing Juarez’s strength and power, fill the pages. Colors are sharp, not overwhelming and compliment the story.
This story illustrates with text and art the current events of some families. It also shows how one person, even an eight-year-old girl could stand up and be heard. It shows strength and determination.
Publisher description includes that Juarez hopes to become and immigration lawyer and Congresswoman. Both the English and Spanish editions are due in mid-September, 2022.
