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1997 Américas Award for Children’s and  Young Adult Literature Commended Title

 Notable Books for Children,1997,  Smithsonian

 1998 Tomás Rivera Mexican American  Children’s Book Award

 1998 Teachers' Choices Award from the  International Reading Association

 1998 Skipping Stones Multicultural Book  Award

 1999-2000, Texas Bluebonnet Master List  Title

 1999-2000, Nebraska Golden Sower  Nominee

Highlighted Reviews

"A gentle text and innovative artwork depict a pivotal summer in a boy’s life when he and his family leave their Texas home for farmwork in Iowa. . . . Spanish words slip in naturally and unobtrusively throughout Mora’s text as she focuses on the snug library and the books that fire Tomás’ imagination, and on his friendship with the librarian. . . . While young readers and future librarians will find this an inspiring tale, the endnote gives it a real kick; the story is based on an actual migrant worker who became chancellor of a university—where the library now bears his name."—Publishers Weekly

"From the immigrant slums of New York to the fields of California, it’s an elemental American experience: the uprooted child who finds a home in the library. Mora’s story is based on a true incident in the life of the famous writer Tomás Rivera, the son of migrant workers who became an education leader and university president." —Hazel Rochman, Booklist

"One summer in 1940s Iowa, a librarian welcomed a migrant worker child who found the wider world—and his future—in books. This powerful story is based on the boyhood of Tomás Rivera, who would grow to become Chancellor of the University of California, Riverside." —Smithsonian