Small room, big dreams The journey of Julián and Joaquin Castro

Twin brothers Julián and Joaquin Castro are political dynamos. Julián was mayor of San Antonio when he became Barack Obama's Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; Joaquin currently represents Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives. Adults may even remember when Joaquin introduced Julián at the Democratic National Convention in 2012. Though most kids won't remember any of this, they'll find the story engaging. It recounts how the boys were raised by Rosie, their single mother, a social worker and La Raza activist, and their grandmother, Mamo, who dropped out of school in the third grade to work for rich families; the tight-knit family lived in a San Antonio barrio. The twins were always competitive, and the text emphasizes how they learned that they got better results working together. Also emphasized is the strong and continuing support the boys got from their families and community. The busy, bright illustrations propel the action, and a glossary, author's note, and list of sources make this useful for projects. A solid addition to the growing shelf of political picture-book biographies.

Gr 3--6--From humble beginnings, Julián and Joaquin Castro have succeed in many areas of their life. With strong female role models, their Grandma Mamo and mom Rosie, it is no wonder the twins were led to a life of political service with emphasis on the challenges and inequalities facing Mexican Americans. From a young age, the boys assisted their mother as she fought for the rights of those in her community. The twins excelled in every aspect of their lives, from athletics to academics, ultimately becoming lawyers. Soon after, they made it a mission to serve their communities with positions as councilman and mayor (Julián) and in the U.S. House of Representatives (Joaquin). In 2019, Julián made a bid for president and though he was not successful, he and his brother are clearly not ready to give up their political aspirations. Vibrant, colorful illustrations with precise detail carry the biography along in an invigorating way. VERDICT A brilliant example of how family ties can lead to great accomplishments as one embraces their cultural heritage.--Martha Rico, Yselta I.S.D., TX

Brown begins this biography of the Mexican American twins -- one a member of President Obama's cabinet and presidential candidate, the other a U.S. congressman -- with their grandmother's emigration from Mexico to Texas as an orphan in 1922. The twins were raised by their grandmother, who had only a third-grade education, and their single mother, "the first Chicana to run for San Antonio City Council, in 1971." The women's positive influence is clear as the well-shaped narrative emphasizes the brothers' commitment to education, hard work, and community betterment. The welcoming digital illustrations reflect the laudatory text's enthusiasm. An author's note, brief glossary of Spanish words and terms, and bibliography are appended. Concurrently published in Spanish as Pequena habitacion, grandes suenos: El viaje de Julian y Joaquin Castro. (c) Copyright 2023. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Before they were twins in the political arena, Julián and Joaquin Castro were kids whose mother and grandmother sowed the seeds of their big dreams. This biographical narration of their early years traces a natural path through the seemingly inevitable political journey of the Castro brothers, who channeled their competitive personalities (challenging each other in both tennis and student senate elections) into public service and the betterment of their own community. They are seen as following the example set by the two women who came before them: their maternal grandmother, Victoriana--who crossed the border at 7 and then dropped out of school in third grade but nevertheless valued education as a means to succeed--and their single mother, Rosie, who knew she needed a seat at the decision-making table and fought to get it, breaking glass ceilings for both women and Mexican Americans. Brown includes important context on migration, the often forgotten segregation targeting Mexicans and other Spanish-speaking populations, and the poor city planning that often affects marginalized communities. Ortega complements the narrative with details in the illustrations that emphasize the struggles that the Castro family overcame to achieve their successes, beginning in the small room the twins shared with their grandmother. Some Spanish is naturally introduced in the text and supported by context clues, and a glossary in the backmatter provides translations. A Spanish edition publishes simultaneously. (This book was reviewed digitally with 12-by-18-inch double-page spreads viewed at 43.2% of actual size.) Wonderfully entertaining and inspiring. (author's note, sources) (Picture book/biography. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.