Donna Bowman's Reviews > Free to Learn: How Alfredo Lopez Fought for the Right to Go to School

A very human immigration story wrapped in a kid-friendly picture book narrative.

Cynthia Levinson is arguably one of the best social justice writers for young readers. In Free to Learn, a historical fiction picture book for ages 5 and up, young Alfredo Lopez and his family flee to the United States for work opportunities. Once settled in their new Tyler home, Alfredo longs to go to school, but when Texas institutes a new law that forbids undocumented children, specifically from Mexico and not others, from attending school, a decision is made to challenge the state in court. Ultimately, the Texas law is deemed unconstitutional. At last, Alfredo and other undocumented kids can go to school! ----------- Though the narrative is fictionalized, the characters and events of the story are factual. Levinson humanizes the immigrant experiences by establishing motivations, emotions, and the gravity of justice. This book will enlighten readers, spark conversations, and inspire greater empathy. Excellent!