"Carlitos’ mother is a janitor. Every night, he sleeps while his mother cleans in one of the skyscrapers in downtown L.A. When she comes home, she waves Carlitos off to school before she goes to sleep. One night, his mamá explains that she can’t make enough money to support him and his abuelita the way they need unless she makes more money as a janitor. She and the other janitors have decided to go on strike.

Will he support her and help her all he can? Of course, Carlitos wants to help but he cannot think of a way until his teacher, Miss Lopez, explains in class how her own grandfather had fought for better wages for farmworkers when he first came to the United States. Finally, Carlitos knows how he can show his mamá how proud he is of her. He and the other children in his class make posters and Carlitos joins the marchers with a very special sign for his mom!

¡Sí, Se Puede! is a Jane Addams Peace Award Honor Book, a Skipping Stones Honor Book, as well as a selection for The Best of Beyond Difference, a recommended list of the top 10 diversity books published in 2002."

This book was about the janitor strike in LA. It was based on a true story and is very eye opening to things that are going on in the world today. Each page was written in both English and Spanish.

Age: primary / intermediate
Genre: historical

This was a very cool book. It is not a typical story you would think of but it is based on the true story of the janitor strike in LA. It was well written and I really liked that it was written in both Spanish and English. It would not be my only representation of Mexican-Americans in the classroom though. ( )

Primary; Realistic Fiction; Historical; This book was a great story of hard work and courage. The mama goes on strike with janitors in L.A. demanding better pay and work conditions and is supported by the community. The young boy gets to watch her lead the movement and invited his class to help. It is about the janitor strike in L.A. Together they fill the streets and demand change. Great story for a read aloud or classroom library. Each page is written in both Spanish and English. ( )

¡Si, Se Puede! Yes, We Can! by Diana Cohn was based off the Janitor Strike in Los Angeles in 2000. Carlitos' mom works as a janitor for buildings in downtown LA. She is underpaid and works many jobs in order to provide for her family. She, along with fellow janitors, goes on strike demanding the pay raises they deserve. Carlitos, eager to help his mom, enlists the help of his Abuelita, his teacher Miss Lopez, and his classmates to make signs and participate in the strikes. Written in both English and Spanish, ¡Si, Se Puede! Yes, We Can! explores the socioeconomic injustices immigrants experience in the United States and the courage it takes to fight for what they deserve. ( )