In the Spirit of a Dream: 13 Stories of American Immigrants of Color

This encouraging free verse poetry collection written by Salazar and illustrated by 13 artists—all of whom are “first- and second-generation immigrants of color”—profiles as many people of color who have emigrated to America. Framing poems serve as introduction and conclusion to biographies that cover figures with accomplishments in sports, music, literature, STEM, politics, and more. In a spread profiling Sriracha sauce creator David Tran, the Vietnamese entrepreneur is described in moving conversational verse, as art by Chau portrays a warm painted collage of Tran and his journey: “Everyone raved about Sriracha’s yumminess/ as word moved from happy mouth to happy mouth.” The spreads present each figure in a distinctive, varied style as Salazar gamely shares their challenges and successes. Back matter includes extended biographies, an anthologist note by Chau, and an author’s note by Salazar. Ages 5–7. (Dec.)