Child of the Flower-Song People by Gloria Amescua

This picture book is fiction based on real events.  Luz Jimenez, daughter of the Nahua, grows up wanting to be a teacher.

Abrams Young Readers sent me a copy of this book to read and review (thank you).  It has been published so you can get a copy now.

You follow Luz along as she learns the way of her parents and grandparents.  She can do crafts, tell the heritage of her family, and do work, too.  But when she sees a teacher, she wants to go to school.  They won't let her go because she's Mexican.

As time goes on, she finds a way to make her dream come true.

There's a timeline and glossary at the back of the book with a list of books you could read to learn more about her.  She never gave up.