Debbie Zapata – författare

Isabel hopes all her birthday wishes will come true. She’s dreamed of a big party with all her friends and family and a piÑata, candy, and cake. But when the day arrives, MamÁ says they will have a small fiesta, and Abuelo explains that store-bought piÑatas are expensive. Isabel begins to think it doesn’t even feel like her birthday! But Abuela reassures her they will have cake. Then a mix-up at lunchtime spells disaster for the rest of the day. Is there anything that can save Isabel’s birthday? In this heartwarming story, Isabel learns that things don’t always go as planned, but sometimes life surprises us

This compelling biography tells the story of Roy Velsquez and how he built a community fighting against segregation and discrimination in Austin, Texas, by starting a thriving taxi company for those not being served by the city's institutions.Roy Velsquez was the son of Mexican immigrants, living in Austin, Texas, at the height of segregation. Roy knewthe hardships faced by people of color because of the insurmountable policies put into place. What was anyone to do? Even just simple acts can go a long way. But Roy went further than that. . . .In segregated Austin, people of color weren't allowed in taxis, and the streetcar ended far from their homes. So Roy borrowed five dollars from a friend, purchased a taxi permit and a tank of gas, and drove people of color wherever they needed to go.Before long, one lone taxi became a fleet. For over seventy-five years, Roy's Taxi Service helped to fight segregation and poll taxes, and grow Austin into a community for everyone. Roy's story is a reminder that we can all affect change and that inclusion is our strength.

Esta apasionante biografa narra la historia de Roy Velsquez y cmo construy una comunidad que luchaba contra la segregacin y la discriminacin en Austin, Texas, al crear una prspera empresa de taxis para aquellos que no reciban servicios de las instituciones de la ciudad.Roy Velsquez era hijo de inmigrantes mexicanos y viva en Austin, Texas, en pleno apogeo de la segregacin racial. Roy saba de las dificultades a las que se enfrentaban las personas de color debido a las polticas infranqueables que se haban establecido. Qu se poda hacer? Incluso los actos ms sencillos pueden tener un gran impacto. Pero Roy fue ms all...En la segregada Austin, a las personas de color no se les permita subir a los taxis, y el tranva no llegaba a donde vivan. As que Roy pidi prestados cinco dlares a un amigo, compr una licencia de taxi y un tanque de gasolina, y rompi la barrera racial. Llevaba a las personas de color a donde necesitaran ir.En poco tiempo, un solo taxi se convirti en una flota. Durante ms de setenta y cinco aos, Roy's Taxi Service ayud a luchar contra la segregacin y los impuestos electorales, y contribuy a que Austin se convirtiera en una comunidad para todos. La historia de Roy nos recuerda que todos podemos influir en el cambio y que la inclusin es nuestra fortaleza.