(3) K-3 Illustrated by Mirelle Ortega. Brown begins this biography of the Mexican American twins--one a member of President Obama's cabinet and presidential candidate, the other a U.S. congressman--with their grandmother's emigration from Mexico to Texas as an orphan in 1922. The twins were raised by their grandmother, who had only a third-grade education, and their single mother, "the first Chicana to run for San Antonio City Council, in 1971." The women's positive influence is clear as the well-shaped narrative emphasizes the brothers' commitment to education, hard work, and community betterment. The welcoming digital illustrations reflect the laudatory text's enthusiasm. An author's note, brief glossary of Spanish words and terms, and bibliography are appended. Concurrently published in Spanish as Pequeña habitación, grandes sueños: El viaje de Julián y Joaquín Castro.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn