Description Based on a true story, the tale of one girl's perilous journey to cross theU.S. border and lead her family to safety during the Mexican Revolution. It is 1913, and twelve-year-old Petra Luna's mama has died while the Revolution rages inMexico. Before her papa is dragged away by soldiers, Petra vows to him that she will carefor the family she has left--her abuelita, little sister Amelia, and baby brother, Luisito--until they can be reunited. They flee north through the unforgiving desert as their townburns, searching for safe harbor in a world that offers none. Each night when Petra closes her eyes, she holds her dreams close, especially her long-held desire to learn to read. Abuelita calls these barefoot dreams: "They're like usbarefoot peasants and indios--they're not meant to go far." But Petra refuses to listen. Through battlefields and deserts, hunger and fear, Petra will stop at nothing to keep herfamily safe and lead them to a better life across the U.S. border--a life where herbarefoot dreams could finally become reality.