Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna

Petra is a 12-year-old girl living in a small Mexican village in the early 20th century. Having recently lost her mother to a difficult childbirth and her father to the Federales (for whom he is forced to fight in the Mexican Revolution), Petra shoulders significant responsibility for a child her age. A strong-willed and independent young girl, Petra is determined to fulfill her promise to her father to care for her family in his place when he is hauled off to join the Federales. Committed to keeping her family safe amid the nationwide violence and destruction incited by the Mexican Revolution, Petra becomes a caretaker for her six-year-old sister, Amelia, her elderly Abuelita, and her baby brother, Luisito. Each family member relies on the young girl for support, and she works tirelessly to feed, house, and keep them warm by way of gathering food and chopping wood to sell to locals. In addition to being the family breadwinner and source of their daily survival, Petra feels obligated to “be brave for” (57) her family, often willing herself to appear emotionally resilient in order to keep their spirits up, even in moments when she can feel herself crumbling. When Petra is offered a position as a soldier with the rebels, she turns down the opportunity to stay close to her family and make sure they reach safety in the US, emphasizing the Importance of Family During Times of Upheaval.