Cris Plata: From Fields to Stage // Del Campo al Escenario (Badger Biographies Series)
Badger Biographies Series
on Goodreads (6)
What’s inside...
Raised among Mexican American farmworkers, singer-songwriter Cris Plata experienced a childhood filled with both hardships and music. From moving across states as a migrant farmworker to facing racial prejudice and poor working conditions, music remained a constant source of bonding and upliftment for his family. Learning to play instruments from a young age, Cris now writes and performs his own music in both English and Spanish with his band, Cris Plata with Extra Hot. This dual language book traces his journey from the farm fields to the musical stage, showcasing his decision to make Wisconsin his home.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
12-18
Length
136 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Cris Plata
Cris’S Father
Discussion points
How do you think Cris Plata's childhood and work in the fields influenced his music?
What challenges did Cris face and how did he overcome them?
Why is it important to follow your dreams, like Cris did with his music career?
How can sharing one's cultural heritage through talents, such as music, impact others?
What did you learn about perseverance and dedication from Cris Plata's story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate their own experiences or dreams to those of Cris Plata, fostering a deeper personal connection to the story.
Discuss the notion of hard work and how it plays a role in achieving one’s goals, drawing parallels to Cris's dedication.
Explore the cultural aspects mentioned in the book, perhaps listening to some of Cris Plata's music together to enrich the discussion.
Ask your child to imagine an interview with Cris Plata. What questions would they ask him about his life and career?
Celebrate the themes of the book by creating a family activity that involves music or exploring different cultural heritages.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: This biography follows Cris Plata's journey from working in the fields to becoming a successful musician. It highlights the challenges he faced and how he overcame them through determination.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of resilience and not giving up, even when faced with difficult situations. This can help them tackle challenging schoolwork or extracurricular activities.
Example Lesson: Cultural Appreciation
Explanation: The story of Cris Plata deeply roots in his Latino heritage, showcasing how he incorporates cultural elements into his music career.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to explore and appreciate their own cultures and those of others around them, promoting diversity and inclusion in their daily interactions.
Example Lesson: Hard Work
Explanation: Cris’s story emphasizes the value of hard work and dedication in achieving one’s dreams, depicted through his commitment to music, despite the manual labor he did as a child
Real-World Application: Instills the ethic of hard work in children, helping them understand that success is often earned through consistent effort and dedication.
Example Lesson: Following One's Passion
Explanation: Cris's transition from fields to stage exemplifies the importance of following one's dreams and passions, regardless of their origins or difficulties faced.
Real-World Application: Motivates children to pursue what they love or find interesting, be it in arts, sports, or any other field, emphasizing that joy and fulfillment come from doing what one is passionate about.