All For The Better: A Story of El Barrio (1997) All For The Better: A Story of El Barrio is about a young Puerto Rican girl, Evelina Lopez Antonetty, who showed herself over and over again to be a leader. She proved that one person could make a difference. It was her faith in humanity and her love of all people that helped her succeed. She is remembered by people in the South Bronx and throughout the larger Puerto Rican community. During the dark days of the Great Depression, eleven-year-old Evelina Lopez Antonetty leaves Puerto Rico to live with an aunt in New York and encounters prejudice and hardships. With patience and determination, she finds success and learns that one person can make a difference as she adjusts to life in her new home. Nicholasa Mohr is a published author of several young adult and children’s books. Some of her published credits include: All For The Better: A Story of El Barrio (Stories of America), The Dust Bowl Adventures of Patty and Earl Buckler (I Am American) and Yankee Blue or Rebel Gray: The Civil War Adventures of Sam Shaw. Rudy Gutierrez is a published author and illustrator of children’s books. Some of his published credits include: All For The Better: A Story of El Barrio (Stories of America), Malcolm X (Trophy Chapter Books) and Pele, King of Soccer/Pele, El rey del futbol. In 1998 Gutierrez received a Gold Medal from the New York Society of Illustrators, and he continues to contribute to exhibits and publications addressing societal ills and promoting brotherhood. The Stories of America series is Alex Haley’s contribution to the education of America’s young people. This book (All For The Better) is respectfully dedicated to his memory. ~ The Editors.

Introduction By Alex Haley, General Editor

All For The Better: A Story of El Barrio • Reviews

“An eleven-year-old Puerto Rican girl living in New York’s Spanish Harlem in 1932 encounters prejudice and hardships. With determination and patience she finds success and makes a positive difference in her community.” - Education Resource Center.

“Noted Puerto Rican writer, Nicholasa Mohr, inspires with the true story of a young girl, Evelina Lopez Antonetty (1984-1992), who gave her all to make a true difference in her community. Recommended for older readers.” - Journal For Multicultural Studies.

“The touching story of a young girl sent to the mainland so her family in Puerto Rico won’t be so financially burdened. Evelina Lopez is 11 years old when she is saying her good-byes to her mother and two sisters as she is leaving to live with her aunt and uncle in New York during the Depression Era. When she arrives, her aunt and uncle greet her and she is taken to their home and shown her room. The school year has begun and soon Evelina is enrolled and attending her first classes in English. She has run-ins with some girls but handles herself well and makes friends easily. As a doer, Evelina has a clear way of seeing things and acts on her beliefs. She figures out a way to get food for many neighbors who are too proud to accept charity. During this time of great hardship, Evelina is a symbol of hope. I would like to have met Evelina Lopez. Her life seems to have been an inspiration.” - Providence, RI.

“All for the Better tells the story of how one caring person can make a difference. In 1933, the Great Depression had hit Puerto Rico as hard as it had hit the United States. Evelina Lopez, then 11, left her mother and sisters to live with an aunt in New York City. Her journey to Spanish Harlem, El Barrio, and the life that followed there make up this simple biography.” - School Library Journal.

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