Every year, hundreds of thousands of California fourth-graders embark on a fascinating journey of discovery called The California Mission Project. This project introduces kids and their families to the life and work of the Franciscan priest and founder Junipero Serra, whose vision and leadership established what ultimately became a network of 21 missions (built between 1769 and 1823) that shaped the life of early California and a history and culture that thrives to the present day.

On September 23rd, 2015, Pope Francis named Junipero Serra a saint--America's first Latino saint--calling him "one of the founding fathers of the United States and a special patron of the Hispanic people of the country."

Award-winning writer and historian Gregory Orfalea offers this lively guide for students and their families to the life, missions and legacy of Junipero Serra. Beginning with Serra's birth in Mallorca, Spain, and tracing his exciting, danger-filled, journey of nearly 20,000 miles across sea and land--much of that on a painfully infected foot--Orfalea takes us step by step through the New World he helped to shape.

Orfalea shows how a poor farmer's son became an inspired priest and explorer, standing as a leader seeking to protect California's Native Americans from the often brutal Spanish soldiers as he sought to bring them a better life. This guide will help students and their families understand Serra and his world as it guides them in their own discovery of California's historic missions.

Advance Praise

"Every California 4th grade teacher searches for ways to bring the story of the missions alive. Orfalea, the author of the breakthrough biography from Scribner, brings the story of Serra and the missions alive. Our 4th graders were gripped by the stories of Serra, celebrating his inspiration and courage, while showing his flaws in a sensitive way that respects our vital Native American heritage. Parents will be equally engaged by the guide to the California missions-it's truly a family read!"-Mark Palmerston, Executive Director, Santa Ynez (Public) Charter School

"In writing about Junípero Serra, Gregory Orfalea brings substance and perspective to an accessible narrative about one of California's definitive historical figures. Combined with a thorough reference guide to celebrate each of the state's 21 missions, this book addresses Serra's role in shaping California's history with the type of skill and enthusiasm that will make it appealing to a wide variety of readers. Better than any other resource I know, Orfalea's book distills Serra's complicated story to a meaningful text for children without losing any of the nuance that makes it such a gripping tale."-Jason Anklowitz, Principal, Calthorp School, Santa Monica

"Accessible to a wide range of readers, Orfalea's biography of America's newest saint acknowledges difficult issues while remaining appropriately family-friendly. Like biographers of old, Orfalea is ultimately most concerned about matters of character. His telling of Father Serra's life does justice both to the hardships that Serra faced, and the courage and deep faith that sustained his efforts."-Dr. Andrew Mullen, Professor of Education, Westmont College and Former Chair, Children's Book Council Committee on Notable Books in Social Studies

"A Franciscan with an apostle's heart and a discoverer's spirit, St. Junípero Serra spent nearly 40 years in the mid-1700s spreading the Gospel, defending the native peoples, and laying the foundations for a vibrant civil society and Christian civilization, first in Mexico and later in California. Gregory Orfalea has long been one of our finest historians of the life and times of St. Junípero. His new book offers an excellent introduction that will be a great resource for parents, students, teachers - and will inspire all of us who seek to continue the mission of bringing God's mercy and love to the Americas."-Most Reverend José H. Gomez, Ar
About the Author: Gregory Orfalea was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, and educated at Georgetown University and the University of Alaska. He has held teaching positions at Georgetown, The Claremont Colleges, and at Westmont College. Orfalea is the author and editor of ten books, the most recent of which are the acclaimed biography Journey to the Sun: Junipero Serra's Dream and the Founding of California (Scribner, 2014) and Angeleno Days, which won the 2010 Arab American Book Award and was named a Finalist for the PEN USA Award in Creative Nonfiction. He gives popular presentations on Serra and the California Missions to schools, universities, museums, libraries and missions across California.