"A poetic and unforgettable tale crafted with insight, wisdom, and compassion. One of the best books for discussion I've read in years." - Ashley Walsh, author of Breakthrough and Cottonwood Creek
"An inspirational story of aspirations for education and self-reliance." - A. Nikki Hempe, M.Ed. Multicultural Special Education Professional
"Chapa excels at giving voice to young Annie, whose inner thoughts are shared ... [She] succeeds in honoring her grandmother's legacy through a story that also sheds light on the stigmas associated with learning disabilities and menial labor ... This is a moving inter-generational story of a woman who overcomes challenging circumstances." - BlueInk Reviews
"A realistic, captivating portrayal of complex and all-encompassing women's friendships, the historical novel The Marching Ant follows a young woman as she gets to know her hero-her grandmother-from the inside out." - Mari Carlson, Foreward Reviews
"Chapa's wrenching yet heartening debut, based on her grandmother's life, will shock, horrify, and ultimately inspire ...This heartbreaking yet ultimately inspirational story personifies tenacity and the will to survive." - Publisher's Weekly BookLife
Bound by her father's gambling debts, Antonia "Annie" has spent her youth picking cotton in Big Spring, Texas. When a worksite welfare check takes her and the other pickers by surprise, the truth of Annie's repression is unveiled and changes her perspective forever.
In her desperation to experience a free life and create a foundation for her future children, Annie fiercely sets her eyes on dreaming big and daring to learn. With hopes to one day become a writer, Annie's journey is nothing short of extraordinary.
Nostalgic and inspiring by turns, The Marching Ant is an empowering acknowledgment of the burden of intergenerational trauma and a celebration of those who have the grit and good fortune to overcome it. Chapa reminds us that life's biggest learnings come from outside of the classroom.
