21 Miles of Scenic Beauty... and then Oxnard: Counterstories and Testimonies

I really loved this book, it was a great way to be more informed about the community of Oxnard, California. I am a future teacher taking an Equity class at my college. We were assigned to read this book, and it is so meaningful. I really loved the way the author wrote it in a way that the students and kids from Oxnard, California could understand and connect to each story told. Even though I am not from Oxnard, I could connect to the emotions and how much it means to the author to tell these stories. Overall, this book was incredible and I really loved it.

This book was one of my favorites that I have read in my 4 years of college. Being in college, I have been tasked with reading so many books that are boring to read and hard to focus on; With this book it was easy to flow and kept my attention the whole time. Growing up in a poorly labeled neighborhood, I was able to relate to the messages that the author was conveying. Anyone considering this book should read it as it will offer multiple perspectives and valuable take aways.

These counterstories are so important for many of us from the Oxnard community. We see ourselves in these characters. This is a book that centers us, it is written for us. Not only does Martin present a rich and fuller picture of our community but he also indicts structural oppressive systems at play. In our setting where the media and Trump often reduce the Latinx community to playing stereotypical characters at best and at worst, portray our communities as pathologically violent and subhuman, these counterstories are invaluable.¡Y que orgullo mirar a alguien de la comunidad escribiendo sobre nuestras vidas!

Loved the book ! So relatable to growing upIn Oxnard ! If your from Oxnard , it’s a must read ! Not only is there great memories , but the author touches on so many issues that although were affected by we may not think about day to day ! I work at a local school and the students loved and were very inspired by the book ! Can’t say enough great things about this book & author

I love the book & I'm happy that a book about my city and my people has been written.

He is in a glass house throwing stones, Definitely educated but he isn’t smart. Every story had the potential to be good, however, they were filled with a bunch of bias and hate. I grew up in Oxnard, never associated with his kind though. My parents raised me to be self reliant and didn’t expect the school system to do all the work. He seems to surround himself with the very people he hates and is comforted by being their token.

This is a GREAT READ!! I'm from Oxnard and lived in the "Blue Ghetto" which he talks about. NOTHING he wrote about is a lie. He touched on so many issues our community deals with on the daily, issues that resonate for me. There is so much more to Oxnard than the reputation people give it.

Love it. I can’t put the book down