Ann Jaramillo
Author of La Linea
About the Author
Image credit: via Macmillan
Works by Ann Jaramillo
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Canonical name
- Jaramillo, Ann
- Legal name
- Jaramillo, Ann E.
- Birthdate
- 1949
- Gender
- female
- Occupations
- middle school teacher
- Short biography
- Ann Jaramillo has been a middle school teacher in Salinas, California since 1971. She has taught new immigrant arrival teenagers from Mexico and students of Mexican descent born in Salinas, California. She is proud to be married to her husband, Luis, an attorney representing migrant farmworkers, for thirty-eight years. (Don’t get her started talking about her writer son Luis and his partner Matthew, or alternative-energy son Mateo and wife Virginia or most of all, new granddaughter, Carolina Clover.) Her family is famously all about words, from Grandma Petie who could recite poems she had memorized sixty years before, and composed many herself, to Grandma Dorie, champion Scrabble player and poet herself. She wants all young people to know and feel the power of words to both change lives and the world.
- Nationality
- USA
- Associated Place (for map)
- USA
Members
Reviews
This is the story of two siblings, Miguel and Elena who embark on a journey to reunite with their parents across the Mexco-US border. All they can think about is leaving their hometown and finally joining their parents after many years. What they didn't know is how difficult the journey would really be. Miguel was suppose to go first when Elena surprised him and changed the whole course of events by her addition. At the worst point in the journey, they make it and we are surprised by the show more future they find in the US.
This was an incredibly moving novel for me to read. Since I have lived close to this border in my life, I feel deep compassion for the people who suffer through the extreme conditions that border crossing people are faced with. I find that the juxtaposition of the Mexican people throwing food to the people riding the train with the American people who form militias to keep Mexicans out is jarring. It is sad to me to be on the side that has the people organizing into militias, and I have to remind myself that there are also organizations here that work to provide humanitarian aid and not gunshots. Especially if you live close to the border this is a relevant read at any age providing a valuable perspective on the hot topic of illegal immigration from Mexico to the US. show less
This was an incredibly moving novel for me to read. Since I have lived close to this border in my life, I feel deep compassion for the people who suffer through the extreme conditions that border crossing people are faced with. I find that the juxtaposition of the Mexican people throwing food to the people riding the train with the American people who form militias to keep Mexicans out is jarring. It is sad to me to be on the side that has the people organizing into militias, and I have to remind myself that there are also organizations here that work to provide humanitarian aid and not gunshots. Especially if you live close to the border this is a relevant read at any age providing a valuable perspective on the hot topic of illegal immigration from Mexico to the US. show less
This novel is about a young boy named Miguel. On his fifteenth birthday, he receives a letter from his father that he wants Miguel to join his mother and him in California. Miguel and his younger sister, Elena have grown up the past several years on the rancho with their Abuelita since their parents crossed la linea illegally to look for more work and a better life. Miguel and Elena’s parents promised to return for them someday and it is finally Miguel’s time. All the plans are in order, show more except unexpectedly, Elena decides to follow on the journey of crossing the border. Now they experience several obstacles and dangers together and realize quickly how hard the treck across the desert is. After all their troubles and fighting so hard, they finally reach their destination and reunite with their parents.
I really enjoyed reading this novel for many reasons. Ann Jaramillo wrote this fictional story based off of some of her student's experiences with being immigrants and crossing the border. I was engaged in the story the entire time and immediately had to read about the author and her story behind the book. I thought it was really interesting that she teaches English as a Second Language to middle schoolers and that she was able to create a story that reflected on her student’s lives and experiences. Although I wasn’t able to connect with everything in the story, I was able to feel the emotion, desperation, desire, loyalty, and betrayal that the characters did. I personally learned so much about this great book and think it is one that should definitely be read in the classroom. There is a cultural representation throughout and exposes readers to some of the realistic things happening in our world. It would be great for students because not only does it allow them to see more than just the political side of immigration, but also ties into either a window or mirror experience for them. show less
I really enjoyed reading this novel for many reasons. Ann Jaramillo wrote this fictional story based off of some of her student's experiences with being immigrants and crossing the border. I was engaged in the story the entire time and immediately had to read about the author and her story behind the book. I thought it was really interesting that she teaches English as a Second Language to middle schoolers and that she was able to create a story that reflected on her student’s lives and experiences. Although I wasn’t able to connect with everything in the story, I was able to feel the emotion, desperation, desire, loyalty, and betrayal that the characters did. I personally learned so much about this great book and think it is one that should definitely be read in the classroom. There is a cultural representation throughout and exposes readers to some of the realistic things happening in our world. It would be great for students because not only does it allow them to see more than just the political side of immigration, but also ties into either a window or mirror experience for them. show less
La Linea is a realistic and often brutal story of the struggle to cross the border to America. The author does a good job of keeping the politics to a minimum, concentrating only on the human situation.
The novel started a little slow but soon I was engrossed. I read this for volunteering in a seventh grade class: the book's topic and reading level are good for this group but still enjoyable enough for me. The reading was woven into a lesson on immigration and it really gives an incredible perspective. The adolescent thinking in the book is honest but the reader will recognize the fallacies.
Overall, an good read with interesting characters and a fast paced ending. This is one of the few show more times that a novel has had an epilogue-ish ending that I've liked. show less
Overall, an good read with interesting characters and a fast paced ending. This is one of the few show more times that a novel has had an epilogue-ish ending that I've liked. show less
Awards
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Statistics
- Works
- 1
- Members
- 679
- Popularity
- #37,220
- Rating
- 4.0
- Reviews
- 35
- ISBNs
- 8
- Languages
- 2