Alexandra Diaz (1)

Retelling: Jaime and his cousin Angela embark on a perilous journey from their home in Guatemala after a violent gang murdered Angela's brother, Miguel. Their goal is to find sanctuary with Jaime's brother, Tomas, in los Estados Unidos. The author, Alexandra Diaz, hints at the true brutality of the journey for people with no other place to go as her heros witness the misfortune of their fellow travelers and narrowly escape the same fates themselves. Jaime is not known for his brawn, but uses the strength and talents he has as an artist to gain favor and support his cousin.

Thoughts and feelings: One good turn deserves another. My favorite moment in the book was when the scrappy dog they saved from a slow death turns out to be their salvation (I won't give it away). I also liked that Jaime's paternalism towards his cousin Angela was challenged when she stepped up to save them in unexpected ways. I would love to have read a little from her perspective, or from the perspective of Joaquin (who dressed like a boy to avoid unwanted attention on the road).… (more)

This is a great book that teachers should add to their 6th-8th grade library. Students may be able to relate to the character of this novel or feel empathy towards other students like him. You can connect this book to instruction in social studies when talking about immigration. This book follows a boy named Santiago who is fleeing Mexico after being abused by his caregivers. Santiago encounters a woman and her daughter on their way to cross the U.S. Mexican border and decided to join them. They encounter many obstacles on this journey, and they even almost die in the desert due to the heat. They grow very close as a family. Then, they are found, separated, and detained at a government facility where Santiago is left with uncertainty of his future for several months. This is a heart touching story that explores some of the difficulties people face behind immigration.… (more)

An excellent read for tweens/teens on the subject of contemporary immigration. Set in New Mexico, and following the continuing adventures of Jamie (12) and Angela (15), whose journey escaping Guatemala gang violence began in a previous book. Well written, from Jaime's point of view, and covers the complicated territory that the border represents, both physically (the relationships and community in border states which are being torn apart, navigating a new world in a different language) and mentally (dealing with the deaths of relatives who are far away, with bullying and language acquisition, with the fear of deportation and arrests). There's a huge amount packed into one boy's experience, but Diaz does a tremendous job addressing the subject.… (more)