Enjoyable read. The anticipation of the eventual fall had me so nervous. Well written! ( )

Letty was always too busy to take care of her own kids. As a single parent, she worked three jobs for fourteen years, while her mother took over the responsibility of the children. Now, in her early thirties, Letty’s parents are leaving her and have decided to move back to Mexico. How will Letty manage? As each day passes, she does the best that she can do, and each day she learns more and more. One day, she decides to get her son out of their dangerous neighborhood high school and into a school that offers opportunities. (Desc. by Sandralovesbooks.)

My Review: I liked the book, but it doesn't compare to her "Language of Flowers." ( )

Fan's of Diffenbaugh's "Language of Flowers" will find an equally powerful coming-of-age tale with a very different feel. She has a wonderful way of pulling you into the lives of her characters: I wanted to shake Letty, the young mother who left the raising of children to her parents - until they forced her to take responsibility for herself and her kids, and then I found myself rooting for her. But for me, the power in the story was that of her son, Alex - his compassion, his perseverance and his drive to succeed - which ultimately leads him to a place where we all need to ask some hard questions. Moody and nuanced, It's really a coming-of-age tale of both he and his mother, and Diffenbaugh takes on headfirst the issues of illegal immigration and education in a way that will break your heart and leave you hanging on until the end. Just lovely. ( )

Vanessa Diffenbaugh is a very talented writer. She brought the characters alive in a good story about love, failure, growing up, and redemption. ( )

This is really more like 4.5 stars to me because I felt like some parts of the story were too rushed. Other than that, I loved it. This was one of those books that once you start reading makes you want to do nothing but read so you can finish it. Most of the characters were so rich and vivid, it like I knew them. I wanted more Wes and I would have liked a little more on the friendship with Sara because it seemed very important to Letty. ( )