Diaz, Alexandra. The Only Road.

Diaz, Alexandra.  The Only Road.  Simon & Schuster  2016  320p  $16.99       ISBN 978-1-4814-5750-7  ms  Multicultural  VG          

The Only Road starts out like any other book on immigration, but it quickly becomes a work that will not only engage teen readers, but also teach them.  Immigrants who try to come to the United States do not face challenges with immigration officers at the borders between Mexico and the U. S.  Instead, they face gangs, crooks disguised as friends, hatred, greed and countless dangers that often result in death.  What the reader finds are two teenagers who leave Guatemala with their money sewn into the seams of their jeans, and who resourcefully survive one scary encounter after another.  After surviving a harrowing train ride (during which they face starvation and other bodily harm), they figure out how to use their talents, one with sewing and the other with art, to earn enough money to pay Coyote to drive them across the border.  Along the way, there are some good, honest people who help them, but by and large, these people are few in number.  The list of supporting characters is like something out of a movie -- with Padre Kevin, the priest who harbors the immigrants, and Xavi, the young Salvadorian who introduces Angela and Jaime to Vida.  Vida is the survivor of a dog fight, a dog who miraculously survives thanks to Angela’s handiwork skill with a needle and thread.  Author Alexandra Diaz has written a book that sets itself apart from others, with its creative weaving together of true incidents, its plot that moves seamlessly forward, and its characters.  The theme of wanting a better life enough to give up one’s own life will resonate with young teenagers who are deciding for themselves what they deem worth fighting for. 

This novel is a very good choice for middle-school libraries and world-language classrooms.  The story of illegal immigration, although fictional, needs to be shared first, in exactly this genre, to engage the young in taking a stand on this issue in the future.  Please note that this would be a book of note had it been sent as a final printed edition.  The myriad spacing errors need to be corrected before it can be listed as a Tristate BON.

Summary: If they stay in Guatemala, they will be forced to work for the Alphas, the local gang.  If they leave to join Thomas in the U. S., they will face untold obstacles including the dangerous gangs of Mexico.  Jaime and Angela, with the help of their family, flee. 

Immigration-Fiction, Illegals-Fiction                                                              --Martha Squaresky

Rose, Judith Robbins. Look Both Ways In the Barrio Blanca.

Rose, Judith Robbins.  Look Both Ways In the Barrio Blanca.  Candlewick Press  2015 341p.  $16.99  ISBN 978-0-7636-7235-5      ms/hs  Realistic fiction  VG-BN

Jacinta and her two sisters are American-born Mexican girls.  Their parents are illegal immigrants.  The girls’ mother has left the family to return to Mexico to care for their abuelita.  The girls attend a youth program where Jacinta is befriended by a famous American personality as her Amiga.  While Jacinta is introduced to French-language classes, ballets, and gymnastics by this surrogate parent, her real family faces hardships, as her mother tries to return from Mexico and her father faces deportation.  Jacinta begins to question the friendship with her mentor as she begs for help with the family’s circumstances, which could endanger her Amiga.

This fast paced, true-to-life novel will engage young readers, particularly those coming from diverse backgrounds.  The hardships that the family faces are accurately portrayed, as they come to fear American authority and face many instances of prejudice.  Readers will actually feel the conflicting emotions of all the characters and find themselves rooting for a happy ending for all.

This book is recommended for any middle-school library and will appeal to young readers, particularly those coming from diverse backgrounds.

Summary: Jacinta and her two sisters, American-born Hispanic girls, and their illegal-immigrant parents struggle to face the issues of deportation and eviction; meanwhile, Jacinta is befriended by an American TV star who encourages Jacinta to follow her dreams and education.  However, the relationship becomes strained as the dark realities set in.        

Immigration-Fiction                                         --Virginia McGarvey

Deported. (Port City High)

Freeman, Shannon.  Deported.  (Port City High)  Saddleback  2014  200p  $9.95  ISBN 978-1-62250-039-0  ms/jr  A  

The summer had been so wonderful and everything just felt right. Then school began, and as everyone got into a routine little things began to fall out of place. Marisa’s brother who was in 8th grade befriended a new boy who seemed to be okay on the surface.  Then trouble broke out, and although her brother was not involved, he was caught near the site of the incident and was carted off to jail.  He was released, but he still had to go to court as an accused.  The day of trial, things went from bad to worse, and when her father was called as a witness he was led by the prosecutor to lose his temper and was found in contempt of the law.  The bigger problem was that her father was just days from becoming an American citizen, but now that opportunity was gradually disappearing.

Summary: Marisa thought life was going okay for her and her family, but then her younger brother got into trouble and the effect it had on her family was quite devastating.         

Immigration-Fiction                                   --Magna Diaz

Burgan, Michael. Ellis Island: An Interactive Adventure.

Burgan, Michael.  Ellis Island: An Interactive Adventure.   Capstone Publishers  2014     112p  ISBN 978-1-4765-0253-3  elm/ms  E-BNS     Historical fiction     

Rather than presenting the dates and wherefores of history, this delightful book on Ellis Island lets students follow the path of each of three immigrants and learn a great deal about the process of immigration at the turn of the century. In the process of following an immigrant, students will also learn what life was like in Russia, Italy and Germany.  Further, they will possibly learn what it was that pushed these people to immigrate, and what their lives were like afterward in the United States.  Occasional photographs from the period inform the surrounding text, making the book that much more interesting to read.  The book concludes with an overview timeline, Common Core key ideas, references for further reading (print and web), a glossary, a bibliography, and finally an index that refers the reader to specific events or documents of the time.  

Thirteen books complete this series of excellent history books.  History is presented in a very imaginative and interesting manner.  They are very good hi/lo books for students.

Summary: The reader gets to place him or herself in one of three roles immigrating to the United States early in the 1900s.  The choices are a Jewish youth leaving the violence of Russia, an Italian teen who lands at Ellis Island during WWI, or a German immigrant who faces deportation.  

Immigration-Fiction                                        --Lynn Fisher