D. J. Mills

An Afterword explains that “This book tells the true story of Alfredo Alva’s journey to Texas in the 1980s.” His father needed work to support the family, and there was none to be found in the place Alva grew up, La Ceja in the state of Gunajuato. Yes, Alva explained, he was hungry, but he didn’t want to leave.

In both Spanish and English, Alfredo tells his story of their harrowing journey with a “coyote,” a guide to get them across the US border from Mexico. (As the author explains, “these guides are named after clever, wolflike animals called coyotes that hunt near the border.)

They walked for days over steep and hostile terrain, dodging fire ants, scorpions, and snakes as well as hunger, thirst, and exhaustion. Eventually they made it to Texas, where they then lived in isolation from the language barrier and with fear of “men in uniforms.”

In time, Alfredo learned English and made new friends. He said, “I missed Mama, my brothers and little sister, but I liked my new life.” In November of that year, President Reagan granted amnesty to immigrants, and Alfredo and his father applied for citizenship. Then one day four years later, Papa told Alfredo they were taking a trip to El Paso, and there, the family finally reunited: “I was speechless to see all the faces I had missed for so long. Luis, Arturo and Ilda, all so much bigger now. And Mama . . . I couldn’t move.”

The informative back matter includes not only more details about Alfredo’s history, but about borders and culture, and immigration.

Vividly colored mixed-media illustrations by Claudia Navarro show the shifting emotions of the family members before, during, and after their journey.

Evaluation: This moving account for readers 8 and over will help readers understand what it is like for kids who emigrate with their family members in search of a better life.… (mehr)

This bilingual, true story of a young boy and his father is about their hard life in Mexico, and why they chose to cross the border into the United States and leave their family behind. The story chronicles the events they experience, the people they encountered, many of the challenges they faced during their journey and what happens when they arrive in El Paso.

Critical Analysis: This book has colorful illustrations that move the text along brilliantly as it tells the story of daring immigration from a child's perspective offering mirrors, windows, and sliding doors. Children will benefit from learning about different perspectives and making inferences about what the characters are thinking and feeling as they make their journey. Alfredo Alva provides authentic authorship of his own true brave adventure

Favorite Quote: "Finally, I thought, finally, our family is together again."… (mehr)