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. ( )

This book is about Alfredo´s story with his father who crossed the border. He talked about his trip to cross the border and how after four years Alfredo and his father joined her family again.
This book is bilingual.

A wholesome true story about a boy and his dad. Emphasizing their hard times in Mexico, and focuses on their experiences crossing the US boarder.
Good for upper elementary level readers! ( )

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." ( )

This is an OwnVoices and autobiographical book that follows the true story of Alfredo Alva and his journey with his father immigrating from Central Mexico to the United States in the 1980s.It is from the point of view of Alfredo and shows the trials and heartbreak that he went through when leaving his family, way of life, and place he called home for so long and having to search for a better life in an unfamiliar place. I would have this book in my class for my students to learn more about the reality of immigration and the sacrifices that people make for a better life. ( )