This story is about a young 14 year old girl whose parents get deported. She lives with family friends, constantly getting neglected by child protective services. She soon realizes that she is not the same as those around her. Dealing with racial slurs and learning how to fit in without changing who she is. Losing her family she struggles with heavy topics such as depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts. While these topics are heavy, I would read this book in my class. Showing students that they are not alone. Encourging them to constinue to be themselves despite those around them. Rather than hide our differences we should celebrate them. ( )

"Guerrero tells her own story of growing up with undocumented immigrant parents and the devastating effect on her life when they were deported.

Using a conversational tone that makes her story eminently accessible, Guerrero (writing with Moroz) tells of being born with a privilege her parents did not have: U.S. citizenship. As is the case with many undocumented immigrants, from the time they arrived from Colombia they took on all kinds of low-paying jobs, dreaming of a better life for themselves and, particularly, their children. Although they kept a low profile, Guerrero’s parents were detained and deported in 2001, when she was 14. Left behind to fend for herself, Guerrero moved in with family friends until she went to college. The trauma of her experience finally caught up with her there, when she suffered from debilitating depression and started cutting. Eventually, with a series of lucky breaks and by sheer gumption and determination, she landed a part on the hit show Orange Is the New Black. Nowadays Guerrero also works to bring to light the plight of undocumented families and to fight for their rights. A list of resources is included. Although the book is pitched to a middle-grade audience, Guerrero’s struggles as a teen and young adult are likely to go over their heads—and, importantly, will resonate keenly with YA readers.

This is a timely reminder that none of us lives in a vacuum and that deportation affects more than just the deportee. (Memoir. 12-18)" www.kirkusreviews.com

This book focuses on Guerrero's childhood that is essentially destroyed when her parents get arrested on the same day and, a month later, deported to Colombia. As she was born in the US, she does not follow them, and the system does not recognize that she needs help. Against these major obstacles, she manages not only to finish high school, get into college, overcome depression but follow her dream to become an actor. I think the target audience of this book are teenagers, middle school through college, which makes the style of writing easier to deal with. The book finishes on a call for action, with some resources to help undocumented immigrants and their families. ( )

Diane shares her story in this quick read. When she is 14, both of her parents are arrested and deported to their native-Colombia. Born in the US, she is left on her own and reeling from the loss. She lives with family friends while going to the Boston Arts Academy. After graduation she has a rough road forging her paths and dealing with the fractured family relationships. She decides to take a chance to pursue performing, her first love. The book ends with a call to action and details her career and activism. ( )

Diane Guerrero's story is heartbreaking, but timely. Born to immigrants from Colombia who were in the U.S. illegally, Diane learned at a young age that hard work and a desire for a better life were not enough. Her childhood was filled with laughter and love, but there was an underlying fear of deportation. Her parents tried to become U.S. citizens, but the lawyer that Diane's father hired turned out to be a con man and took off with all of their savings. When Diane's mother tried to get U.S. citizenship on her own, she was arrested and sent back to Colombia. Diane's mother was able to return to Boston, only to be arrested and sent back to Colombia again. When Diane was 14, both of her parents were arrested and deported for good, leaving Diane to fend for herself by relying on the kindness of her friends' parents. Diane suffered emotionally from the trauma of being separated from her family, and in spite of overcoming all odds and graduating from the Boston Arts Academy and then Regis College, she struggled with depression and cutting in her early 20s. At her lowest point, she considered suicide. Thanks to a therapist named Lorraine, Diane turned things around for herself and decided to enroll in acting classes to pursue her dream of performing. With hard work and some luck, Diane landed a role on the hit show Orange is the New Black, then starred in Jane the Virgin. She has decided to use her fame to educate people about immigration reform.

This is the young readers' version of Diane Guerrero's memoir In the Country We Love: My Family Divided. I found the writing of this book to be conversational, but it annoyed me that it was filled with colloquialisms (for example, the liberal use of LOL and "dude"). I suppose middle school readers may enjoy that, but I found it off-putting. Nevertheless, Diane's story is important, and the last chapter includes a "call to action" that will hopefully inspire many teens to become more politically active.

Recommended for gr. 6-9. ( )