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roglows's review against another edition
5.0
Everyone should read this book.
In high school.
Perhaps we’d have more compassion, empathy and perspective.
In high school.
Perhaps we’d have more compassion, empathy and perspective.
livannereads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This should be required reading for everyone.
theshaggyshepherd's review against another edition
5.0
The Book of Rosy // by Rosayra Pablo Cruz, Julie Schwietert Collazo
It's been so long since I requested this title that I could not remember what it was about. I like to go into books blindly so I did not look at the description before starting this. Oh my. I was so not ready for this read. I've heard a lot of immigration stories from people in my family and from outside of the family but there is another layer to hearing it from someone who is a good storyteller -- and Rosayra Pablo Cruz really knew how to tell her story.
This story broke my heart so many times. I can't even tell you how often I cried while reading this book. The Book of Rosy is split into 3 main parts. It started out with Rosayra's life in Guatemala and her experience of coming to the US illegally twice. We get to hear about the why and the how. If this story doesn't convince you to show some grace to refugees, then I'm not really sure what can. The second part is told by Julie Schwietert Collazo, founder of Immigrant Families Together. She talks about the beginnings of the organization and how she heard about Rosayra's case. Her story eventually picks up where Rosayra's part 1 ended, letting us know the behind the scenes of the organization's help for this refugee mother. Part 3 returns back to Rosayra and her two boys, letting us know about their experience once they got involved with IFT, learning just how much a community can come together in times of need.
I learned a lot of things with this book. I learned some more details about immigration and refugees, the many ways people like me can assist those in need even with small acts of kindness, and how one person can make a huge different just by starting out with small steps. One of my favorite parts of this book though was watching two religions come together the way they did here. I'm not a religious person myself but it fascinates me how religion can drive a person's motivations and affect their daily life. This part was beautifully told in this book and I loved learning about concepts, such as 'Hineni' and 'Tikkun Olam.'
Whether you want a non-fiction read to learn about immigration or to have your heart touched by a true story or because you just like to experience other people's cultures or experiences, I highly recommend this one. I know I for one will be thinking of this book regularly in the future.
Thank you to the authors, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
It's been so long since I requested this title that I could not remember what it was about. I like to go into books blindly so I did not look at the description before starting this. Oh my. I was so not ready for this read. I've heard a lot of immigration stories from people in my family and from outside of the family but there is another layer to hearing it from someone who is a good storyteller -- and Rosayra Pablo Cruz really knew how to tell her story.
This story broke my heart so many times. I can't even tell you how often I cried while reading this book. The Book of Rosy is split into 3 main parts. It started out with Rosayra's life in Guatemala and her experience of coming to the US illegally twice. We get to hear about the why and the how. If this story doesn't convince you to show some grace to refugees, then I'm not really sure what can. The second part is told by Julie Schwietert Collazo, founder of Immigrant Families Together. She talks about the beginnings of the organization and how she heard about Rosayra's case. Her story eventually picks up where Rosayra's part 1 ended, letting us know the behind the scenes of the organization's help for this refugee mother. Part 3 returns back to Rosayra and her two boys, letting us know about their experience once they got involved with IFT, learning just how much a community can come together in times of need.
I learned a lot of things with this book. I learned some more details about immigration and refugees, the many ways people like me can assist those in need even with small acts of kindness, and how one person can make a huge different just by starting out with small steps. One of my favorite parts of this book though was watching two religions come together the way they did here. I'm not a religious person myself but it fascinates me how religion can drive a person's motivations and affect their daily life. This part was beautifully told in this book and I loved learning about concepts, such as 'Hineni' and 'Tikkun Olam.'
Whether you want a non-fiction read to learn about immigration or to have your heart touched by a true story or because you just like to experience other people's cultures or experiences, I highly recommend this one. I know I for one will be thinking of this book regularly in the future.
Thank you to the authors, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
vanesst's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deportation and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Gun violence, Abandonment, Death of parent, and Murder
erincataldi's review against another edition
3.0
A firsthand account of just how inhumane and despicable conditions are at the US/ Mexican border. Rosayra Pablo Cruz tells her harrowing story of the conditions that led her to flee Guatemala with two of her children and the consequences of her trying to file asylum in the United States. Having crossed the border once a few years prior Rosayra wasn't prepared for what awaited her this time, renewed anti-immigrant rhetoric flamed cruel policies that led to her being locked in a cold cell and separated from her boys. Thankfully an organization of moms, lawyers, and volunteers started working to pay the bail on this mothers in captivity and their efforts got Rosayra out and reunited with her boys. It's insane that this is happening right now in America but it's inspiring to see that people are working against it. There is also a section in the back with useful ways for readers to get involved. This book is suggested for anyone who wants to know about migrants coming up from Central America and is a good first hand account for anyone that read American Dirt.
someryarns's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.0
barbaraskalberg's review against another edition
4.0
I wish more parents/children at the border had access to the kind of help she was able to get. I love the way her faith is such an important piece of her story.