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pwbalto's review
5.0
I’m calling this THE all-school (all church, all city, etc) read of the year. True, wrenching stories of teenagers enduring fear, exhaustion, uncertainty, inhumanity, and sometimes violence as they make their way north to a better life.
charireads's review
2.0
I received a free copy of this book from #netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book is a collection of stories written by teens who have traveled from their home countries, seeking assylum in the United States. I really wanted to like this book, however, the stories didn't connect with me.
emeelee's review against another edition
3.0
A quick and easy read about an important and horrifying subject. The author interviewed teens from Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala who have attempted the trek to the United States and transforms their true experiences into short stories. The stories aren't always comprehensive, sometimes featuring just a small snippet of the long journey. Perhaps due to the translation, most of the stories lacked a certain emotional component for me, leaving me feeling disconnected. Still, The Other Side covers a timely and important topic that is well worth the read, especially for how short a time it takes to do so.
TW: violence, gang violence, homophobia, rape/sexual assault, child imprisonment
Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with this eARC via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review!
TW: violence, gang violence, homophobia, rape/sexual assault, child imprisonment
Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with this eARC via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review!
momsplans's review
3.0
While I appreciate the content of this book and the raw intensity of it, I didn't care for the organization. It felt too jumpy for me, and I had a hard time following it. For the few children who have two chapters, I would have loved to have seen those chapters one right after the other rather than a few chapters later.
Also, I'd like more follow up about how the kids are doing now.
Also, I'd like more follow up about how the kids are doing now.
thechronicknitter's review against another edition
4.0
I like it for what it is but I wish there was more as I didn't feel like I got a complete picture of everyone and that there is so much to say about their stories.
libscote's review
4.0
I thought this was an excellent introduction for teens about the experiences that cause people to cross the border illegally. Each little look illustrates something slightly different, and each will break your heart.
readingwithmrscastle's review
2.0
Just finished this one and I’m sad to say I’m disappointed. I wanted to love this book-these true, heartbreaking, stories of risk, hope, survival....but I just could not. The stories all end abruptly. The stories were composed through interviews however, whether because of the way the author wrote them or the translation they come across as first person narratives. The structure is poor, as is the translation. On a positive note, the author includes an “updated glance” at the kids who the stories are about. I’d give this one ⭐️⭐️.5 and that’s generous and based on the courage these kids have had through everything they’ve gone through. I would have also liked to see the profits used to help kids through the immigration system and to aid in their trips to America so they don’t have to rely on illegal means.
cedarwishes's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
gileslibrarian6's review
5.0
True stories of Central American teenagers crossing the border to escape their circumstances-some inspiring, all sad. Readers get a glimpse of the journey’s hardships through freezer cells, river crossings, and more. Really makes you feel for these teens.