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stellahadz's review against another edition
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
4.5
This is one of the best-written, most powerful memoirs I've ever read. Zamora shares the painful details of what he endured on his journey along with his "second family," the core group of people he traveled with, but he also talks about the jokes they told, the nicknames they called each other, and the food they enjoyed together. This makes the story feel even realer and adds an extra emotional punch to the sad parts; when he talks about wanting to cuddle with his parents, feels shy about changing clothes in front of people, or reminisces about his favorite cartoons, it's a sobering reminder that he's just a kid, and already he's going through things that most people will never have to. The beginning of the story had me completely hooked; I absolutely loved hearing how he spoke about his grandparents and his aunt, the relatives he grew up with in El Salvador. I listened to the audiobook version, which I highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization and Deportation
Moderate: Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Excrement, Vomit, and Classism
simplythegirl's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.5
If you'd like an authentic story about an immigrant's journey crossing the border than this book is it! There are similar books out there that are all just trauma p*rn but Javier Zamora really encompasses the beauty along with the hardship that he endured on his journey. His perspective of a kid also makes the whole thing very heartwrenching cute heartwarming and scary at the same time. There was a sense of community and a sense of loss but also victory when he reaches the USA. It's such a touching and sweet story but also very nerve-wracking and scary because of the stakes. I absolutely loved this book. This is super relatable in terms of culture for me even though I never went through what the author did the culture is what we share so that was really fun. There's also some sweet and light humor that flows pretty nicely. The book definitely explores the importance of family and what it means to be a family. If you are not a spanish speaker I would definitely keep a piece of paper and make a key for the spanish words because they come up a lot. I'm a Spanish speaker so it wasn't something I dealt with but others may. It definitely is worth a read.
there is some cursing, violence, guns, blood, vomit, other bodily fluids, and abuse so read with caution.
there is some cursing, violence, guns, blood, vomit, other bodily fluids, and abuse so read with caution.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Racism, Vomit, War, and Deportation
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Gun violence, Blood, and Alcohol
Minor: Body shaming, Child abuse, and Death
lettuce_read's review against another edition
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Excrement, Vomit, and Deportation
Moderate: Body shaming
synergetic_diary's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Cursing
Minor: Abandonment
internationalreads's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body shaming, Cursing, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Xenophobia, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Deportation