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vsobaka05's review against another edition
5.0
This book should be a must read for every American. It highlights the cruelty of the current immigration policies and the way immigrants are treated, and does so in a way that both gently and forcefully causes readers to consider their own views on the issue. Even if someone is supportive of strong immigration policies, this book should convince them that at least the treatment of detained immigrants is unacceptable. It is a quick but powerful read.
basicbsguide's review against another edition
4.0
After reading American Dirt in December I purposely sought out (with the help of MANY others) #ownvoices experiences with immigration. Back in January I read Tell Me How It Ends by Valeria Luiselli. This book was in essay form and gave us a look inside the experience of undocumented Latin-American children. The Book of Rosy is a mother’s story of separation at the border. Rosayra Pablo Cruz is a mother who decided to seek asylum in the U.S. with two of her children and upon doing so was detained while her children were sent off elsewhere. The book is divided into a few sections and I really found myself immersed in Rosy’s journey. She made the decision not once but twice to leave a violent life in Guatemala behind with young children and relied heavily on her faith. I don’t talk a lot about my faith on bookstagram and maybe because I feel like it’s a personal journey for us. Nonetheless, I too have felt times in my life where I have given it all up to God and I have seen the light shine through the darkness. Rosy’s constant faith and strength is admirable.
While I found Julie Collazo (founder of Immigrant Families Together) sections interesting, I wanted more of Rosy’s story. It felt a little disconnected to drop Julie into the mix.
I recommend you take the time to read #ownvoices stories of immigration, including this one. This personal and deeply affecting story is a necessary one.
While I found Julie Collazo (founder of Immigrant Families Together) sections interesting, I wanted more of Rosy’s story. It felt a little disconnected to drop Julie into the mix.
I recommend you take the time to read #ownvoices stories of immigration, including this one. This personal and deeply affecting story is a necessary one.
mariah_wika's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
4.25
I listened to this as an audiobook in Spanish, and it was just a gutting story of a mother separated from her children at the border. This era in our country's history is a brutal wound that still hangs open. I'm grateful to have listened to Rosy's story in her own words and so relieved she and her little ones are okay.
jtnassraway's review against another edition
3.0
Overall, a story I am grateful to have read. However, a heavy focus on religion seemed to downplay the traumatic experiences of Rosy during her two treks to the US & her detainment & the court hearings that followed. Rosy’s story is one of way too many, but it feels glossed over, void of true emotions, written by both writers in a heartbreaking, matter of fact way.
The back & forth narration between Rosy & Julie, the director of Immigrant Families Together & co-writer, made it seem less genuine than I’d hoped. Both women’s writing is of the same voice, same writing style, same use of details, leading to the inauthentic feeling I have upon finishing it. The book felt like Julie’s & that Rosy was there for effect, when in fact, this is entirely Rosy’s story to tell. The overuse of highlighting Immigrant Families Together also feels forced. Wonderful organization, it seems, but the book is not about that.
Rosy’s story is one of incredible bravery, strength, & fortitude. It deserves all of these pages & more. It actually deserves its very own book—one where Rosy is 100% the owner & storyteller. The story does not belong to the American savior. It belongs entirely to the dreamer. This book does not represent that.
The back & forth narration between Rosy & Julie, the director of Immigrant Families Together & co-writer, made it seem less genuine than I’d hoped. Both women’s writing is of the same voice, same writing style, same use of details, leading to the inauthentic feeling I have upon finishing it. The book felt like Julie’s & that Rosy was there for effect, when in fact, this is entirely Rosy’s story to tell. The overuse of highlighting Immigrant Families Together also feels forced. Wonderful organization, it seems, but the book is not about that.
Rosy’s story is one of incredible bravery, strength, & fortitude. It deserves all of these pages & more. It actually deserves its very own book—one where Rosy is 100% the owner & storyteller. The story does not belong to the American savior. It belongs entirely to the dreamer. This book does not represent that.
josie_booklover's review against another edition
5.0
This book is about how the immigration changes made in 2018 negatively affected many families and how immigrant families together started.
The authors told Rosarya’s story in a way that made it relatable and made it understandable. I cried while reading this book because it yanked at my heart strings as a mother. It made me want to know what I could do to help the families in the situation. It made me question humanity because how can we still live in a society where people are treated less then. Above all, it highlighted the strength of woman. It also made the point that some family is blood and the rest is chosen. I would 100% recommend this book. I don’t think you would regret reading it. I know I don’t!
The authors told Rosarya’s story in a way that made it relatable and made it understandable. I cried while reading this book because it yanked at my heart strings as a mother. It made me want to know what I could do to help the families in the situation. It made me question humanity because how can we still live in a society where people are treated less then. Above all, it highlighted the strength of woman. It also made the point that some family is blood and the rest is chosen. I would 100% recommend this book. I don’t think you would regret reading it. I know I don’t!
jilliebeanreads's review against another edition
3.0
It was both fascinating and painful to read Rosayra Pablo Cruz's detailed account of her escape from Guatemala to the U.S. In the Book of Rosy, we witnessed her two border crossing journeys, the second of which resulted in her (and her two sons) being detained, separately, in Arizona.
Rosy explains what life was like in her desire to leave her home country and the harrowing journey across the border. They faced starvation, dehydration, exhaustion and humiliation. But they knew their lives would be better "up North."
Once captured and detained by Homeland Security, we see what really happens behind the scenes of the detention center. We also see how Rosy meets an immigration attorney and is aided by Julie Schwietert Collazo, founder of Immigrant Families Together, the grassroots organization that reunites mothers and children.
Oddly, toward the end of the book, we hear from Julie and get her side of the story. While her story was well written, it interrupted the flow and I'm not sure it added much.
Overall, this book was interesting and I'm glad I read it, but I'm not sure I would recommend it to friends. I much preferred American Dirt, even though it is fiction. Because this topic interests me, I will be on the lookout for more content from "ownvoices" authors.
I appreciate the opportunity to receive a copy from NetGalley and Harper One. I also listened to the audiobook version once it was published.
Rosy explains what life was like in her desire to leave her home country and the harrowing journey across the border. They faced starvation, dehydration, exhaustion and humiliation. But they knew their lives would be better "up North."
Once captured and detained by Homeland Security, we see what really happens behind the scenes of the detention center. We also see how Rosy meets an immigration attorney and is aided by Julie Schwietert Collazo, founder of Immigrant Families Together, the grassroots organization that reunites mothers and children.
Oddly, toward the end of the book, we hear from Julie and get her side of the story. While her story was well written, it interrupted the flow and I'm not sure it added much.
Overall, this book was interesting and I'm glad I read it, but I'm not sure I would recommend it to friends. I much preferred American Dirt, even though it is fiction. Because this topic interests me, I will be on the lookout for more content from "ownvoices" authors.
I appreciate the opportunity to receive a copy from NetGalley and Harper One. I also listened to the audiobook version once it was published.