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lindzt18's review against another edition
5.0
Must read for a personal account of a mother’s separation from her children at the border and rebuilding her life in America, and the important work of volunteers to support mothers like Rosy.
girlmama_and_books's review against another edition
5.0
“Among the many things that people don't understand about migration is this: No one wants to leave the people they love. Most people don't want to leave the land where they were born, or the soil where their umbilical cord was buried. If they believed that staying would ensure survival, they would never set off on such a treacherous journey.”
Incredible story of a woman seeking asylum in the United States and her horrifying and inhumane experience, along with a glimpse of the policies that are in place.
This is a powerful and heartbreaking narrative... and everyone should be adding this to their reading lists. I’m not
Incredible story of a woman seeking asylum in the United States and her horrifying and inhumane experience, along with a glimpse of the policies that are in place.
This is a powerful and heartbreaking narrative... and everyone should be adding this to their reading lists. I’m not
she_reads_alot's review against another edition
5.0
“Among the many things that people don't understand about migration is this: No one wants to leave the people they love. Most people don't want to leave the land where they were born, or the soil where their umbilical cord was buried. If they believed that staying would ensure survival, they would never set off on such a treacherous journey.”
Gut-wrenching .
I could not imagine having my husband murdered and getting shot myself, leaving my homeland with only 2/4 children, and then being locked in a cage (separated from my two sons) once I crossed the border into America.
Rozara Pablo Cruz is one strong women. She never lost faith that she would be freed from a border patrol facility and reunited with her children.
This story made me so emotional. We have all seen the images of these camps, read about the diseases circulating, the over crowding, and the separations---but reading a first-hand account is something that I felt like I needed to do.
How can I help ??
1. READ- Learn more about the history of immigration and migrants, borders, and the complicated relationship with the US and other countries.
2. BE POLITICALLY AWARE AND ACTIVE- Vote, especially in local elections.
3. USE THE POWER OF THE PURSE- www.goodsuniteus.com evaluates and scores companies based on their political donations, allowing you to direct your dollars in a way that's aligned with your own beliefs.
4. VOLUNTEER- check out www.teambrownsville.org for ways to help asylum seekers
5. GET CRAFTY- www.welcomeblanket.org provide literal and symbolic comfort and warmth
Gut-wrenching .
I could not imagine having my husband murdered and getting shot myself, leaving my homeland with only 2/4 children, and then being locked in a cage (separated from my two sons) once I crossed the border into America.
Rozara Pablo Cruz is one strong women. She never lost faith that she would be freed from a border patrol facility and reunited with her children.
This story made me so emotional. We have all seen the images of these camps, read about the diseases circulating, the over crowding, and the separations---but reading a first-hand account is something that I felt like I needed to do.
How can I help ??
1. READ- Learn more about the history of immigration and migrants, borders, and the complicated relationship with the US and other countries.
2. BE POLITICALLY AWARE AND ACTIVE- Vote, especially in local elections.
3. USE THE POWER OF THE PURSE- www.goodsuniteus.com evaluates and scores companies based on their political donations, allowing you to direct your dollars in a way that's aligned with your own beliefs.
4. VOLUNTEER- check out www.teambrownsville.org for ways to help asylum seekers
5. GET CRAFTY- www.welcomeblanket.org provide literal and symbolic comfort and warmth
reefofchaos's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Violence, and Xenophobia
juliet1102's review against another edition
4.0
We are so separate from what's happening in our world. I appreciated this book's first-hand account of why a woman would immigrate to the US, the process and the struggles and the overall reality of immigrate lives. I also appreciated the inside look at what a bunch of pissed off women can accomplish when they get together behind a cause.
lindsrose's review against another edition
The perspective of undocumented immigrants we have in America is so skewed by the government, and this is a fascinating look at what it’s really like when fleeing your country is your only option for survival. It brings new perspective to what’s often viewed as a political issue that people know so little about. In reality, it’s not about politics, it’s about humanity, and I’m grateful that Rosy shared her story to shine light on that.
beccabennett's review against another edition
3.0
This dual memoir tells the story of Rosayra, an asylum seeker from Guatemala, who is detained at the border and forcibly separated from her sons by ICE. Julie, an American mother and founder of the nonprofit Immigrant Families Together, sympathizes with Rosy’s familial tragedy. Together, these two women provide an intimate, compassionate look at the horrifying effects of Trump’s “zero tolerance” immigration policy.
I appreciated that this book was a fairly current look at U.S. immigration policy, but I’m not sure this book was the best medium. While I agree with the book’s agenda (obviously, it is very biased), I thought the writing so flat and choppy, especially the parts from Rosy’s point of view. I feel terrible for thinking that, but I felt the same reading the memoir “The Sun Does Shine,” by a falsely accused death-row inmate. I would find a documentary or narrative nonfiction by a seasoned journalist (like “Enrique’s Journey,” but more current) to be more affecting and engaging on this issue.
That said, I was quite moved by Julie and many Americans’ ongoing endeavors to make refugees like Rosy and her family feel safe and provided for. If anything, in lieu of national policy changes, humanitarian efforts must be long-term, consistent, and deeply personal. I think it was a better primer on effective grassroots efforts than it was on immigration.
I appreciated that this book was a fairly current look at U.S. immigration policy, but I’m not sure this book was the best medium. While I agree with the book’s agenda (obviously, it is very biased), I thought the writing so flat and choppy, especially the parts from Rosy’s point of view. I feel terrible for thinking that, but I felt the same reading the memoir “The Sun Does Shine,” by a falsely accused death-row inmate. I would find a documentary or narrative nonfiction by a seasoned journalist (like “Enrique’s Journey,” but more current) to be more affecting and engaging on this issue.
That said, I was quite moved by Julie and many Americans’ ongoing endeavors to make refugees like Rosy and her family feel safe and provided for. If anything, in lieu of national policy changes, humanitarian efforts must be long-term, consistent, and deeply personal. I think it was a better primer on effective grassroots efforts than it was on immigration.
booknrrd's review against another edition
4.0
The Book of Rosy is the story of a Guatemalan mother's journey to the US and her separation from her sons at the border. In Guatemala, her husband had been killed, she herself had been shot several times, and her oldest son was being threatened by gangs. This is her story, and also there are a few sections by a New York woman who was moved by what she saw on the news to create a fund to bail migrant women out of jail so that they could be reunited with their children. She was able to help a lot of women including Rosayra.
I found Julie's sections a little less compelling. In fact, the first time one happened it was pretty jarring to me. This is a large part of why the book only received 4 stars. It's not that I don't think her work isn't important; it just didn't seem to fit as well as it could have.
I found Julie's sections a little less compelling. In fact, the first time one happened it was pretty jarring to me. This is a large part of why the book only received 4 stars. It's not that I don't think her work isn't important; it just didn't seem to fit as well as it could have.
jamiebethreads's review against another edition
5.0
Everyone needs to read this book— it’s really that simple. This is an incredibly moving, heartbreaking, and ultimately uplifting story of a mother who sacrifices everything to give her children the opportunity for a better life in America, only to be forcibly removed from her children at the border and held in an ICE detention center.
This book made me feel every single emotion possible. It also reminded me of why volunteering and staying politically engaged is so critical— we cannot allow ourselves to become desensitized to the atrocities being committed against our fellow humans, at a time in American history when 500+ children have yet to be reunited with their parents as a result of the Trump administration’s 2018 zero-tolerance policy at the border. Let me say it again, louder for those in the back: this policy was WRONG. Children need to be with their parents, period. Thankfully, there are amazing organizations such as Immigrant Families Together, who do absolutely everything in their power to raise funds to pay bonds, legal fees, transportation, and seek housing for the mothers that are held, ultimately advocating on their behalf for them to be released and reunited with their children. However, it is shameful that we have even gotten to this point. I will be paying extremely close attention to how this horrific nightmare of a policy is resolved. Families belong together.
A million stars for this book— please read Own Voices books such as this that are real depictions of immigration and border patrol, rather than white authors’ fabricated versions of these events (*ahem, Americ*n D*rt)
This book made me feel every single emotion possible. It also reminded me of why volunteering and staying politically engaged is so critical— we cannot allow ourselves to become desensitized to the atrocities being committed against our fellow humans, at a time in American history when 500+ children have yet to be reunited with their parents as a result of the Trump administration’s 2018 zero-tolerance policy at the border. Let me say it again, louder for those in the back: this policy was WRONG. Children need to be with their parents, period. Thankfully, there are amazing organizations such as Immigrant Families Together, who do absolutely everything in their power to raise funds to pay bonds, legal fees, transportation, and seek housing for the mothers that are held, ultimately advocating on their behalf for them to be released and reunited with their children. However, it is shameful that we have even gotten to this point. I will be paying extremely close attention to how this horrific nightmare of a policy is resolved. Families belong together.
A million stars for this book— please read Own Voices books such as this that are real depictions of immigration and border patrol, rather than white authors’ fabricated versions of these events (*ahem, Americ*n D*rt)
betta's review against another edition
5.0
100 STARS! <3
This book is so important and a must read!
It just came out June 2nd, so please go grab yourself a copy and read about Rosayra’s story about immigrating from Guatemala to the United States with her children and being separated from them at the boarder.
Thank you Netgalley and HarperOne for a free galley copy.
I am so glad I requested this book and got accepted to read it.
Since the first chapter, I was immediately hooked and wanted to read more about Rosayra’s journey.
I am so in love with this book, with Rosayra’s story and experience of leaving her country, hoping for a better future for herself and her children in the United States, being separated for her children, praying to God every night to be reunited with them, her journey back to them, and her will to help the other mothers in the detention centers.
So in love with Julie’s work in helping immigrant families.
The book is divided into three parts.
With each part we understand more about Rosayra's and her children's journey to the United States. Julie's experience with helping mothers who were separated from their children at the border by creating the Immigrant Families Together, raising money for families with the help of so many, and coming into Rosayra’s life. The reader listens to Rosayra's voice, listens to an immigrant's story.
I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars on here (in my mind it is).
I loved how it provided us with recommended reading and ways to help. I will make sure to donate, read all the books recommended at the end of the book. (I will list them on my goodreads and add them to my tbr right away. I will also list the books and website to donate on my Instagram post as soon as I can.)
I will never forget about Rosayra’s story and will reread this book many times in the future.
I am mad, sad, and so scared for these families.
We need to keep changing this system and helping others have a better life.
We can all do this together, one action at a time.
Thank you so much Rosayra for writing this book and for Julie for doing so much for immigrant mothers and families.
***If you've read American Dirt go read this book! Read a true story about an immigrant's woman and her children. If you haven't read it, please read this book instead.***
Off to buy the physical copy now, ok bye:)
(you need to do so too!)
This book is so important and a must read!
It just came out June 2nd, so please go grab yourself a copy and read about Rosayra’s story about immigrating from Guatemala to the United States with her children and being separated from them at the boarder.
Thank you Netgalley and HarperOne for a free galley copy.
I am so glad I requested this book and got accepted to read it.
Since the first chapter, I was immediately hooked and wanted to read more about Rosayra’s journey.
I am so in love with this book, with Rosayra’s story and experience of leaving her country, hoping for a better future for herself and her children in the United States, being separated for her children, praying to God every night to be reunited with them, her journey back to them, and her will to help the other mothers in the detention centers.
So in love with Julie’s work in helping immigrant families.
The book is divided into three parts.
With each part we understand more about Rosayra's and her children's journey to the United States. Julie's experience with helping mothers who were separated from their children at the border by creating the Immigrant Families Together, raising money for families with the help of so many, and coming into Rosayra’s life. The reader listens to Rosayra's voice, listens to an immigrant's story.
I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars on here (in my mind it is).
I loved how it provided us with recommended reading and ways to help. I will make sure to donate, read all the books recommended at the end of the book. (I will list them on my goodreads and add them to my tbr right away. I will also list the books and website to donate on my Instagram post as soon as I can.)
I will never forget about Rosayra’s story and will reread this book many times in the future.
I am mad, sad, and so scared for these families.
We need to keep changing this system and helping others have a better life.
We can all do this together, one action at a time.
Thank you so much Rosayra for writing this book and for Julie for doing so much for immigrant mothers and families.
***If you've read American Dirt go read this book! Read a true story about an immigrant's woman and her children. If you haven't read it, please read this book instead.***
Off to buy the physical copy now, ok bye:)
(you need to do so too!)