A review by basicbsguide
The Book of Rosy: A Mother's Story of Separation at the Border by Julie Schwietert Collazo, Rosayra Pablo Cruz

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.