A review by birdiesbookbindings
My Side of the River by Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez

4.75

My Side of the River by Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez is a powerful and deeply personal memoir about family, identity, and the reality of growing up between two worlds. She shares her experience as the U.S.-born daughter of Mexican immigrants, navigating life in Arizona after her parents are forced to return to Mexico. One of the most fascinating parts of the book is how she explores the "Whisper Network"—the way undocumented workers rely on word-of-mouth to find jobs—and how social media has become our generation’s version of that same underground network.

One small criticism is the inconsistency with Spanish in the book—sometimes there’s a translation, sometimes there isn’t, which can be a little jarring. But overall, Gutierrez’s story is gripping, honest, and an important look at the struggles and resilience of immigrant families. Definitely worth a read.