A review by bbz
The Secret Side of Empty by Maria E. Andreu

4.0

3.5 stars. Interesting concept. I've never encountered a YA book that dealt with issues of immigration, so I appreciate this. I think Andreu captured the immigrant experience, whether undocumented or not, quite well. I especially liked the way she captured the identity of children of immigrants and their feelings on statehood. 3.5/5 because the book struggled at times. Andreu tried to pick up too many sub plots so as to make M.T. a more rounded character, or perhaps to not make this solely an immigration story. The subplots didn't work. They were not explored, abandoned halfway or reintroduced at awkward moments for the sake it. Despite that, it's an interesting story on immigration, and would recommend on that alone.