RGG: Important and real! Wonder about what has changed since the 2018-19 publication. A few clunky bits maybe due to the adaptation.

Literary Merit: Okay
Characterization: Okay
Recommend: Yes
Reading Level: early to middle high school

Review: This book seemed very disjointed to me. It flipped between past and present. But the events didn't seem to flow very well, It was interesting to read about life in Mexico and the process of crossing the border. It was informative, but I never felt connected to the characters. I did fell very sypathetic towards what the boys went through and what the families go through. I do recommended this book, because it highlighs the struggle of what people have to go through. ( )

The theme of this book is family relationships are very important and special to have. This book is about identical twins fleeing from El Salvador to the United States. The true story follows the seventeen year old boys and their journey over the Rio Grande with a coyote (a person hired to get people across to the U.S.). The brothers go through imigration authorities to seek asylum. While waiting to be granted asylum, they live with their 24 year old brother in Oakland, CA. The plot continues with the boys at school, going through learning English, girls, and coping with the trauma. I personally liked this book. I found it very interesting to be put in the shoes of an immigrant that was fleeing. It made me really feel for the other people that are stuck with gang problems in their home country. I also thought it was very sad for 17 year old boys to experience what they experienced just to feel safe in their everyday lives. Curricular connections would include anything about immigration. Hispanic/Latino heritage could also be something that is connected to this story. ( )