La Linea
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Product Description
Miguel has dreamed of joining his parents in California since the day they left him behind in Mexico six years, eleven months, and twelve days ago. On the morning of his fifteenth birthday, Miguel’s wait is over.
Or so he thinks. The trip north to the border—la línea—is fraught with dangers. Thieves. Border guards. And a grueling, two-day trek across the desert. It would be hard enough to survive alone. But it’s almost impossible with his tagalong sister in tow.
Their money gone and their hopes nearly dashed, Miguel and his sister have no choice but to hop the infamous mata gente as it races toward the border. As they cling to the roof of the speeding train, they hold onto each other, and to their dreams. But they quickly learn that you can’t always count on dreams—even the ones that come true.
Spotlight Customer Reviews:
Summary:
Atravesar el desierto...al destierro
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Comment:
Ann Jaramillo asks, through the immigration experience of two undocumented Mexican youth, whether the American dream is a nightmare or a fantasy, or some mix of the two. Like Cormac McCarthy, she incorporates Spanish slang words like cuate (amigo), menso (tonto), baboso (slug / jerk) and buey (dude). Her characters face the very real fears of death, abuse, starvation, abandonment, rape, and betrayal. As an ESL teacher, Jaramillo was inspired to compose the novel after learning of the recent histories of her students, and their experiences crossing the border. Her work is well-researched and she attempts to document the undocumented, giving voice to a generation of immigrants who struggle to survive in a dangerous new world that they make their home. An excellent short novel for youth and adults alike.
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Summary:
Fell short
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Comment:
I fear I'm the only person who feels this way, but here's why:
I couldn't put the book down, I wanted to find out what would happen to Miguel and Elena next. I felt a connection with the characters, adored the way the brother and sister duo bonded through their ordeals. But when the book ended, I felt cheated. The story seemed to be building up toward the ending, which never happened, and which I believe Jaramillo tried to resolve in the epilogue, but it fell short.
Also, because of the author's notes, I felt like the book suddenly became a plea to make immigration legal, especially when Jarramillo remarked "the U.S. Border Patrol...has pushed immigrants to cross at increasingly remote, uninhabitated, and dangerous parts of the border." Yes, I learned a lot about what illegal immigrants might go through to get to America by reading this book. But by the end, I felt more like I had watched a documentary told through the lens of a boy escaping the horrors of immigration, or a sermon by Jaramillo, rather than an eye-opening, heart-wrenching novel.
Finally, as a middle school teacher myself, I find the Spanish phrases and sometimes mature topics a little too intense for the recommended 5th grade and up. Other stories that use Spanish text with English, such as Esperanza Rising and Heat translate the words or phrases within the sentence or the next one. This one does not. It doesn't affect me, I still felt Jaramillo was able to tell her story maintaining the authenticity of Mexican culture, but I fear several of my students will get bogged down with the Spanish phrases. I would say this should be recommended for 7th or 8th grade and up.
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Summary:
A Fascinating and Gripping Look at Undocumented Immigration from a New Perepective
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Comment:
Two young peole risk their lives to reunite their family, and in the process learn the strength and depth of their own resilience, their love for each other, and their place in the world.
An easy read, a simple story, about 8th grade level, through the eyes of two youngsters, without preaching. Charming and enlightening. I loved it!
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Summary:
Insightful look at immigrants
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Comment:
The author has written a book that is both fast paced and heartbreaking as it tells the story of two young people who take the risk of illegally crossing the border. Leaving their grandma's Mexican home to make the dangerous journey north to be reunited with their parents, the two experience the fear and danger that any illegal immigrant must feel. The characters that they meet and the experiences that they have are told in a manner that you do not want to put this book down. You root for them as they experience fear, hunger, thirst and exhaustion. This was a real eye opener for me. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who works with immigrants. A great selection for school libraries.
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Summary:
Exciting story, important topic
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Comment:
La Linea is a real page-turner... This vivid telling of the perilous events faced by Mexican children trying to reach the United States every day will at once fascinate, horrify, and keep you on your toes. The exciting plot is backed up by complex characters to whom readers will instantly relate. Miguel and Elena are classic young teens, loving and seeking approcal from their elders even as they struggle to assert their individuality. Jaramillo has created a book that will be devoured by young adults and older readers alike, particularly those with a blossoming interest in multicultural issues or human rights.
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