Age: High School+
Mental Health: Trauma
Tough Issues:

Spoiler

Forced separation of children and mother, death of father, death of child character, mentions of rape

I mean...hot damn. This book is unafraid to unleash every terrifying, horrendous, yet real scenario that an undocumented immigrant can face against a tyrannical government and its brainwashed citizens. Warning: this book will be triggering to teens (and adults) that have either experienced the US immigration system first hand or know family members that have. It is raw and really hard to read about these scenarios happening to two children on the run. As a white, documented reader--that's the point: to be a warning and to shed light on current realities.

The writing was fast-paced, sometimes losing the development of side characters, but Vali is incredibly written and details a teen girl's journey through trauma that is too heavy a burden for anyone to shoulder.

An essential read for people that are not personally involved in US immigration; For those that are, tread lightly. Best read in a group setting or with a friend to help unpack the horrors written throughout.