Book Blurb {Enrique's Journey}

Enrique's Journey

By: Sonia Nazario

Goodness gracious! Enrique's Journey was .... a lot. I can't even find the words to adequately describe it.  If you want more information or follow up on the family, check out this site: http://enriquesjourney.com/

Author and journalist Sonia Nazario was moved when she heard of the heroic stories that many Latino teenagers take to seek their mothers in the United States.  She decided to follow and interview Enrique closely through his journey from Hondoras to USA. The book is a true story and account of Enrique's journey to be with his mom, Lourdes.

Although the book was very eye opening, my only complaint was that the repetitive nature of the writing was unnecessary and exhausting to read.  I understand that Sonia was trying to make a point for readers to grasp the harsh dangers that these children face (beating, robbed, raped, starving conditions, etc...) but by the 30th time it was stated in the same manner, she wasn't painting a bigger picture, but tracing over the same line... over and over again.

Enrique's story was very informative to the Central American culture. From drug use, young love, mothers leaving, harsh living conditions and helped me understand that Central American Hispanics are not welcomed in Mexico (what an assumption that I had wrong). 

The book also helped walk through the reasons, logic, and problems of oppression within political systems. Gang violence alone would make me want to flee my country as well.

I feel like anyone who is in favor of building a border, or wants to send every immigrant "back to where they come from" should read this book; hoping that it would soften their heart.

Overall, a great read and appreciate the insight to a terrible situation.  Modern day underground railroad.

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After I posted this blog I realized I had a specific form to fill out, so I'm just going to post that here too! It is a checklist so I am going to use it as such.

Title: Enrique's Journey

Author/Illutrator: Sonia Nazario

Does the story:

Relate to children’s interests? ✅ maybe interest those who have similar experiences or hear of stories in their families. 
Provide various conflicts for readers to explore? ✅ would you risk your life to see your mother? 
Provide age-appropriate content? ✅ this book is the adapted for young people - I wonder how much different or detailed the original is.
Encourage discussions/conversations? ✅
Distort history? I don't think so....
Comments/Insights: See above.... could be shortened/more direct.  I got lost in some areas as it jumped back and forth. Written by a journalist (short columns, pushed together...)

Do the characters:

Represent a variety of people within cultural groups, age ranges and sizes and disabilities? 
Are the “good” characters a reflection of a variety of backgrounds? ✅
Include females as well as males in leadership and/or non-traditional roles? ✅
Represent diverse people at the same “level” of the white characters?
Are all characters depicted realistically and genuinely? ✅
Tend to be depicted as stereotypical? I feel like there is a stereotypical state being discussed through the narrative. 
Comments/Insights: 

Does the theme:

Offer readers a variety of things to think about, question, and consider? ✅
Explore, instead of preach, values? ✅
Include lessons from which readers can learn? ✅
Tell the story of a diverse population in a condescending manner, whether contemporary or in the past? ✅
Comments/Insights: It would most definitely provide a discussion!

Does the story’s setting:

Reflect a variety of places and spaces? ✅✅✅
Represent urban, suburban, and rural settings realistically? in unlivable conditions.
Represent cultural settings realistically?  I think so. 
Comments/Insights:

Do the story illustrations (if there are any): 
Include representation of diverse populations?
Contain diversity represented within cultural groups?
Include characters depicted realistically and genuinely?
Avoid reinforcing societal stereotypes?
Comments/Insights: not present

Book as a Whole 

Would you be embarrassed to read the book to children of a different culture, and their parents?
What is the author’s background for writing the book? Their first book, inspired by his own family I believe. 
What is the context of the book?

Comments/Insights:

Personal Insights
Your personal notes/insights about the book not covered in the previous sections: See blog!