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Teen cousins Jaime and Angela must flee Guatemala and the gang members exploiting their families—Angela‘s brother Miguel has already been murdered…a powerful and poignant journey across borders.

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4.5/5 ⭐️ Heartbreaking story of Guatemalan children immigrating to the US in hopes of a better and safer life. This was a middle grade book but I would recommend it to anyone wanting to know about the journey immigrants make from our southern border.

Instead of cages and walls we should have hospitals and refugee centers to help these people who are just asking for help to survive.

#FoodandLit Guatemala 🇬🇹

This was my #doublespin

“I don‘t want to die. But I don‘t want to kill people either. What can I do?” he asked the coffee cup in his hands, like a fortune-telling bruja might do with tea leaves. Neither the coffee, nor his parents, answered him.

I couldn't believe it when you said this was a relatively new author. This was a heart-wrenching story and I found myself tearing up at times. I think this is a great story for older children to help widen their cultural lens. I would highly recommend this story.

This 2016 contemporary fiction novel tells the story of 2 cousins who have to flee their home country because of gang activity. This chapter book was terrifying and even heart-wrenching at times, but then I had to remember that this is the reality for so many people. I think that books like these do a really great job at showing other perspectives to make kids and adults more aware of the world outside of their box. I would highly recommend.

“It didn't take long to get to the third bridge. Instead of waiting around doing nothing until the food van came, Xavi decided to try to find some work at the nearby mercado. His phone, the only thing he had owned, had been picked from his pocket on the train.“

My little brother is from Guatemala so this makes me want to read this entire book. This book has dark and violent events in it but definitely real life realities for some kids out there. I think kids should read this so they can gain an understanding about these kinds of things.

This book is about a story of fear, and bravery, love and loss, and one boy's treacherous and life-changing story. The main character, Jamie, lives in Guatemala where his friend, Miguel, was killed by a powerful gang that is know for violence and drug trafficking, the Alphas. He feels his only chance for a better life is to leave his home and risk everything to live with his older brother in the United States.

“'You leave Tía out of this.' Miguel took a step closer, his eyes glaring at him. Pulguita ignored the threat as he continued showing off the fancy new phone.“

This seems like it would be a very powerful story because it is talking about a big issue we have today in our political world. I think it would be very informative for all children.

The Only Road by Alexandra Diaz is a piece of contemporary realistic fiction. It was published in 2016. It is about Jamie who lives in a small town in Guatemala. His cousin was killed by a a gang that is known for drug trafficking and violence. Jamie and his cousin decide they need to flee to the USA for a better life. I feel that this really portrays current events for children due to our current crisis on the boarder and how it is a big issue.

He and Miguel cut across the small park every day, twice a day, on their way to school and back. At night it was filled with drunks and druggies, but during the day, with everyone else who walked through it, it had always felt safe enough.
Had. Not anymore.

I would put this in a fourth or fifth grade classroom as a book in the library. Honestly, I was very intrigued from the very first page of this book. I would even consider reading this out loud to a class and keep reading the book until it is finished.

This book did a very good job starting very dramatically. Miguel dies almost immediately into the book after we are just introduced to his character. Within 7 pages, a main character dies and we find out about the poverty the children live in. This is the reality for many children that deal with gang activity in their area. In todays world, many children need to watch their back from people in gangs.

“me neither, but we‘re kids so it‘s fine”

I love the light weight and colors used on the cover of the book. It represents purity and understanding of the book.

This book has a serious tone because of the killing that happens. It shows real life terrible things that could happen and share different lifestyles that most kids may not be exposed to.

“it‘s not just a book. It‘s my life.”

This book, although written for children, could be a good read for adults and families to talk about these important issues.

The Only Road is such a profound book that is extremely relevant to today‘s society. Jamie is making huge life decisions that will change his future. This book has action, tough conversations, a heart-breaking reality, and chilling suspense.

Contemporary realistic fiction. This is a wonderful story to have in the classroom, especially if you have students who come from backgrounds like Jaime. This is definitely a book i want to finish and a story I feel is all too important.

The Only Road by Alexandra Diaz, 1960. This book is honest and real and full of heart. You feel the dizzy at the news of Miguel‘s death and the fear of the alphas and the need to live a better life. It‘s real and rich and tells a story that all too many people face or have faced.

#BestOfAugust #AndItsAugust

After Miguel, his cousin & best friend, is killed by a local gang for refusing to join, Jaime and his cousin Angela realize they must leave Guatemala or end up like Miguel. So they embark on a perilous journey to los Estados Unidos. This novel helps to humanize the experiences of those for whom crossing illegally is the only option. The characters' struggles will make you want to keep reading to find out what happens. I definitely recommend it!

#AugustMostAnticipated I picked this book up at my local bookstore the very last day I lived in Emporia. I will be working in an elementary school with a high Latino population, so I want to read as much #OwnVoices Latino books as possible. So, I'll be paying special attention to the Pura Belpre Award-winning & honor books from now on. #AndItsAugust @RealLifeReading

A story about two young kids making their way to the United States illegally through Mexico. It's a great and quick read. It covers a lot of ideas that I hadn't really heard or thought of before. Worth a check out.

Really great read so far, about a twelve year old boy and his seventeen year old cousin escaping Guatemala through Mexico to come to the United States, with all their dangerous routes and challenges along the way and friends that they make. Maybe Trump supporters can read this to see just how much they struggle to make life better for themselves, but then again, they're obviously not the type to read much, I'm sure.