The Crossroads

(Paperback, Reprint)

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Winner of the International Latino Book Award

An incredibly heartfelt depiction of immigrants and refugees in a land full of uncertainty. Kirkus Reviews
Insightful, realistic picture...especially important reading for todays children. Booklist
Fans of The Only Road will appreciate...while teachers and librarians may find the text useful to counter unsubstantiated myths about Central Americans fleeing to the US. School Library Journal

Jaime and ngela discover what it means to be living as undocumented immigrants in the United States in this timely sequel to the Pura Belpr Honor Book The Only Road.

After crossing Mexico into the United States, Jaime Rivera thinks the worst is over. Starting a new school cant be that bad. Except it is, and not just because he can barely speak English. While his cousin ngela fits in quickly, with new friends and after-school activities, Jaime struggles with even the idea of calling this strange place home. His real home is with his parents, abuela, and the rest of the family; not here where cacti and cattle outnumber people, where he can no longer be himselfa boy from Guatemala.

When bad news arrives from his parents back home, feelings of helplessness and guilt gnaw at Jaime. Gang violence in Guatemala means he cant return home, but hes not sure if he wants to stay either. The US is not the great place everyone said it would be, especially if youre sin papelesundocumentedlike Jaime. When things look bleak, hope arrives from unexpected places: a quiet boy on the bus, a music teacher, an old ranch hand. With his sketchbook always close by, Jaime uses his drawings to show what it means to be a true citizen.

Powerful and moving, this touching sequel to The Only Road explores overcoming homesickness, finding ways to connect despite a language barrier, and discovering what it means to start over in a new place that alternates between being wonderful and completely unwelcoming.

Author Bio

Alexandra Diaz is the author ofThe Only Road,The Crossroads,Santiagos Road Home, andFarewell Cuba, Mi Isla.The Only Roadwas a Pura Belpr Honor Book and won the Amricas Award for Childrens and Young Adult Literature, as well as numerous other accolades.Santiagos Road Homewas an International Latino Book Award gold medalist and an ALA Notable Childrens Book. Alexandra is the daughter of Cuban refugees and lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, but got her masters in writing for young people at Bath Spa University in England. A native Spanish speaker, Alexandra now teaches creative writing to adults and teens. Visit her at Alexandra-Diaz.com.