
Reach for this book when your child is beginning to question the infallibility of the adults in their lives or is struggling with the heavy secret of a family member's mistakes. Written as a series of diary entries, it follows Julia as her family flees the violence of Juarez for a new life in El Paso. Beyond the immigration narrative, this is a deeply moving exploration of a young girl realizing that her father's 'business' is actually criminal, and her mother's love is complicated by enabling behavior. It is a vital resource for middle schoolers navigating the loss of childhood innocence, the weight of family loyalty, and the resilience required to build a sense of self in a new country. It validates the confusing mix of love and shame that comes with a troubled home life.
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Sign in to write a reviewThemes of forced displacement, loss of home, and the death of pets.
The book deals with organized crime, systemic violence, and parental betrayal. The approach is direct but age-appropriate, filtered through the observant but initially naive lens of a child. The resolution is realistic and bittersweet: the family is safe from immediate physical danger, but the emotional scars and the reality of the father's character remain.
A 12-year-old who feels like they are keeping 'adult' secrets or a child who has experienced a major move and feels the grief of leaving their past self behind.
Parents should be aware of the references to Juarez's 'disappeared' women and the father's criminal ties. It is best read alongside the child or with a plan to discuss the difference between 'keeping a secret' and 'carrying a burden.' A parent might notice their child becoming unusually withdrawn, hiding a personal journal, or expressing disillusionment with family rules after a period of domestic instability.
Younger readers (10-11) will focus on the physical move and the loss of Julia's pets and toys. Older readers (13-14) will more acutely feel the sting of the father's moral ambiguity and the mother's difficult choices.
Unlike many immigration stories that focus solely on the 'dream' or the journey, this verse novel focuses on the internal collapse of a child's world when the person supposed to protect them is the one causing the danger.
Julia is a young girl living in Juarez, Mexico, during a time of extreme cartel violence. Her life is upended when her family must suddenly move to El Paso, Texas. Through her private journal, she documents the loss of her belongings, her friends, and eventually, her idealized image of her father as she realizes his involvement in illegal activities.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.