The Only Road
Alexandra Diaz
Paperback
(Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, Oct. 3, 2017)
PURA BELPRĂ HONOR BOOK ALA NOTABLE BOOK âAn important, must-have addition to the growing body of literature with immigrant themes.â âSchool Library Journal (starred review) Twelve-year-old Jaime makes the treacherous and life-changing journey from his home in Guatemala to live with his older brother in the United States in this âpowerful and timelyâ (Booklist, starred review) middle grade novel.Jaime is sitting on his bed drawing when he hears a scream. Instantly, he knows: Miguel, his cousin and best friend, is dead. Everyone in Jaimeâs small town in Guatemala knows someone who has been killed by the Alphas, a powerful gang thatâs known for violence and drug trafficking. Anyone who refuses to work for them is hurt or killedâlike Miguel. With Miguel gone, Jaime fears that he is next. Thereâs only one choice: accompanied by his cousin Ăngela, Jaime must flee his home to live with his older brother in New Mexico. Inspired by true events, The Only Road is an individual story of a boy who feels that leaving his home and risking everything is his only chance for a better life. The story is âtold with heartbreaking honesty,â Booklist raved, and âwill bring readers face to face with the harsh realities immigrants go through in the hope of finding a better, safer life, and it will likely cause them to reflect on what it means to be human.â
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