Enrique's Journey: the Story of a Boy's Dangerous Odyssey to Reunite with His Mother

Enrique's Journey: The Story of a Boy's Dangerous Odyssey to Reunite with His Mother by Sonia Nazario
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I really am giving this book 3 1/2 stars. It is not an easy book to read, because this is a true story of Enrique, who is left behind in Honduras after his mother makes the dangerous trek to the United States. He is only 5 at the time, but this parting will leave him scarred for the rest of his life. He and his sister are separated, and we learn of his impoverished life in Honduras, as he constantly waits for his mother's return, or for her to send for him. Years go by, Enrique gets in trouble with the law, he becomes addicted to sniffing glue, and still longs for his mother. He makes the dangerous choice of coming to America illegally, to find her. There are actual photos of Enrique and his family. The author, who is a renowned reporter, really gives you both sides of the picture, without judgement. It is an important story for young people to hear. This would be a good nonfiction selection for 7th grade and up.


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