Immigration stories ...

Immigration has been a hot topic lately, both in the news and with new literature. Here are several related titles:

THE HOUSE OF BROKEN ANGELS by Luis Alberto Urrea (Pulitzer Prize nominated author) is a work of fiction based loosely on events experienced by Urrea’s own family. The novel is set in San Diego and starts slowly, but has some fabulous reviews and could probably work for Junior Theme with a determined student. The main character, Big Angel, is dying and his family throws a huge birthday party on the same weekend that they bury his mother. There is quite a bit of introspection on what it means to be an immigrant – “we are Mexi-cans, not Mexi-can’ts” – and on intergenerational relationships. Wife Perla as well as children Minnie, Lalo, and Yndio feature in this family story filled with complex expectations and connections. One day, speaking as a Mexican father, Big Angel says, "All we do, mija, is love. Love is the answer. Nothing stops it. Not borders. Not death." 

THE HOUSE OF BROKEN ANGELS received a starred review from Kirkus and Publishers Weekly. Our copy will soon be available.

STRANGER by Jorge Ramos, non-fiction and subtitled “The Challenge of a Latino Immigrant in the Trump Era,” makes it readily obvious where the author stands despite having lived in the United States for more than 35 years. An Emmy-award winning journalist, Ramos points out, “Almost all of us here are either immigrants or the descendants of foreigners, and that has always helped us to cross borders and exceed the limits of what we thought was possible.” This work draws on statistics and points out inconsistencies in policy (asking how the deportation of 11 million people would actually work and noting that building an expensive wall does not begin to address the 40 percent of undocumented people who either come by plane or overstay their visas). Ramos also provides firsthand accounts of his encounters with Trump during press conferences and describes his own profession, saying “a journalist’s primary social function is to question those in power.” Ramos explains that he views himself as a public servant and that he agrees with the principle of objectivity in journalism, but argues that does not mean that a journalist should always remain neutral since neutrality sometimes runs counter to the truth itself, quoting Elie Wiesel, “Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim.” STRANGER is also available en Espanol: Stranger: el desafio de un inmigrante latino an la era de Trump and was recommended for teens by Booklist due to “Ramos’ direct and personal style, clear approach to urgent issues, and reflections on his youth.”

 

Turning again to new fiction, AMERICA IS NOT THE HEART by Elaine Castillo is a debut novel that received starred reviews from Kirkus and Publishers Weekly. However, I found a sadness mired here, too, and I am honestly not sure that it will hold our students’ interest due in part to the several languages and unusual tenses employed. Castillo begins the story in the Philippines and describes life for a young girl and eventual nurse trainee named Pacita/Paz, writing in second tense (e.g., “You think about ignoring him, … You should ignore him, … You don’t know yet ….”). . Next, the American Dream is explored as Castillo shifts the story to California when former political prisoner Hero arrives to stay with her uncle Pol, his now wife Paz and their young daughter, Roni.   

Perhaps try this challenging, new title with adult book groups; it offers potential for discussion and interpretation, plus perceptive observations: “Baggage means no matter how far you go, no matter how many times you immigrate, there are countries in you you’ll never leave.”