If I Tell You the Truth by Jasmin Kaur

If I Tell You the Truth by Jasmin Kaur
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, I loved Kiran and Sahaara's voices as they relate their stories in prose, poetry and illustrations! The author, Jasmin Kaur weaves an all to real plot about being undocumented, sexual assault, fear, and deep seated anxiety. Kiran is Sahaara's mom, an undocumented immigrant. She never speaks of what happened to her daughter, but the reader knows Kiran was raped, thrown away by her mother who labels her a liar, and arrives in Canada to begin college. Staying with her aunt, Kiran reveals to her mother and aunt, she is pregnant. Her aunt will not help her and go against the Punjabi family rules and Kiran's awful mother does not believe her and blames her. Kiran wants to keep the baby and her mother orders her to get an abortion. Kiran wants something of her own, not to be judged as less than and with this in mind, Kiran confides in her friend, Joti, and Joti and her mother take her in where she lives in a real family (that she has never known) of strong, loving women and Sahaara has a best friend in Jeevan and a love of art as the best way to express herself. I ached as I read the lives of this mother and daughter; so many mysteries, secrets, and questions silenced. I could not put this deep examination of what it is to be a woman who does not matter in a man's world that includes lies. I loved being a part of Kiran and Sahaara's journeys and urge adults as well as young adults to read this story. Highly recommended!

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Exit West by Mohsin Hamid

Exit West by Mohsin Hamid
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In an unnamed country, Nadia meets Saeed in evening school and they strike up a friendship that quickly becomes something more- because of the war and strife being visited upon their country. There was so much to love about these two people but they were hard working trying to exist in a world that is being torn apart. As they traverse their life, apart, and then together, they become very close but do not get engaged or married. They care deeply for each other and as the book proceeds they go through so much together. I loved Mohsin Hamid's writing; his characterization and his plot, and setting were all marvelously strung together, kept me turning the pages, and hoping for an end to their "war" both in the world and trying to find a new life.

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The Border by Steve Schafer

The Border by Steve Schafer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire and Steve Schafer for providing an advance copy of The Border by Steve Schafer. Debut author, Steve Schafer, has written a heart wrenching book about Mexican teens forced to endure murder, secrets, betrayal, and danger after a celebratory family party results in the death of their families and all that they knew and loved in their lives. I could not put down this book as I followed Pato, Arbo, Marcos and Gladys through their intense journey from Mexico across the border and into the horrors of the desert. I loved the four characters: Pato who is vulnerable (but strong) to so many conflicting thoughts and feelings, Arbo (Pato’s best friend and cousin) can’t defend himself but helps in any way he can, Marco is a hothead who is not afraid to protect his sister, use a gun, and fight and finally Gladys, Marcos’ sister who is sweet, kind, and always tries to be positive keeping the group together with her wisdom. As these teens run from a Mexican gang and everyone else (they have bounties for their capture) the reader learns about their lives before the party and are catapulted into each hour and footstep after as they try to evade capture and flee to “safety” in the United States. These teens are tested time and time again in ways they never imagined. YA fans and reluctant readers hearts will palpitate as Pato and friends try to survive too much adversity and facing impossible choices. Readers will root for these Mexican teens through cliff hangers, chaos, and much suspense as they race against time toward a life that does not promise safety and security but that I hope, they can persevere. Please read the Author’s Note and Acknowledgments, they are very important and I liked that high school students read and gave feedback on this timely and real issue. Highly recommended!

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The Journey by Francesca Sanna

The Journey by Francesca Sanna
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this amazing picture book for #yearofya May book chat dealing with immigration/refugees. The author decided to write this book after she met 2 refugee girls and with this impetus she began to gather true stories of migration from many many people the book is a collage of all their stories of hope, strength, determination and possibilities. So glad I OWN this treasure & will be sharing it with all my friends, readers, and family.

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Behind the Mountains by Edwidge Danticat

What a wonderful, poignant story about a Haitian family whose father, Papa, now lives in New York, toiling for years to bring his family to live with him. Told in first person by Celiane in entries to her notebook, we meet her family who has remained in Haiti, Celiane's mother, Manman, her older, artistic brother, Moy and the many relatives who provide support as they wait for approval to make the move. There is government turmoil and Celiane and her mother are injured in a pipe bomb attack in Haiti. It is a wonderful Christmas present to move to New York to finally be with their father. Once there, Moy and Celiane go to school, which is difficult because of the language barrier, strange surroundings and no friends. We see through Celiane's eyes the joy, sorrow and harshness of being in a new land. We see the beauty of Celiane's house on a mountain and New York through a child's eyes. This is a great multicultural story of how families remain close during separation and make a new life in a new land.