Javier Zamora

[4.5] If a reader sheds no tears after experiencing this harrowing adventure of a nine-year-old boy's grueling migration from El Salvador to the U.S., perhaps a cardiac specialist should be consulted to make sure nothing is missing. Zamora shines a glaring spotlight on an important and incredibly timely topic, chronicling an emotional, heart-wrenching and ultimately uplifting saga. My only minor issue: I agree with some reviewers who have red-flagged redundancies. The literary "minimalist" in me thinks this incredible story could have been a solid 5-star narrative with some judicious editing. Less can be more. Then again, Zamora's brave and brilliant effort to accurately recount his 3,000-mile odyssey may not have been as authentic had the Word Police dictated a shorter tome. I loved "Solito." Well done, Javier.… (plus d'informations)

Javier Zamora lived his first nine years in El Salvador with his grandparents after his parents fled to the U.S. as a result of the Salvadorian civil war. He doesn't even remember his father, who left when he was one, and then four years later, his mother followed. They've told him for years that he will come to them, and after trying to legally immigrate and then bend the truth, eventually he is sent, alone, with a group of migrants and a coyote who promises to get them to the United States.

This is simply an incredible, moving, riveting and intense story. Javier's memories of what happened during the journey in 1999 had me on the edge of my seat from the moment his grandfather left and he was on his own, with each change in plans to the challenges of the journey, the fear and terror but also the kindness of strangers he met along the way. I was glad I read the e-book, as it made it a little easier to translate some of the Spanish, and though some of the colloquial words and phrases weren't to be found in the dictionary, I could generally follow the meaning anyway. Highly recommended.… (plus d'informations)