Jullian is an illegal immigrant in the USA. He has entered America illegally and has been sending money home to Mexico to help his family. When his letters and money stop coming, his brother, Mateo, knows that something is wrong. Mateo leaves to go north and to cross the border into the USA. On the way, Mateo gets a unique view of the hazards that people face on their journey to cross our borders. In modern America, eleven million people may have faced dangers and heartbreak similar to Mateo's. This is a must read book for the times we live in. Mrs Giff recieved the 2015 Gold Parents' Choice Award for Until I Find Julian. She has a rare connection with Latin American children, and publishes many of her books in Spanish. Until I Find Julian is great realistic fiction for ages 8 and above. ( )

Aiming to up my # of reviews, I'll quick comment on kindle samples I've read lately -- this was one I don't think I need to continue with, as I wasn't captivated.

Julian has illegally crossed the border from Mexico to go work in the United States. After his Abuela (Grandmother) stops hearing from Julian, his little brother, Mateo, goes to find him. He is aided by the mysterious Angel, who helps him cross (unrealistically easily, from what my students have told me) across the border to find his brother. ( )

Matteo's journey with Angel across the Mexican/U.S. border to find his brother Julian is almost too smooth. For young readers though, it's a developmentally approachable introduction to the larger issues of illegal immigration: poverty, breaking up of families, dangers of the journey--scaled in a way children can understand. ( )