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Illegal Bettina Restrepo Books

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Illegal Bettina Restrepo Books

Nora's family isn't doing too well. Because they need money to support their farm in Mexico, her father leaves for the U.S. in search of work. Money and letters stop coming from him. Nora decides it's best to go to Texas to find her father so that he can fulfill his promise: they'll be together for her fifteenth birthday.

Nora and her mother embark on a grueling trip to Texas. Once there, they struggle to find housing, food, jobs and false papers. They're surrounded by the cruel and the kind. Nora's bravery shines through as mean girls, lecherous men, and gang members mistake her for a victim. And still, she doesn't give up looking for her father so that they can be reunited before her quinceañera, an event girls in her culture eagerly await.

This is a wonderful novel about the immigrant experience. It filled me with both questions and sympathy towards people who cross the border illegally. It's also heart-breaking, so don't be surprised if you need tissue at hand.


Tags : Amazon.com: Illegal (9780061953422): Bettina Restrepo: Books,Bettina Restrepo,Illegal,Katherine Tegen Books,0061953423,Family - General,Social Themes - Emigration & Immigration,Social Themes - Prejudice & Racism,Illegal aliens,Illegal aliens;Fiction.,Immigrants,Immigrants - United States,Mexicans - Texas,Mexicans;Texas;Fiction.,Texas,Texas;Fiction.,Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9),Fiction,JUVENILE,Juvenile Fiction,Juvenile Grades 7-9 Ages 12-14,Mexicans,People & Places - United States - Hispanic & Latino,REFERENCE General,Social issues (Children's Teenage),TEEN'S FICTION - GENERAL,United States,YOUNG ADULT FICTION,YOUNG ADULT FICTION Coming of Age,YOUNG ADULT FICTION Family General (see also headings under Social Themes),YOUNG ADULT FICTION Social Themes Emigration & Immigration,YOUNG ADULT FICTION Social Themes Homelessness & Poverty,YOUNG ADULT FICTION Social Themes Prejudice & Racism,Young Adult FictionGirls & Women,Young Adult FictionSocial Themes - Prejudice & Racism

Illegal Bettina Restrepo Books Reviews

Staying behind in the grapefruit orchards of Cedula, Mexico when her father left for America was painfully difficult for Nora. But times are tough and the money papa sends has helped the family hang on to the only thing they have left. But when her father's letters and money stop coming, Nora won't stay idle waiting for the family to lose their orchard. In spite of her youth, she pulls her mother into a plan to go to Texas in search of him. Braving through hiring a "coyote", a harrowing trip by truck and forced to lead her mother like a horse all the way Nora won't give up until they find her papa.

But the American dream isn't instantly granted to those who come seeking it. Houston is a big city filled with gangs, homelessness and finding her papa may take longer than Nora and her mother can afford. When you don't speak the language and your very presence breaks the law, how do you build a new life?

My personal feelings regarding illegal immigration aside I struggled with this story. I think Restrepo bit off more than she could chew as far as this very controversial topic is concerned. Everything came far too easily to Nora and her mother, even the "harrowing" border crossing was toned down to a very G-rated experience. Because this is a Young Adult novel intended for younger readers I do understand the need for not going into certain areas but at the same time I feel the author has done a disservice to the readers. Coming to America illegally is not this simple and the horror stories I have heard make this seem like a very sugar-coated fairy-tale version. I was disappointed that this wasn't more true to life.

All of that aside this was so well written! If the author had been writing another story I might have been able to give it a much higher rating. Restrepo has a great grasp of scene setting and characterization. The things Nora wants are so suited to a girl of her age it was easy to care for her and pray she would find her papa and that her family would have the happily-ever-after ending. Though I felt the social issues (ie. gangs) were badly watered down I do feel like the author did it for the right reasons, for the younger audience this book is intended for, I can't fault that.

Overall this is well written and not unenjoyable but if you're expecting the story to be frightening or sway political feelings it's simply not that solid. I think it would be very suitable for the younger end of the YA age group but won't appeal to adults who enjoy YA.
***Notes Received unsolicited ARC via publisher.
Really good book would recommend this
Illegal is beautifully told, heartfelt story about a girl (Nora) who risks everything to find her father in America. Nora's father leaves Mexico to support his family, but the checks and letters stop coming all of a sudden. Nora and her mother face Coyotes (people smugglers), poverty, and prejudice to find him. (No spoilers!) Highly recommended!
Intended for a tween and teen audience, this beautiful, if sometimes gritty and heartwrenching, story follows Nora -- almost 15 --as she tracks her Dad from Cedula, Mexico to Texas trying to bring him back home -- or to stay in the US with him. Tackling a subject not-often-enough spoken about in sympathetic terms, Restrepo creates an engaging yet accessible story, worthy of a shelf in every library and classroom.
Wonderful writing about arriving and thriving in the great USA. There are many touching and emotional moments in this novel. Nora's voice rings true, although she must also be mature. Illegal details problems of the coyote trip to America. Fascinating, enlightening and horrifying. Would we be able to give up everything like those begging to be allowed in America? This book is timely and necessary!
The story of Nora, a Mexican who comes to Houston illegally, is rich and powerfully told. She's looking for her father, who left the family to make a way in America and who has seemingly disappeared. Restrepo's writing puts the reader right there next to Nora and her mother in the dust of Cedula, and hidden in the back of the fruit truck as they make their way across the border, and on the streets of Houston, as they settle in a foreign and dangerous land.

As a resident of Houston, I immediately saw the power of this story. It presents a different perspective of what it means to be "illegal" and shows the reader why people risk their lives in order to find a new life in America. The story does not gloss over the hardships faced by immigrants, including gangs and prostitution, but there are also wonderful characters, an intriguing plot and ultimately, a great deal of hope.

A must-read!
Nora's family isn't doing too well. Because they need money to support their farm in Mexico, her father leaves for the U.S. in search of work. Money and letters stop coming from him. Nora decides it's best to go to Texas to find her father so that he can fulfill his promise they'll be together for her fifteenth birthday.

Nora and her mother embark on a grueling trip to Texas. Once there, they struggle to find housing, food, jobs and false papers. They're surrounded by the cruel and the kind. Nora's bravery shines through as mean girls, lecherous men, and gang members mistake her for a victim. And still, she doesn't give up looking for her father so that they can be reunited before her quinceañera, an event girls in her culture eagerly await.

This is a wonderful novel about the immigrant experience. It filled me with both questions and sympathy towards people who cross the border illegally. It's also heart-breaking, so don't be surprised if you need tissue at hand.