Reading the Immigrant Experience

Two fabulous books that I have read this past year both deal with immigrating to the United States. One is historical and the other more contemporary.

90 Miles to Havana
by Enrique Flores-Galbis

90 Miles to Havana takes place during the early 1960's Operation Peter Pan (Operación Pedro Pan) when over 14,000 unaccompanied children were sent from Cuba to the United States. The story is heart breaking as we witness parents struggle with the decision to send their children away from them in the hopes of keeping them safe from the Cuban Revolution. The story is based on the author's own experience. This is an adventurous story, with edge-of-your seat action. A great view into a very catastrophic time in history.


The Only Road
by Alexandra Diaz

This is one of the best books I have read in the past year. It follows Jamie, and his cousin, who in order to avoid the choice of either joining up with gangs in their small Guatemalan community, or be killed is another heartbreaking story. This also is based on true events.

The harrowing journey is nothing compared to the heartbreak of the family who knows that they only hope for their children is to send them off to escape in hopes of a better life.

Happy Reading!