Hard to read because the lives of children fleeing El Salvador via Mexico to the US are dangerous, sorrowful and stark. But while realistic, the story is also hopeful and beautifully told and the characters are sympathetic and round. Worth reading for the inside look at this side of life most of us know little about. The specific terrors women faced are mentioned though not described outright, so parents of younger readers might want to screen and/or discuss.

Nailed into a vegetable crate, Maria and her siblings (Julia, and Oscar) are shipped to America to be free from the harsh conditions in their hometown, El Salvador. They struggle to find jobs, and food, and Julia is pregnant. They find jobs, and food but are very fearful of being caught and deported back to El Salvador. Maria sees things in America in a beautiful, and crucial way. She describes the conditions of Chicago, the people, and home she lives in. I liked, but didn't love this book. I thought it was descriptive, but over-done. I recommend this book to people ages 11, and up who are looking for a descriptive insight on the American Dream.

This was such a depressing but powerful book. I'm glad I read it, but I don't see myself reading it again.

I had many emotions for this book and the characters.

This book is a great multi-cultural resource for the classroom. The book traces the struggles of Maria, a 15 year old from El Salvador, her older sister Julia, and younger brother Oscar. The three children are the only family members to escape the US backed war ravaging their country. Coming to Chicago nailed in crates, their journey to survive in America is often heart breaking, but never hopeless. This book would be an immense help to ESL Spanish speaking students, since they may have a cultural basis to relate to the book(language, life experiences as immigrants/migrant workers/experiences as non English speakers/similar religious beliefs/similar family ethics etc). Younger readers could explore elements of plot, characterization or basic symbolism (sparrow and quetzal birds). Older readers could discuss social dynamics or maybe political elements (US immigration policy, US support during El Salvador's Civil War, the brief mention of the Black Panther Party etc). It's a great classroom resource!

This book was very amazing because it gave me an idea about what is happening. I mean what happened in the book is still happening in real life.

This book could not hold my attention span for long. Don't call me heartless, because I have done missions in mexico for years. Most people who like this book are probably just pretending to care for their social image. (Be honest. You are.) It is in no way a bad book, it has some great ideas behind it, but it is just executed in a mediocre fashion.
What is it:
A historical fiction feel-good about illegal immigration.
Who wrote it:
Fran Leeper Buss
Negatives:
I know this is nitpicking, but if the woman on the cover is an illegal immigrant, why does she have so much makeup on? Maybe it's the quetzal lady? But
The quetzal lady is homeless! Second off, it is called journey of the sparrows, but it does not talk about the journey to america. It goes on and on about the
characters home in el salvador, and america, but never the journey! The characters met a kid named tomas and stayed in mexico. That's so important but it never talks about this. For such a bold choice to have a young adult book be about the real world the tone... how do I explain it... does nothing. Every
other chapter they talk about mary the mother of jesus. I understand that the characters are catholic and I don't hate catholics, but it gets annoying.

Positives:
Despite not going into detail about mexico, one of the book's strongest points is it's character development. It is very realistic and portays illegal immigration very well. Despite seeing the ending coming, there were some touching moments in the last chapter. I know that at first glance this doesn't look like much when compared to the negatives, but in the end it counts for a lot.
Verdict:
I would have given this book 3 stars, but goodreads would have labeled predictable feel goods as suggestions. Yeesh. For all it's heart, realisticness and novel ideas for young adult literature, it lacks a lot of the freshness that make feel-goods like mary poppins and the sound of music what they are. It ignores whole parts of people's lives and hammers home certain things to the point of annoyance.
Grade
C+

I only read the first third, maybe, but the first chapter (the actual immigration journey) was riveting. I hope to excerpt that chapter for our immigration unit. The rest gets a bit mature - Coby also loved the first chapter but thought that parts of the rest were inappropriate.

Journey of the Sparrows, a historical fiction novel written by Fran Leeper Buss, gives an accurate story of the adjustments and obstacles of immigrating. The setting is in a time of political instability in El Salvador. This courageous family from El Salvador comes to America stuffed in crates for hours, while they are driven across Central America. Upon arrival in America, they move to Chicago to find jobs. This book portrays America as a place for opportunity, refuge, and freedom. The characters are involved in a parallel culture and act in believable ways. Hearing the story as Maria in first person definitely benefits the story at times like the climax. The story contains a great plot with a rising and falling action with an immense climax. The characters show themes of courage and helping others as Maria tries to reunite her family again. If you love the American Dream, immigration stories, along with stories that show faith and determination, this story is a mixture that concocts all these wonderful aspects.

I had mixed feelings about this story. The main characters were tragic figures that compelled me to lend my support for their acceptance in society so as to live a normal life. On the other hand, I struggled with Maria family's illegal entry into the U.S. This fictional account of the immigration dilemma reveals the hardships that people will undertake to find a safe home for their loved ones.
It is certainly a tale that forces you to re-examine your own views on this subject.

I loved this book. It describes a journey of 3 siblings leaving their country of El Salvador to come the United States. It gives a realistic and heartbreaking experience of illegal immigrants and the choices they are faced with. This makes a perfect connection to what is currently happening today with kids and teens leaving their countries to come to the United states. I like the fact that this novel exposes the plight of young immigrants trying to enter this country. Gave me a different perspective on the whole issue.

it was very graphic concerning childbirth and rape. I would not recommend it for children to read