Journey of the Sparrows, by Fran Leeper Buss, tells the story of Maria and her siblings' journey into "the land of the rich." They flee from oppression in America and search for freedom. Maria tells of how she, Julia, and Oscar must work very hard in Chicago and hide from the police so they won't get caught and sent back to El Salvador. They are trying to help their mama and baby sister, Teresa get to Chicago safely as well. This great book really opened my eyes to what El Salvadorian Americans had to go through for freedom in America. The plot was very credible, interesting, and leaves you wondering what will happen to Maria and her family next. There is a slightly questionable part where Maria's first employer takes her aside, and tries to "hurt her bad" in a not very good way. For the most part, when they made certain references, they said it in such a way that unless you knew exactly what they were talking about, it isn't very questionable. I would recommend this book to anyone mature who wants to learn more about El Salvadorians immigrating to America.

I remember reading this in middle school and I spent way to long trying to find it again. Oddly enough the parts I remembered aren't even a full core story within the book. They are little parts that come up, over all the book still held up after over 15 years or so since I last read it.

I was extremely moved by this play and found Friedman’s dramatization of a novel both ambitious and extremely artistically executed. In addition to creating compelling characters each struggling with a myriad of different issues, Friedman includes several mythological characters who help propel the story by adding folklore and mythology as inspiration to continue fighting.

Perhaps because I am from a border town (El Paso), I am interested in immigration issues and this play certainly deals with a myriad of them, never once in a trivial manner. However, as I was reading this play, I found myself wondering why/how it is considered “for young audiences.” Not only are the immigration issues difficult to explain and understand (the children are given drugs to make them not cry in the crates on the journey and the danger of overdose are extremely high) but this play also included a rape scene and the very real fear that children were going to die—both the children in the play and Maria’s niece who is currently in utero. I think that these issues would be very hard to explain to a ten-year old (the back of the play suggest ages 10+). Regardless, I enjoyed this play very much and would be very interested to hear how productions of it have been received—particularly by young audiences.

Snapshot: When we first meet Maria, she, her younger brother Oscar, and her older and very-pregnant sister Julia, are stuffed in crates aboard a US freight train, hungry, tired and cold. They have escaped war-torn El Salvador to Chicago after their father and Julia’s husband Ramon are slaughtered by the Salvadoran Guardias. Maria’s mother stays in Mexico because her baby sister Teresa is ill and the family cannot risk crossing the border with her. Maria assumes full responsibility for the welfare of the family in Chicago and the story shows her coming of age. While in Chicago, she deals with the demands and challenges of culture, language, and assimilation and finds work, love, and freedom. When Mama is arrested in Mexico and sent to a refugee camp in Honduras, Maria travels back to Mexico to find Teresa, and then back to Chicago to unite her with the rest of the family, hoping that someday her mother will join them too.

“Hook”: It’s a coming of age love story that all middle school students can relate to, but also gives students the opportunity to explore deep and serious socio-historical issues.

Challenges: There are many topics discussed in this book that can be challenging for some students, especially those who have family who has lived through this time period or students who make personal connections to immigration and culture shock. The book discusses rape, war, sexual harassment and abuse of power in the workplace, illegal immigration/acculturation, and self esteem and skin color. The history of the Civil War in El Salvador and the politics of class and religion should be addressed as background. Finally, there are many characters in this book that Maria and the family encounter on their journey and keeping them (and the names) straight posed some difficulty for students. A family tree or sociogram would be helpful for students who are visual learners.

Student in mind: This is a great book for students in East Boston since the majority there are immigrants from El Salvador or have parents who grew up during the Civil War.

Conference notes: Have you ever felt that your family has given you too much responsibility? How does Maria feel about Tomas? Explain why the government in El Salvador was against Papa bringing a teacher to the village. Why is there a civil war in El Salvador? How does Maria feel about her skin color? How do you know? Would you have helped Maria in the way that Tomas and Dona Elena did? Why was there a raid at the factory where Maria works? What complications does Maria face as a result of not knowing English? How does Maria meet father Jonathan? Why do you think this is an important part in the story? What does the Quetzal Lady represent? What does the sparrow represent? What other symbols does the author use throughout the novel? Who is the last person in the book who helps Maria? Do you think Maria feels like she saved the family? What does Maria realize as she travels back to Chicago with Teresa? Do you think Mama will ever make it to Chicago?

Level: 7-8, High School ESL 3-4

Un libro muy interesante y conmovedor sobre la historia de una adolescente y su familia salvadoreña que tiene que huir de los horrores de la guerra.
Recomiendo ampliamente, se me fue como agua.

I read this with a group of 7th grade students. All immigrants. They thought it was as worthless as I did.

i sorry i read this i can't understand because I'm just came from Thailand about two years ago. I didn't read very well and i don't know English well. that i read this i can't understand about it.

the teacher said to me we due the book review by this Friday 10/23/09

who know about this book
"Journey of the sparrows"

Setting
Summary of main idea
transition to body
main characters
major conflict (what kind and what is it)
plot of story
rising action
climax
resolution
your opinion
strengths
weaknesses
examples and quotes supporting the above

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Powerful immigration story. Heartbreaking too. The prose is a bit stilted, not sure why.

What a sad tale! I wonder if my immigrant students feel this way about their lives here in the States.

This really made me feel guilty for having/wanting as much as I do. There is something to be said for simplicity and having less stuff in your life, yet still feeling grateful for all that you do have.

Reading level Grade 4 and up. This book tells the story of three children who are seeking a better life in the United States. They moved from El Salvador. When they arrived here, life was extremely hard. It was very difficult for them to get jobs and to adjust to the American life.

This was a pleasant surprise. I don't know what I expected, but I definitely didn't think it would be as engaging as it is. For readers who haven't lived the immigrant experience, I think this well help them understand why people make the trek to America and how difficult it can be to make the adjustment.

This is the book I chose to build an interdisciplinary unit around for my Master's program. It tells a gripping story, with believable characters. It is still timely (in 2023 as it was in 1992 when I first read it). It gives a clear picture of the plight of immigrants from Latin America.