Journey of the Sparrows by Fran Leeper Buss is a really good book that really illustrates the American Dream by showing how many immigrants think that if you are fleeing oppression you can come to America and you will be safe. Also, that if you work hard you will have endless opportunity. When Maria is forced from her home in Mexico to the dangerous road to America, she opens her eyes to all her possibilities in America. She must work all day every day to keep her family fed and try to pay passage to get her mom and sister to America along with them. When Maria's mother is captured and her sister Teresa is kept with a family friend, she knows she must do something. Maria maked the long trek back to Mexico and helps her sister back to America where their family will live together in the hope of finding a better life. This book was pretty good, but it wasn't the best. There was a lot of really confusing parts in this book because it didn't go into to much detail because this book is more for a younger audience. It was very accurate because the author's are cultural insiders so they knew a lot about the Mexican ways. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about the American Dream and the hard lives immigrants face.

JAR4-Bus

I really liked this book. I didn't expect to get into it, because it was a book project from my teacher. But i enjoyed it!! I was hoping for a 2nd one. The ending wasn't the best. It didn't really tell me if she made it back okay, but I'm guessing she did. She was happy at the end. i <3 journey of the sparrows

From the first emotional journey of 3 El Salvadoran children and 1 young adult locked in crates journeying to Chicago, to the end this book tugs on the heartstrings. But it brought to light the unsafe and horrific conditions many El Salvadorans fled from, and the hateful way immigrants, legal and illegal, are treated in this country.


Own Voices Global Reading Challenge: Central America

I read this one because one of my customers recommended it to me. She had read it in class and really liked it, so I decided to give it a try. WOW, kids are reading some great things these days. It's about a family of Salvadorans who flee to Mexico after the U.S.-backed Guardia kill their father and rape their oldest sister. The mother can only afford to send 3 of them across the border to the U.S. so the 3 oldest children are nailed into crates and smuggled all the way to Chicago on a fruit truck. The story is about their struggle to survive illegally in the United States and their attempt to make enough money to bring their mother and youngest sister across the border. It's really well-written and really emotional. I highly recommend it.

Journey of the Sparrows relates to many people seeking for refuge illegally and fighting to stay alive. In this first person point of view book, a family seeks for refuge from the Gardias in their country, El Salvador, and comes to America. Fifteen year old Maria, well developed protagonist of this book, is told various times that she'll be the one to save her family. The interesting plot is of Maria's family's journey to America and how they try to survive. Two of the main themes in this book is having hope and being prepared and ready for anything. It takes place in America and near U.S.'s border. Also it seems to be from the past and is authentic. The engaged writing style is appropriate and leaves you in suspense and makes you want to read more. I strongly advise anyone who is generally looking for a good book about the American Dream to read this book.

it was okay, wish it ended better

From the Publisher
Nailed into a crate in the back of a truck, fifteen-year-old Maria, her older sister Julia, their little brother Oscar, and a boy named Tomas endure a cruel journey across the U.S. border and then north to Chicago. There they struggle to find work—cleaning, sewing, washing dishes—always careful to remain "invisible" so the authorities won't arrest and deport them.

Despite the family's ordeals, hope and love can be found—in Maria's budding romance with Tomas, in the help given by a kindly midwife and priest, and most of all, in the stories Maria tells to lift the family's spirits, of a little sparrow who brings a rainbow.

Starkly realistic and tenderly poetic, this powerfully moving story of the secret lives of immigrants who courageously triumph over incredible obstacles is not to be missed.

Pomona Catholic highschool fucking sucks but at least I stole this book and really liked it

I read this book when I was about 11 years old and even now at 26 I remember the impact that this story had on me.

This was beautifully written! Thoroughly researched, and told from the perspective of a young girl. Amazing! Thank you, Fran! I was presented with a copy of this book as a gift from the author. What a precious gift!

Riveting and personal - Fran is my sister-in-law. Very graphic account and yet suitable for junior high students.