phenixsnow's review against another edition
5.0
This was a nail biter even though I knew the author eventually made it to the US. There were so many twists and turns and the authors age at the time made it even more emotional. It starts off slow and I had a hard time getting into it but its very compelling once it gets going. I loved that the audiobook was read by the author.
The book does have a lot of Spanish mixed in which was confusing at times. I know some basic Spanish but the twist here is that the author is Salvadoran and as he points out in the memoir a lot of common words for things are not the same as Mexican Spanish.
The book does have a lot of Spanish mixed in which was confusing at times. I know some basic Spanish but the twist here is that the author is Salvadoran and as he points out in the memoir a lot of common words for things are not the same as Mexican Spanish.
cassies_books_reviews's review against another edition
5.0
What a powerful emotional and eye opening book.
Javier Zamora is only nine when he makes the long journey to join his parents in America. His grandfather brings him to the coyote that they paid for the long “trip” all he has on him is his backpack with a few pieces of clothing and a little money for an emergency. He’s unaccompanied by anyone he knows. We are taken into the mind of this little boy whose only nine years old. He tells us of his fear of peeing or getting undressed in public, we follow him as he makes the long journey across the desert, the dangers he encounters the fear he has of being figured out by any person outside of his little group and the hope he has in his heart of finally making it to "La USA." and into the arms of his parents. This little boy showed bravery and my heart broke for him each time he was scared but didn’t want to show fear to the adults around him. During his journey he meets three selfless individuals, a mother and her daughter and another young man who became his second family and helped him survive the ordeal, they relied on each-other in different ways. They bond in a way that makes you wipe tears from your eyes as you read their story. The book leaves you questioning why humanity is the way it is with all the borders, inequality, privilege or lack thereof , racism and brutality when we're all just the same human beings. Solito is an incredible memoir and I’m so honored to have read Javier’s story!
Javier Zamora is only nine when he makes the long journey to join his parents in America. His grandfather brings him to the coyote that they paid for the long “trip” all he has on him is his backpack with a few pieces of clothing and a little money for an emergency. He’s unaccompanied by anyone he knows. We are taken into the mind of this little boy whose only nine years old. He tells us of his fear of peeing or getting undressed in public, we follow him as he makes the long journey across the desert, the dangers he encounters the fear he has of being figured out by any person outside of his little group and the hope he has in his heart of finally making it to "La USA." and into the arms of his parents. This little boy showed bravery and my heart broke for him each time he was scared but didn’t want to show fear to the adults around him. During his journey he meets three selfless individuals, a mother and her daughter and another young man who became his second family and helped him survive the ordeal, they relied on each-other in different ways. They bond in a way that makes you wipe tears from your eyes as you read their story. The book leaves you questioning why humanity is the way it is with all the borders, inequality, privilege or lack thereof , racism and brutality when we're all just the same human beings. Solito is an incredible memoir and I’m so honored to have read Javier’s story!
martinezrenuncio's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
It is hard to read but necessary.