A review by kshertz
Sanctuary by Paola Mendoza, Abby Sher
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I loved this book. It’s dystopian but just barely. The genius is in just how not far out in the future it feels. People who are not born in America being marked and tracked, forced to try to get to California for Sanctuary. It so clearly connects you to the main characters and you root for everyone. It breaks your heart over and over again. But it’s so important. I wish I could make everyone read it. Especially my students from conservative households. The empathy is essential.
Graphic: Physical abuse, Police brutality, Trafficking, Blood, Child death, Deportation, Genocide, Sexual assault, Abandonment, Body horror, Death, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Hate crime, Violence, Xenophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Racial slurs, and Rape