La Frontera/ the Border: El Viaje Con Papá/ My Journey With Papa

Alfredo left his home in Mexico and crossed the border into Texas with his father when he was a child. They came to the United States looking for a better work opportunity for his dad. The journey wasn’t easy. They crossed the Rio Grand River in an inner tube at night. The man helping them disappeared with their money. They walked for days without food or water. They slept on rocks and on the ground. They finally reached “The Embassy,” a bunch of broken down trailers behind a factory. This was where Alfredo lived and started his new life. He attended school, learned English, became a citizen, and eventually was reunited with the rest of his family.

This is a true story, written by Alfredo and his neighbor. The pictures are lovely, including details such as cacti and the Texas bluebonnets. The facial expressions of the people convey emotions perfectly. The words and the illustrations describe Alfredo’s journey in a way that kids can understand. The text is in both Spanish and English. In the back of the book, there is additional information about immigration and Alfredo, a map, and a photo of Alfredo’s family. I would have liked even more details describing Alfredo’s journey, but this is a nice introduction for elementary school-aged children.