Santiago’s Road Home by Alexandra Diaz
Release: May 5th 2020
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Simon Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
Source: Amazon
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A young boy gets detained by ICE while crossing the border from Mexico to the United States in this timely and unflinching novel by award-winning author Alexandra Diaz.
The bed creaks under Santiago’s shivering body. They say a person’s life flashes by before dying. But it’s not his whole life. Just the events that led to this. The important ones, and the ones Santiago would rather forget.
The coins in Santiago’s hand are meant for the bus fare back to his abusive abuela’s house. Except he refuses to return; he won’t miss anyone. His future is uncertain until he meets the kind, maternal María Dolores and her young daughter, Alegría, who help Santiago decide what comes next: He will accompany them to el otro lado, the United States of America. They embark with little, just backpacks with water and a bit of food. To travel together will require trust from all parties, and Santiago is used to going it alone. None of the three travelers realizes that the journey through Mexico to the border is just the beginning of their story.
Alexandra Diaz is the author of The Only Road, which was a Pura Belpré Honor Book, an ALA Notable Book, and the recipient of two starred reviews. She is also the author of Of All the Stupid Things, which was an ALA Rainbow List book and a New Mexico Book Award finalist, The Crossroads, and Santiago’s Road Home. Alexandra is the daughter of Cuban refugees and lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, but got her MA in writing for young people at Bath Spa University in England. A native Spanish speaker, Alexandra now teaches creative writing to adults and teens. Visit her online at Alexandra-Diaz.com.
Author Website: alexandra-diaz.com
Twitter: @alexandratdiaz
Santiago’s Road Home Review:
This story is gut wrenching, gripping and so powerful! It got me emotional and made me tear up. “Santiago’s Road Home” is a wonderful tale of hope and survival. As you read it, you visualize countless people like Santiago who still struggle to reunite with their loved ones.
I honestly feel this is one of those books that a person of any age group would appreciate (and not restrict it to middle grade). The story highlights the difficulties immigrants go through when trapped in the holding centers at the U.S/Mexico border. Even though what Santiago goes through sounds harsh, the author mentions that in reality, such people face even worse treatment. Sadly, the fact is that many boys and girls prefer the lifestyle in the centers in comparison to their life back in Mexico. The author has detailed all the struggles that Santiago goes through in a poignant way.
Moreover, Santiago is wonderful as the main character. What struck me about his character is how hard he holds on to his hope. He is someone who would do anything for his loved ones, and stays true to himself to be good, even though he faces so many difficulties. Also, I loved his relation with sweet Alegria and the bond they shared. I also loved the scenes between him and Senor Dante. I only wish that the people in such scenarios in reality have the same hope for a better future like Santi.
This is the first book I am reading of Alexandra Diaz, and after reading this book, I definitely want to read her Only Road series. Overall, “Santiago’s Roads Home” is a beautiful tale that I feel everyone should read as an eye-opener.
