The paths of four migrant children from different Central American countries cross as they enter Mexico, and together they continue their journey to the United States.Though their reasons for undertaking the perilous journey are different, their hopes are not: They all hope for asylum in the U.S. Ten-year-old Alessandra, from Guatemala, hopes to reunite with her mother, who left four years ago. Thirteen-year-old Laura and her 7-year-old brother, Nando, from El Salvador, are going to live with relatives in the U.S. And 14-year-old Rodrigo, from Honduras, will try to join his parents in Nebraska rather than join a local gang. Along the way they encounter danger, hunger, kindness from strangers, and, most importantly, the strength of friendship with one another. Through the four children, the book provides but the barest glimpse into the reasons, hopes, and dreams of the thousands of unaccompanied minors that arrive at the U.S.–Mexico border every year. Artist Guevara has added Central American folk art–influenced details to her illustrations, giving depth to the artwork. These embellishments appear as line drawings superimposed on the watercolor scenes. The backmatter explains the reasons for the book, helping to place it within the larger context of ongoing projects at Baylor University related to the migration crisis in Central America.An emotional entry point to a larger, necessary discussion on this complex and difficult subject. (Picture book. 7-10)

Gr 3-5 This picture book reimagines the journeys of four fictional children to the United States. It opens with ten-year-old Alessandra, a girl of Mayan heritage who only speaks Q'eqchi', as she embarks on a dangerous journey to reunite with her mother in the U. S.The other children, of various ages, also make the trip on a boat, a truck, and a system of trains known as "the Beast," traveling from Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador until they arrive at the Nuevo Laredo camp in Mexico. Older elementary readers may reflect on the struggles that unaccompanied migrant children must endure to find a better life in the U.S. and reunite with their families. Guevara employs pastel colors and curved lines to give life to dreamlike, soft illustrations while supplementing the narrative. This imagery is reinforced by using allegories of a bird, a butterfly, a monkey, and a jaguar, a loving nod to Mesoamerican history and culture. The Spanish edition moves effortlessly, although at times this literal translation loses the natural expression used by native speakers. The small black-and-white type is placed in the corners of the pages to avoid concealing the art. This picture book could be used in a fourth-grade social studies unit covering the family migration crisis. The back matter contains a note from Baylor University, creator of the Global Hunger and Migration Project. Thoughts on how to get involved and notes from the illustrator are also included. The story does have one conflicting element: Alessandra is able to understand and verbally communicate with the other children, even though she does not speak Spanish. VERDICT A candid rendition of the jarring reality lived by migrant children told in inviting language accessible to elementary students.Kathia Ibacache, Univ. of Colorado Boulder