How Does It Feel to Be Unwanted?

September 1, 2018

Veteran reporter Truax weaves the stories of 18 immigrants with cogent analysis of the broader social circumstances of their status to offer a compelling picture of courage and resistance. One chapter points out that one of every five U.S. women is Latina. "Every day is a battle," says Yunuen Bonaparte, who has overcome incredible obstacles not only to earn a college education but also to start a center at her school for undocumented students and begin a career as a photojournalist. Also profiled is Daniel Rodrígues, the only undocumented lawyer licensed in Arizona. Truax characteristically tells a personal story. Ana Elena Soto-Harrison met her husband while he was on a business trip to Mexico City. His job has taken him across the United States; consequently, Ana has seen how Mexican Americans have been welcomed in many different places. Fortunately, she's endured some good experiences, including being a volunteer Spanish teacher in a public school. VERDICT Truax's book is special because it tells riveting personal stories while making the case for a more humane immigration policy that will make even the most callous public official soften. Highly recommended for all readers.--David Azzolina, Univ. of Pennsylvania Libs., Philadelphia

Copyright 2018 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2018
Respected journalist Truax follows Dreamers: An Immigrant Generation's Fight for the American Dream (2015) with an effort to answer the anguished question she poses in the title of this slim volume. It contains tales she gleaned from a broad spectrum of Mexican immigrants, some documented but most not. Truax juxtaposes their compelling life stories with statistics about everything from the high percentage of Mexican immigrants who enlist in the armed forces to the dwindling number of people crossing the border without documents. The individuals she portrays represent a rich cross section of males and females of diverse sexual orientations, young and mature, able and disabled, professionals and laborers from all over Mexico, and now residing primarily in California, Colorado, Arizona, and Kansas. Most of Truax's subjects were brought to the U.S. as children, who grew up fearing deportation. Truax reports on how they overcame adverse circumstances through hard work, a passion for justice, and a desire to help their communities. Clarifying and timely.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)