Because this story is about her life I don’t feel entitled to give this a star rating. However I do want to say that I loved this book! So much of my childhood life I see reflected in this story! My parents and myself along with my cousin came from Colombia in 1999. The fear that she lives with about the immigration status is something that I faced myself. I found this book to give a young audience an idea of what it’s like to be children of immigrants and I’m thankful that Diane made the decision to write her story for a younger audience. I do want to give trigger warnings for depression, thoughts of suicide with a semi plan happening as well as self harm.

For the audience that this is intended I urge parents to read this with them specially the harder parts. And talk about what it means for some children to actually live with this daily fear.

Thank you Diane for this book, thank you for sharing your story. I love seeing you in OITNB and I will definitely pick up your other book as well.

Very timely memoir about the OITNB actress's youth as an American child of undocumented immigrants, leading up to and following her parents' deportation when she was 14 years old. Guerrero wasn't put into a detention center for children -- in fact, she wasn't followed up after at all. The writing is aimed at middle school, but the discussion of her young adulthood seems more for an older teen audience. As an adult, I think I'd enjoy the original memoir she wrote that this was adapted from (but you know, no time for grown-up books for Liz).

How I hate that a book like this even has to be written, that this is something she and others live in fear of and live through. I picked it up to better understand and empathize.
I thought it was well written and eye opening, but the ending felt hurried and slightly more bitter and political than the rest of the book, though I can agree with her on much. She does have every reason to feel as she does and sadly, it is a political issue. It just would have been a bit stronger if not so rushed at the end.

Memoir of a girl whose parents were undocumented immigrants from Columbia. They both were deported and she was left in the US on her own at the age of 14. She knew they did not have papers and lived in constant fear. Mom actually was sent back once, came back to the US, then was sent back (for good) a second time. Adapted from her book for adults. Very relevant topic for the time. Focuses on childhood and teen years, so adapted well for this age group. She never got reported to CPS. Lived with friends and their families. Deals with fear, anger at parents, loss. Does talk a little bit about life as an adult and repairing relationships, going to Columbia to see parents there. (Author stars in Orange is the New Black and other shows as well)

It was really heartbreaking to read Diane Guerrero’s story, though you could certainly tell it had been condensed down into this version friendly for a younger audience. It’s a story that shares the real experiences of many folks in our country, and I think the way it’s told makes it a story that we can learn from, empathize with and be inspired by.

I didn't know Diane Guerrero's story of growing up with parents and a brother who were undocumented immigrants from Colombia, while she was born here. She does a great job setting the scene of a happy family life, despite the long hours both her parents worked and the fear of deportation. But the worst part is when deportation happens, and Diane is left by her mother first, and later by both of her parents and her brother, to stay in this country as a teenager with nothing and no one.

This isn't a literary memoir, but it's got some attitude and a lot of perspective. She tells the story of her childhood and her family's struggles in detail, which means that a lot happens in this short book. It is the young reader's edition of her adult book, which I never read, and I'm sure there is more in the adult version. Luckily, this doesn't feel like a poor adaptation of an adult book--it manages to feel like its own book.

After we hear Diane's whole story, including how she finally found some success after really bottoming out in college, she gives resources and inspiration for how to help yourself if you're in this situation or help others who might need help to change their legal status. The last chapter is clear about how the current president changes the goals Diane has and many people have for their families.

I think plenty of people of all ages need to hear this story, and I'm glad there's an edition for younger readers.