The Book of Unknown Americans alternates between multiple POVs. Two of the main POVs are Alma, the mother of Maribel who suffered a brain injury, and Mayor, who lives in the same building as Alma and Maribel and is intrigued by Maribel. The other perspectives are of other immigrants from various places, sharing their stories of coming to or living in America. All of these people have ended up in Delaware in this same apartment building, living similar yet very different lives. 

“We're the unknown Americans, the ones no one even wants to know, because they've been told they're supposed to be scared of us and because maybe if they did take the time to get to know us, they might realize that we're not that bad, maybe even that we're a lot like them. And who would they hate then?”

Even though this book was published in 2014, I think it still has a lot of important messages applicable today. It’s a look into how immigrants to the U.S. live and how they are treated. So many Americans are quick to shun immigrants without knowing anything about their stories or background. This book is an excellent read for those people, showing that people have many reasons for immigrating, but regardless of that reason, they are deserving of equality and fairness. Even though this book is fiction, I feel like I learned a lot and gained new perspectives on migrant experiences. 

I have read some critiques of this book, which I do not have experience with but want to point out. One being that the book is full of stereotypes of immigrants. Another that the book is very unrealistic. That the ‘ease’ with which Alma’s family obtained visas, housing, and jobs in the U.S. is basically impossible. 

If you read reviews, a lot will complain about the ending of this book. It is indeed heartbreaking and has a very different tone from the rest of the book. I was very shocked by the ending and the turn the book took towards the end, but do not think it takes away from the worth of the rest of the book. This is how the author chose to tell the story.