“Lydia knows a little about las colonias of Tijuana because she’s read the books, because Luis Alberto Urrea is one of her favorite writers, and he’s written about the dumps, about kids like Beto who live there. That flare of recognition makes her feel like she knows him already, at least slightly, but that feeling is half-hollow, a shadow puppet. Because though she may understand something of this boy’s circumstances, she doesn’t know him. Still, the familiarity has the effect of thawing the part of her that would otherwise remain hardened to him. ” ~ American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
Lydia and her 8-year old son Luca’s lives are upended when a drug cartel massacres their entire family at a quinceañera celebration, leaving them as the only survivors. They flee and the story is about their perilous journey to the promised land - United States. The book was recommended by AJ as a must-read and it did live up to the expectations. It was like watching a movie thriller. The names Luca and La Bestia will always stay etched in my mind, also Soledad (Sole), one of girls they meet along the way.
Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/American-Dirt-Novel-Jeanine-Cummins/dp/1250209765