Ann JaramilloReseñas

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a good book to read to see the experience or point of view of how hard it is to be a family that is split apart and in different countries and is trying to be reunited.

This story is about a young boy and his sister who decide they need to cross the border to find their parents in the U.S. They travel a very dangerous journey riding a train and meeting new people who they do not know they can trust. This was an easy read and was relatively quick. I think this story is a good suspenseful introduction into larger chapter books.

This book is about a young boys journey to cross the border and be reunited with his parents. His sister ends up secretly tagging along and he now responsible for her too. Along the way the face many obstacles and realize what a hard journey this really is.

This book is super powerful, especially in today's day and age. I think it's important to read this book so that what we see on the news isn't all we know about immigrants.

Novel. This book is about a a brother and sister named Miguel and Elena. They want to go to their parents who are in California but Miguel and Elena are in Mexico. So they need to cross the border where they need to evade border patrol, robbers and other dangers they cross on their journey. It is a long and scary journey that is filled with many dangers. However, at the end they end up reuniting with their parents.

I read this book as part of a required assignment. I did not know much about this book prior to reading it for an assignment, but I am glad I had the opportunity to read it. This book is about a young boy who made the brave journey to la linea or the US- Mexico border. He thought he was alone, but his sister ended up tagging along with him on this journey. He then was responsible for the safety of him and his sister along this journey. This book was eye opening for me to read because Miguel, the main character in this story ohs only 15. At the age of 15 he is having to be responsible for the lives of himself and his little sister. As I was reading this, I could not imagine being in this situation or having to make this potentially deadly journey. Overall, this book was insightful for me to read, but I could not imagine having to make a potentially dangerous or deadly journey in order to achieve a better life.

This novel is about a young boy named Miguel. On his fifteenth birthday, he receives a letter from his father that he wants Miguel to join his mother and him in California. Miguel and his younger sister, Elena have grown up the past several years on the rancho with their Abuelita since their parents crossed la linea illegally to look for more work and a better life. Miguel and Elena’s parents promised to return for them someday and it is finally Miguel’s time. All the plans are in order, except unexpectedly, Elena decides to follow on the journey of crossing the border. Now they experience several obstacles and dangers together and realize quickly how hard the treck across the desert is. After all their troubles and fighting so hard, they finally reach their destination and reunite with their parents.
I really enjoyed reading this novel for many reasons. Ann Jaramillo wrote this fictional story based off of some of her student's experiences with being immigrants and crossing the border. I was engaged in the story the entire time and immediately had to read about the author and her story behind the book. I thought it was really interesting that she teaches English as a Second Language to middle schoolers and that she was able to create a story that reflected on her student’s lives and experiences. Although I wasn’t able to connect with everything in the story, I was able to feel the emotion, desperation, desire, loyalty, and betrayal that the characters did. I personally learned so much about this great book and think it is one that should definitely be read in the classroom. There is a cultural representation throughout and exposes readers to some of the realistic things happening in our world. It would be great for students because not only does it allow them to see more than just the political side of immigration, but also ties into either a window or mirror experience for them.

Summary: This novel is about two siblings, Miguel and Elena, who are traveling across the Mexican border to be reunited with their family in California. Miguel receives a letter from his father letting him know he’s ready for him in California. The two go on a journey together.

Personal summary: I think this novel is great for children to read so they can understand the hardships that some families have to go through and the danger and sacrifices they have to encounter. This story is good to read to students because it can be accessible to people who have had similar experiences and those who have not.

This is the story of two siblings, Miguel and Elena who embark on a journey to reunite with their parents across the Mexco-US border. All they can think about is leaving their hometown and finally joining their parents after many years. What they didn't know is how difficult the journey would really be. Miguel was suppose to go first when Elena surprised him and changed the whole course of events by her addition. At the worst point in the journey, they make it and we are surprised by the future they find in the US.

This was an incredibly moving novel for me to read. Since I have lived close to this border in my life, I feel deep compassion for the people who suffer through the extreme conditions that border crossing people are faced with. I find that the juxtaposition of the Mexican people throwing food to the people riding the train with the American people who form militias to keep Mexicans out is jarring. It is sad to me to be on the side that has the people organizing into militias, and I have to remind myself that there are also organizations here that work to provide humanitarian aid and not gunshots. Especially if you live close to the border this is a relevant read at any age providing a valuable perspective on the hot topic of illegal immigration from Mexico to the US.

This was a great story of hardship and perseverance. The narration was very honest and realistic which was surprising since it came from the point of view of a teenage boy. I've read a lot of immigration stories but not so many with contemporary settings and themes like in "La Linea". I like the character of Elena because she took a big risk by joining Miguel on his journey.

I really, really liked this book until the ending, which was very disappointing. I felt like it skipped too much into the future, and that future was too unrealistic for me.

A brother and sister go on a dangerous journey to America from a small village. They are leaving their grandma and everything they know behind. They are travelling to meet their parents and other siblings that had left them in Mexico long ago.

The novel started a little slow but soon I was engrossed. I read this for volunteering in a seventh grade class: the book's topic and reading level are good for this group but still enjoyable enough for me. The reading was woven into a lesson on immigration and it really gives an incredible perspective. The adolescent thinking in the book is honest but the reader will recognize the fallacies.

Overall, an good read with interesting characters and a fast paced ending. This is one of the few times that a novel has had an epilogue-ish ending that I've liked.

The book is incredibly suspenseful and relays the struggles and difficulties that Miguel and his sister face. This book is suitable for middle schoolers and could be used for social studies and lessons on immigration (I.e. could be paired with "The Distance Between Us" and "Inside Out and Back Again").

This novel made me reflect on just how much value family holds. The suspense in this novel also kept me drawn in!

I found this story to be very sad and I am unsure if I would read it in my class or not. Being from Los Angeles I feel as though illegal immigrants are some places and who is to say that I will not have the child of an illegal immigrant in my class who will get offended from this book.

This is a novel about two children who try to illegally cross the border to reunite with their families after a long separation. The novel tells their stories of robbery, attempting to jump onto a moving train, and how the crazy experience really changes the childs outlook on life.

this chapter book was about a young boy and his sister and their journey crossing the border. It was a sad but realistic story about what happens everyday.

RGG: Very graphic description of the horror and risk of illegally crossing the Mexican-United States border. The story is a bit slow in parts, but the horrible reality of the danger of this journey is transfixing. Reading Age: 12-YA.

La linea is harsh story of a young man who crosses the boarder with his sister. Miguel just wants to cross the boarder to see his mom and dad. But before he sees his parents him and his sisters go through a lot to get there. They pass the mata gente, gangsters, criminals, and the heat. All these things play a huge role through his journey across the boarder which is really difficult. One he crosses the boarder he gets his degree in English and stays in the United States.

Summary: The story of a fifteen year old boy who waits until his birthday to leave Mexico and go to the United States illegally. Miguel and his sister Elena's parents are already in the United States trying to make money to someday return to their children. When Miguel leaves for the border, Elena follows him unexpectedly and they must undergo many obstacles in order to finally cross la linea. When they finally make the nearly impossible trip, the United States is not as welcoming as they had previously expected.

Personal reflection: Ill immigration laws are a huge debate in America right now. Children, along with many adults, find it hard to feel compassion for illegal immigrants that have limited lifestyle choices. I think this book helps portray an important topic for students to understand.

Class use: For social studies lessons on the government and laws. Discussions on equality. Ask students to create character maps and explain the traits that helped Miguel achieve his dream of making it to the border. Ask students what they thought of the ending of the book. Ask them to write their own ending

This book was very suspenseful and made me think a lot about the value of family and sacrifice.

Miguel's life is just beginning. Or so he thinks. Fifteen-year-old Miguel leaves his rancho deep in Mexico to migrate to California across la linea, the border, in a debut novel of life-changing, cliff-hanging moments.
But Miguel's carefully laid plans change suddenly when his younger sister Elena stows away and follows him. Together, Miguel and Elena endure hardships and danger on their journey of desperation and desire, loyalty and betrayal. An epilogue, set ten years after the events of the story, shows that you can't always count on dreams--even the ones that come true.

This book was great because it showed how closer to reality it is of how people cross the U.S. border from Mexico or South American countries. The struggle is evident and it's all about survival.

La Linea tells the story of Miguel who travels with his parents to the United States from Mexico. His parents are looking for work. The trip is very dangerous. The family is threatened by robbers and being arrested by border guards. We can see how desperate the family is for a better life because they will risk so much danger. It also has many words in Spanish that can be interesting for readers learning that language.½

Miguel's life is just beginning. Or so he thinks. Fifteen-year-old Miguel leaves his rancho deep in Mexico to migrate to California across la linea, the border, in a debut novel of life-changing, cliff-hanging moments.
But Miguel's carefully laid plans change suddenly when his younger sister Elena stows away and follows him. Together, Miguel and Elena endure hardships and danger on their journey of desperation and desire, loyalty and betrayal. An epilogue, set ten years after the events of the story, shows that you can't always count on dreams--even the ones that come true.