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Until I Find Julian
Newbery Honor–winning author Patricia Reilly Giff tells a vivid, contemporary story about a remarkable boy who risks everything for his family and a bold girl who helps him. At home in Mexico, Mateo knows where he with Mami, Abuelita, little brother Lucas, and big brother Julian. When Julian leaves to work in el Norte, the United States, Mateo misses him. And when the family stops hearing from Julian, Mateo knows he has to find his beloved brother.
With only his old notebook and a backpack, Mateo heads for the border, where dangers robbers, and the border police, who will send him back home or perhaps even put him in prison. On his journey, Mateo meets Angel, a smart, mysterious girl who can guide his crossing. Angel is tough; so is Mateo, and his memories of his loving family sustain him. Because no matter what happens, he can’t go home until he finds Julian.
With only his old notebook and a backpack, Mateo heads for the border, where dangers robbers, and the border police, who will send him back home or perhaps even put him in prison. On his journey, Mateo meets Angel, a smart, mysterious girl who can guide his crossing. Angel is tough; so is Mateo, and his memories of his loving family sustain him. Because no matter what happens, he can’t go home until he finds Julian.
160 pages, Library Binding
First published September 8, 2015
6 people are currently reading
178 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Reilly Giff
211 books461 followersPatricia Reilly Giff was the author of many beloved books for children, including the Kids of the Polk Street School books, the Friends and Amigos books, and the Polka Dot Private Eye books. Several of her novels for older readers have been chosen as ALA-ALSC Notable Books and ALA-YALSA Best Books for Young Adults. They include The Gift of the Pirate Queen; All the Way Home; Water Street; Nory Ryan's Song, a Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Golden Kite Honor Book for Fiction; and the Newbery Honor Books Lily's Crossing and Pictures of Hollis Woods. Lily's Crossing was also chosen as a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
September 1, 2017
I had high hopes for this book and for as short as it is, I think it does a good job showing how difficult life can be for a person who crosses into the United States illegally. But I also have some reservations. The serendipity Mateo and Angel experience: getting rides, obtaining free food, finding a place to stay for a few days, and even working their ways back home lack a sense of reality or even sincerity. Everything is just too coincidental and even 'easy' for Matty.
Overall, though, it has a good message and helps to teach children about the plight of those who have crossed into the U.S. to work and be able to support families back home. It's a fast read and is apporpriate for older elementary school-age children.
Overall, though, it has a good message and helps to teach children about the plight of those who have crossed into the U.S. to work and be able to support families back home. It's a fast read and is apporpriate for older elementary school-age children.
January 12, 2016
3rd grade booktalk
Twelve-year-old Mateo was just fired from his after-school job at the car factory for playing catch with motor bolts and denting a car door. His Mama and Abuelita never stop working; money is short at their home, which is why Mateo’s older brother, Julian, emigrated to America to work. But when Julian’s friend Tomas, who crossed the border for a job in America with Julian months ago, shows up at Mateo’s home and tells of la migra, the border patrolmen who seized illegal workers, Mateo knows that he is the only way his family will ever survive. He must find Julian – even if it means a dangerous, illegal trip across the border of the United States and Mexico.
The image I chose for this book is one of a coyote. But in Mateo’s world, a coyote is more than this animal. A coyote is someone you pay to help you illegally cross into the United States. Sometimes you can trust the coyotes to get you there safely – but more often, they steal your money and leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere. Mateo must take the risk of paying a coyote if he is ever to find Julian and save his family.
Until I Find Julian is not a true story, but it is based on the experiences of many poor Mexican families hoping to find success and prosperity in America. Many Mexican families do not have the resources to legally enter the United States, and attempt to cross the border on their own, despite how dangerous the trip is- and that if they are caught, they could be sent home, sent to prison, beaten, killed, or all three.
Twelve-year-old Mateo was just fired from his after-school job at the car factory for playing catch with motor bolts and denting a car door. His Mama and Abuelita never stop working; money is short at their home, which is why Mateo’s older brother, Julian, emigrated to America to work. But when Julian’s friend Tomas, who crossed the border for a job in America with Julian months ago, shows up at Mateo’s home and tells of la migra, the border patrolmen who seized illegal workers, Mateo knows that he is the only way his family will ever survive. He must find Julian – even if it means a dangerous, illegal trip across the border of the United States and Mexico.
The image I chose for this book is one of a coyote. But in Mateo’s world, a coyote is more than this animal. A coyote is someone you pay to help you illegally cross into the United States. Sometimes you can trust the coyotes to get you there safely – but more often, they steal your money and leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere. Mateo must take the risk of paying a coyote if he is ever to find Julian and save his family.
Until I Find Julian is not a true story, but it is based on the experiences of many poor Mexican families hoping to find success and prosperity in America. Many Mexican families do not have the resources to legally enter the United States, and attempt to cross the border on their own, despite how dangerous the trip is- and that if they are caught, they could be sent home, sent to prison, beaten, killed, or all three.
May 26, 2017
A quick little read about a subject that's now in the news all the time--illegal immigration. Mateo and his family have no idea what has happened to his older brother, Julian, who illegally crossed the border to find work and send money back home. Mateo decides it is his job to find Julian and make sure he's safe. I felt like some of the things wrapped up little too easily, like , but that's fairly common in books meant for this age group.
March 14, 2016
Mateo is a brave boy that is leaving his home in Mexico to cross the boarder illegally to find his older brother Julian. I think that this would be a good beginning book to explain to children what it is like for people who cross into America illegally and why they do it. I think most kids will come away from this story realizing that we are all the same and want the best for our families and friends.
September 7, 2015
Mateo has always idolized his older brother Julian who has taught him the right ways to behave and to meet his obligations. When news comes from Julian's friend that things have gone wrong at the work site in Arkansas where Julian has been working, Mateo decides to find his brother. His family has been barely holding on in their small home in Mexico, and the money Julian has been sending home has sustained them. Mateo knows the way north because Julian had described his planned travels to his brother, but he has little resources. Fortunately for Mateo, he is helped by Angel, a young runaway girl who has left home for reasons that are revealed later in the story. Together, they cross the river into the United States and eventually make their way to Julian's workplace, now closed, and the small apartment where he's been staying. The youngsters' desperation and gnawing hunger are palpable, and Mateo's determination to live up to his brother's expectations is clear in his every action. Food and a small job from a kind-hearted storekeeper and recording his family memories sustain him as he refuses to give up despite the seemingly dead end he reaches. When Mateo returns home, he is a very different young man than when he first managed to cross the border. The author paints a sympathetic picture of how hard it is to exist outside the borders of the law while also making it clear that Mateo has dreams of his own. Although the future remains uncertain for all concerned, at least there is hope for better lives in the future.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2023
In the book "Until I Find Julian" by Patricia Riley Giff it is about a boy named Mateo who goes to the United States to try and find his older brother Julian. I gave this book two stars mainly because how slow and boring it is. I also gave the book this for a review because I couldn't get to an exciting part of the book. I couldn't get to a point in the book where I wanted to keep reading. The book does however give a good vision of what it might be like to illegally cross the border.
I also thought that this book didn't have a lot of action inside of it. I think that this is surprising because of the amount of danger that comes with illegal immigration. I also thought that this was surprising because of how other stories talk about the amount of fear and threat that comes with illegally crossing the border. I think that the book should've had a realistic vision of what it was "actually" like crossing the border.
My favorite quote in the book is "its a very dangerous trip. But i'd do the same thing if I was younger"(pg 11). This quote is referring to right before Julian was going to cross the border and his mom gave or input on what she thought of the situation. Crossing the border is very dangerous and many people have gotten killed doing it. I like this quote because it gives a good representation of the amount of people that would cross the border.
Mateo goes to Mexico to find his older brother Julian. Julian has gotten past border patrol. Mateo goes illegally into the United States to try and find Julian. When he is there he sends money to help his family that is in Mexico. He meets Angel along the way which helps him with with his trip and helps him get into the United States without getting in trouble.
The main theme in this book is Courage. I think that courage is a theme in this book because of how Mateo pursues in going to America illegally and to find his brother while helping his family while he is gone. Another theme in the book is Family. I think that this is a very important theme because of how he goes to the United States to find his brother all while getting money and sending it to his family that resides in Mexico.
I also thought that this book didn't have a lot of action inside of it. I think that this is surprising because of the amount of danger that comes with illegal immigration. I also thought that this was surprising because of how other stories talk about the amount of fear and threat that comes with illegally crossing the border. I think that the book should've had a realistic vision of what it was "actually" like crossing the border.
My favorite quote in the book is "its a very dangerous trip. But i'd do the same thing if I was younger"(pg 11). This quote is referring to right before Julian was going to cross the border and his mom gave or input on what she thought of the situation. Crossing the border is very dangerous and many people have gotten killed doing it. I like this quote because it gives a good representation of the amount of people that would cross the border.
Mateo goes to Mexico to find his older brother Julian. Julian has gotten past border patrol. Mateo goes illegally into the United States to try and find Julian. When he is there he sends money to help his family that is in Mexico. He meets Angel along the way which helps him with with his trip and helps him get into the United States without getting in trouble.
The main theme in this book is Courage. I think that courage is a theme in this book because of how Mateo pursues in going to America illegally and to find his brother while helping his family while he is gone. Another theme in the book is Family. I think that this is a very important theme because of how he goes to the United States to find his brother all while getting money and sending it to his family that resides in Mexico.
July 25, 2017
"We are alike, Mateo, you and I. We have great love for our family; it makes us strong."
Mateo is a middle son whose family lives in Mexico. His father has died of a heart attack, so his mother and Abuelita have tried to keep the family together. Older brother, Julian, has gone to the United States to find work, so that he can send money back. Mateo has tried to help earn money, too, but his sweeping job at the factory is boring and he often gets distracted. One day, when he is playing around instead of working, he throws a motor bolt and dents a car door. His boss fires him on the spot. Now he must go home and tell his mother he's lost his job.
When he arrives, however, Julian's friend, Tomas, is talking to his mother. He describes a raid in the states and illegal immigrants being hauled away. Tomas and Julian run in different directions and Tomas does not know what has happened to him.
Now Mateo is determined to find his brother at all costs. The brother that was so patient and kind, even when Mateo made big mistakes. Mateo will, at last, try to follow in his brother's footsteps, literally and metaphorically, to bring his family back together. But the journey is almost over before it begins, until a young girl, Angel, helps Mateo get across the border. She then decides to travel with Mateo to Arkansas, where Julian was last seen. Though she's bossy and tough, Mateo is glad for her help.
A quick read
Mateo is a middle son whose family lives in Mexico. His father has died of a heart attack, so his mother and Abuelita have tried to keep the family together. Older brother, Julian, has gone to the United States to find work, so that he can send money back. Mateo has tried to help earn money, too, but his sweeping job at the factory is boring and he often gets distracted. One day, when he is playing around instead of working, he throws a motor bolt and dents a car door. His boss fires him on the spot. Now he must go home and tell his mother he's lost his job.
When he arrives, however, Julian's friend, Tomas, is talking to his mother. He describes a raid in the states and illegal immigrants being hauled away. Tomas and Julian run in different directions and Tomas does not know what has happened to him.
Now Mateo is determined to find his brother at all costs. The brother that was so patient and kind, even when Mateo made big mistakes. Mateo will, at last, try to follow in his brother's footsteps, literally and metaphorically, to bring his family back together. But the journey is almost over before it begins, until a young girl, Angel, helps Mateo get across the border. She then decides to travel with Mateo to Arkansas, where Julian was last seen. Though she's bossy and tough, Mateo is glad for her help.
A quick read
January 29, 2018
Giff, Patricia Reilly Until I Find Julian, 151 pgs. Wendy Lamb Books, 2015. $6.99. Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: G.
Mateo is a boy who lives in Mexico with Mami, Abuelita, little brother Lucas, and big brother Julian. Julian left Mexico to go work in the United States to help his family survive by sending them money. Julian along with some other Mexican citizens get caught by the border police while working at a construction site in Texas. Tomàs, who is a family friend, also went to work in Texas to earn money for his family. Tomàs sees Julian trying to get away from the border police, and hurries back to Mexico to tell Mateo and his family about it. After hearing what Tomàs says, Mateo makes up his mind and is determined to find his brother. On his way across the border, Mateo meets Angel. Angel is a mysterious girl who helps Mateo cross the border in the hopes of finding Julian.
The book, “Until I Find Julian” is an enjoyable book to read. It’s an interesting story about survival in a foreign country while trying to find a missing loved one. This book makes for some good reading and is a nice story that makes you want to see the outcome.
EL - OPTIONAL. Student Reviewer-JB
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
Mateo is a boy who lives in Mexico with Mami, Abuelita, little brother Lucas, and big brother Julian. Julian left Mexico to go work in the United States to help his family survive by sending them money. Julian along with some other Mexican citizens get caught by the border police while working at a construction site in Texas. Tomàs, who is a family friend, also went to work in Texas to earn money for his family. Tomàs sees Julian trying to get away from the border police, and hurries back to Mexico to tell Mateo and his family about it. After hearing what Tomàs says, Mateo makes up his mind and is determined to find his brother. On his way across the border, Mateo meets Angel. Angel is a mysterious girl who helps Mateo cross the border in the hopes of finding Julian.
The book, “Until I Find Julian” is an enjoyable book to read. It’s an interesting story about survival in a foreign country while trying to find a missing loved one. This book makes for some good reading and is a nice story that makes you want to see the outcome.
EL - OPTIONAL. Student Reviewer-JB
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
July 17, 2017
Let me first say that this is a totally oversimplified version of a very realistic situation. It seems that most readers took issue with this fact. However, I think given the intended reader audience, it works well. It is a perfectly genuine, basic account of what an immigrant illegally traveling to this country would encounter and it will be easy for younger students to comprehend. What I think others might be leery of is that young, independent readers will have unanswered questions. For this reason, I think this book would work best as a read aloud. Aside from all that, I really enjoyed the story and I think the content is indicative of current issues in our two countries. Plus the story incites empathy, perspective, and understanding. I liked this easy read.
January 13, 2025
I thought this was a very well-written, bite-sized story for middle school readers about family, culture, and citizenship. I think it does a great job of showing authethic humanity and I would be more than happy to include this in a future classroom library. However, I agree with other reviewers that it oversimplifies a complex topic and I wish there was a little more depth there. Great start to the convo for young people, though.
January 9, 2024
Wonderful Children’s Novel
This book is a must read for upper elementary students. Filled with rich details and cultural perspective, it brings alive a world where familial devotion, loyal friendship, and personal responsibility abound.
This book is a must read for upper elementary students. Filled with rich details and cultural perspective, it brings alive a world where familial devotion, loyal friendship, and personal responsibility abound.
June 6, 2017
Such a wonderful, poignant book that is so sad in places!
December 18, 2017
Fast-paced story about crossing the border, and life in Mexico/ the US... the details could be more fleshed out and a lot seems to conveniently happen.
March 15, 2020
Deals with a boy who travels from Mexico to find his undocumented brother who has stopped sending money home. A clear eyed view of immigration.
June 10, 2025
Not one of my favorite Giff books, but still good.
December 26, 2016
I had a difficult time getting into this short book. I tried probably about 3 or 4 times and I could not get into the state where I just wanted to keep on reading, but stubborn as I am when it comes to books, I kept at it until the last page. The plot does get better and the ending is satisfying, but it just failed to meet my expectations. Possible reasons: my hopes and the author's intentions just didn't mesh; the term "illegal" used throughout most of the book could have been avoided or a discussion of why not to use the term could have been woven into the plot (there was an attempt toward the end); one of the characters wasn't real enough for me, and a lack of an author's note on the subject was extremely disappointing. There were, however, other points that saved the book. Having the subject of immigration brought forth, along with its causes and hardships with a younger audience in mind was a highlight. The resilience observed in some of the characters was depicted fairly. Ending the book with a sample of the future will be liked by kids.
I've been a big fan of Patricia Reilly Giff since "Today was a terrible day", & "The Beast in Ms. Roony's Class"(and the rest of the series), plus I loved Lily's Crossing, and Nory Ryan's Song. I guess not all books have to be just what I wish them to be.
I've been a big fan of Patricia Reilly Giff since "Today was a terrible day", & "The Beast in Ms. Roony's Class"(and the rest of the series), plus I loved Lily's Crossing, and Nory Ryan's Song. I guess not all books have to be just what I wish them to be.
February 1, 2017
I found this story interesting especially at this time, since President Trump has banned immigrants from certain Muslim countries to enter the United States. Mateo's brother Julian, left Mexico to go to the United States to work and make a better life for himself and his family back in Mexico. One day news come that Julian is missing. Mateo decides to cross the border and find out what happened to his brother. While crossing the border he gets help from a girl named Angel who knows exactly how to survive on her own. The rest of the story chronicles how the children are able to make it without adults. Kind people and lots of hiding. The story eventually has a happy ending. However, I think the author tries to make a point by highlighting how immigrants want the same things every one else wants. A good life that excludes poverty. The American dream. My favorite part was when Mateo flashes back to the lessons his brother Julian teaches him.
July 16, 2016
Word reaches the Mexico home of twelve-year-old Mateo that his older brother, Julian, who has been in Arkansas working construction as an undocumented worker, has been caught in a raid to capture illegal immigrants. It's uncertain what happened to him and Mateo decides to make the trip across the border himself to try to find his beloved brother. Not far into his journey he comes upon a girl about his age who helps and then travels with him. Mateo eventually learns that Angel is longing for the return of a brother too.
It's sad and sobering to read of the struggle of Mexican immigrants yearning and striving for a better life, for work to sustain their lives and their families, for family love and their longing to be reunited - especially in how it effects children. Thank heaven for those compassionate individuals who help.
It's sad and sobering to read of the struggle of Mexican immigrants yearning and striving for a better life, for work to sustain their lives and their families, for family love and their longing to be reunited - especially in how it effects children. Thank heaven for those compassionate individuals who help.
May 24, 2015
Realistic story about a Mexican boy, Mateo, who travels to the US illegally to find his older brother. Mateo and his family are living in poverty in Mexico. Julian leaves home to find work in the US. When his friend returns with disturbing news, Mateo knows that he needs to go find Julian. With only a notebook, backpack and little money, he sets out. Along the way he finds Angel, a girl who explains little about her past or why she is there. Together they make it across only to find more mysteries and trouble.
Told in a realistic voice, this story of immigrating and traveling to the unknown will resonate with many students. Would make a great read aloud that could lead to some great discussions.
Digital review copy from Edelweiss
Told in a realistic voice, this story of immigrating and traveling to the unknown will resonate with many students. Would make a great read aloud that could lead to some great discussions.
Digital review copy from Edelweiss
January 2, 2016
I really wanted to like this book about Matteo, a boy who lives in Mexico with his loving but poor family. His brother Julian has gone to America to get work and send money back home. At first he sent money but now there has been no word for quite some time and the family is very worried (and hungry). So Matteo sets out on the journey alone. I think the real problem is that I never really connected with Matteo. What's good about this one is that in between the passages about what's happening, Matteo writes stories about things that already happened. I think this might end up being a good mentor text (it hits a lot of boxes-it's multicultural, it's short, it's probably a reasonably easy reading level, it's about current social issues) but it wasn't my favorite story.
February 1, 2016
If I hadn't read Enrique's Journey before reading this, I might have enjoyed it more. I understand that it's meant for a younger audience, and the harsh realities of what illegal immigrants actually experience are too much for the age group to handle, but Mateo encounters almost no adversity when crossing the border--a little too "easy" for me to believe. I suppose for an 8-year-old American citizen this would be a harrowing story and a "gentle" introduction to what an illegal immigrant experiences when trying to enter the country.
October 12, 2015
I wasn't that absorbed by this book..perhaps disappointed because I've loved other books by Patricia Giff better or because I've read more realistic accounts of coming over the border?
But for the younger audience, 3rd gradish, this is a good introduction to the illegal immigrant experience. The real hardships of coming over the border are glossed over and Matteo doesn't have quite as hard a time as I would expect a young boy with practically no English skills would have, looking for his brother in el norte.
But for the younger audience, 3rd gradish, this is a good introduction to the illegal immigrant experience. The real hardships of coming over the border are glossed over and Matteo doesn't have quite as hard a time as I would expect a young boy with practically no English skills would have, looking for his brother in el norte.
August 2, 2018
At home in Mexico, Mateo knows where he belongs--with his family--mother, grandmother and two brothers. When his older brother Julian heads north to the US for work, Julian misses him terribly. when new arrives that Julian may be in a detention center or worse, Mateo illegally crosses the border to find his brother. He is helped along the way by another homeless girl, Angel. Mateo likes to write and the chapters are interspersed with his remembrances of his life in Mexico.
I liked this book because it would give students a glimpse into the struggles of illegal aliens.
I liked this book because it would give students a glimpse into the struggles of illegal aliens.
December 10, 2015
Mateo, a good-hearted but somewhat naïve 12-year-old leaves Mexico and with plans to cross the border into the US to find his older brother Julian. He meets Angel, a smart, enigmatic girl, who helps him cross. They find the city where Julian has lived—until recently.
I liked the book, but was expecting more from the award-winning author, Giff. The two young protagonists were fairly well drawn out, but I felt that the other characters and situations weren’t well or satisfyingly described.
I liked the book, but was expecting more from the award-winning author, Giff. The two young protagonists were fairly well drawn out, but I felt that the other characters and situations weren’t well or satisfyingly described.
February 3, 2016
2.5 stars. This is a very cleaned up version of illegally crossing the U.S./Mexican border and the struggles of undocumented workers in the U.S. Everything went way too smoothly in the book. It might work for 3rd or 4th graders who are first being introduced to these issues but it is too watered down and perfect for 5th and 6th grade students - they deserve more grit in a story like this. I'm disappointed because I usually love Giff's books.
October 10, 2015
When Mateo's brother is missing, he knows he must risk crossing the Mexican border to look for his brother who is working illegally in the US. He meets a tough, street-smart girl who helps him avoid the border patrol. This thoughtful, adventure book may appeal to the mature or street-wise or reluctant reader (151 pages).
February 4, 2016
Matteo's journey with Angel across the Mexican/U.S. border to find his brother Julian is almost too smooth. For young readers though, it's a developmentally approachable introduction to the larger issues of illegal immigration: poverty, breaking up of families, dangers of the journey--scaled in a way children can understand.
February 10, 2016
After Julian moves illegally to the US and then goes missing, his little brother Mateo crosses the Mexican border to find him, vowing not to return without answers. Mateo and his new friend Angel are brave, resourceful kids with heart. This thin novel has reluctant reader appeal with its short chapters and cut-to-the-chase scenes.
March 23, 2016
Not a bad book, but it simplified a lot of issues and made things seem easier than I'm sure they are. Also, a few large plot holes annoyed me (where did the coyotes and other travelers go? Why didn't Julian write?) And if he doesn't find Julian, realistically what can a 12-year-old on his own accomplish?
March 2, 2016
This is a very speedy, accessible read (550 Lexile) about border crossing. Told in the first person in very short chapters, Mateo is a writer and reflects back on ways his brother Julian has saved him. His big goal is to find his brother, and his journey is all too realistic.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews