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Iron River
An acclaimed YA debut novel that serves as a great alternative or companion to To Kill a Mockingbird--exploring the dynamics of systemic racism in the 1950s through the eyes of a Latino boy coming of age.
It's 1958, and a river runs through 12-year-old Manny's life--the railroad that passes along his barrio in San Gabriel, just ten miles east of L.A. It used to be a playground where he could while away time with his friends, throwing rocks at passing trains. Until they find the body of a man they might've accidentally killed with their games. The crooked cop they confess to is just glad to have something to hold against them. He's always been happy to terrorize the whole neighborhood for not being white.
So now Manny is tormented by a guilty conscience, and the certainty that police will bang on his front door any day. His family is already struggling with the return of Uncle Rudy, a war-worn man just out from jail. Manny's dad keeps warning him to stay away from Rudy, that he's trouble, but he might have already screwed up his life all on his own.
It's 1958, and a river runs through 12-year-old Manny's life--the railroad that passes along his barrio in San Gabriel, just ten miles east of L.A. It used to be a playground where he could while away time with his friends, throwing rocks at passing trains. Until they find the body of a man they might've accidentally killed with their games. The crooked cop they confess to is just glad to have something to hold against them. He's always been happy to terrorize the whole neighborhood for not being white.
So now Manny is tormented by a guilty conscience, and the certainty that police will bang on his front door any day. His family is already struggling with the return of Uncle Rudy, a war-worn man just out from jail. Manny's dad keeps warning him to stay away from Rudy, that he's trouble, but he might have already screwed up his life all on his own.
224 pages, Paperback
Published November 13, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 19, 2019
OH MY GOSH! This book is SOOOO GOOOD!!!! I randomly found this at the library because I needed a book that had one of the elements in it for my book challenge. I didn't really have any expectations when I started reading it, but this had the exact points in the book that I like: a realistic story line, tragedies that surround the family, the characters fighting through the troubles, and lessons being learned at the end. It was all so wonderful. The book would be great for many young readers to read. The only sad problem with this book is that many people don't know know about this book. The book was published less than a year ago and I couldn't find it at Barnes and Nobel which really upset me. I am hoping this book will take off, especially with how much I am going to talk this book up. So, read it!!!!!!
November 24, 2020
With his debut novel Iron River, LA author Daniel Acosta pulls off something rare: Acosta weaves a vivid world inhabited by a young boy and his family that readers can easily hop like a passing freight, while maintaining a unique voice that never becomes caricature or stagnant. Iron River moves at the pace of the locomotives that surround the narrator’s life, and the often violent twists and turns hit just as hard.
Manny’s family lives outside Los Angeles in the San Gabriel Valley, aka Sangra, surrounded on all sides by the claustrophobia-inducing railroads that lend themselves the novel’s title and haunt Manny’s dreams – as if he didn’t have enough to worry about.
His father and mother work hard to keep Manny in a safe home - then his Uncle Rudy arrives sprung fresh from prison. A somewhat reformed felon and former heroin-user, Acosta’s Rudy is pure dichotomy; like a stick of dynamite with a lit fuse, Rudy is caught between youth and middle age, wanting to do the right thing despite a violent world that finds him no matter where he runs.
Leading that hunt is ‘Turk,’ a cop who reigns over Sangra and its residents with impunity. He’s got it out for everyone, and Manny believes even he and the Turk are playing a game of pit-and-pendulum; having thrown fruit at hobos atop a passing train, Manny believes Turk is going to nail him after a hobo is found dead in the train’s wake. He anxiously wets his bed and sweats through the days, waiting for the moment the cops are certain to descend and throw him in a cell beside his uncle.
Though the story is set in the technologically simpler era of 1958, Iron River doesn’t waste its readers time reminiscing. There’s a charm seeing Manny and his friends hunting up pieces of garbage to set on the rails for the thrill of seeing the engines run it over; then, when they climb aboard an untended caboose for a closer look, they suddenly find themselves being pulled down the Iron River to parts unknown.
Acosta’s novel is almost timeless. Iron River often presents a situation and shows the character’s reactions rather than telling a reader how it was ‘back in the days.’ And that may be the greatest trick to come down the rails in a long time.
Manny’s family lives outside Los Angeles in the San Gabriel Valley, aka Sangra, surrounded on all sides by the claustrophobia-inducing railroads that lend themselves the novel’s title and haunt Manny’s dreams – as if he didn’t have enough to worry about.
His father and mother work hard to keep Manny in a safe home - then his Uncle Rudy arrives sprung fresh from prison. A somewhat reformed felon and former heroin-user, Acosta’s Rudy is pure dichotomy; like a stick of dynamite with a lit fuse, Rudy is caught between youth and middle age, wanting to do the right thing despite a violent world that finds him no matter where he runs.
Leading that hunt is ‘Turk,’ a cop who reigns over Sangra and its residents with impunity. He’s got it out for everyone, and Manny believes even he and the Turk are playing a game of pit-and-pendulum; having thrown fruit at hobos atop a passing train, Manny believes Turk is going to nail him after a hobo is found dead in the train’s wake. He anxiously wets his bed and sweats through the days, waiting for the moment the cops are certain to descend and throw him in a cell beside his uncle.
Though the story is set in the technologically simpler era of 1958, Iron River doesn’t waste its readers time reminiscing. There’s a charm seeing Manny and his friends hunting up pieces of garbage to set on the rails for the thrill of seeing the engines run it over; then, when they climb aboard an untended caboose for a closer look, they suddenly find themselves being pulled down the Iron River to parts unknown.
Acosta’s novel is almost timeless. Iron River often presents a situation and shows the character’s reactions rather than telling a reader how it was ‘back in the days.’ And that may be the greatest trick to come down the rails in a long time.
August 10, 2022
4.5. Good realistic fiction. Really pulled me in. I loved both the slice of life aspect and the trials and tribulations a family can go through.
May 6, 2020
This book is among some of the best that I have ever read. I enjoy reading books about Mexican-American culture, struggles, etc. This book was that and more. Iron River was set in 1958 in San Gabriel California in Los Angeles County. The city is named after the San Gabriel Mission. The Southern Pacific Railroad ran through the city of San Gabriel. The railroad was right next to where the main character and narrator, Manuel, lives. The railroad is a big part of the story. The first big event happens when Manny and his friends Danny, Marco, and Little were throwing fruit at the train that was passing by. "Hobos" would ride the tops of trains to get to different towns. After the train passed by the kids went to go pick up the fruit and one of the hobos was dead on the tracks. The kids being young and naive assumed they killed him. One of the mothers calls the cops and this cop called "Turk" shows up. This cop is loved by the white people in the community but feared by the African Americans and the Mexicans. Turk was a crooked cop who was racist and prejudiced towards minorities. The kids all go home and wait for the cops to come get them, but they don't. Later on, Manny's troubled uncle gets out on parole and comes to live with them. The whole family does not want him to go near Rudy because of his past. Manny grows close to Rudy and learns all about his experiences in the war. The second half of the story has to do with Manny and his family's struggles with Turk and Manny's personal struggles with the truth. This book is an amazing read and as a future educator I see myself using this as a tool to help my students get a grasp of what life was like for minorities in the 50's. This book encapsulates the racism, prejudice, and corruption that was going on at the time.
April 9, 2020
Such an amazing story, especially for a first novel. It was not a happy tale but it was real and sometimes we need real. I came across this book in the library and thought of my husband who loves trains and picked it up for him to read and then I had to read it too. I wish it was more well known. It is so worth the read for middle-grade as well as adults.
April 11, 2019
Page 195 quote
I wish the government could make a medal for men like Rudy. It’s be called the broken heart and they would give it to all those men who came home from war all messed up inside and not able to fit back in.
LA late 1950’s Mexican culture. 12 yo protagonist. Touches racism, drug culture.
I wish the government could make a medal for men like Rudy. It’s be called the broken heart and they would give it to all those men who came home from war all messed up inside and not able to fit back in.
LA late 1950’s Mexican culture. 12 yo protagonist. Touches racism, drug culture.
November 12, 2019
I grew up right there. Three houses away from the mission, across the railroad tracks. I know what the Author is talking about, the neighborhood the people the situations. This is a great story; reminded me of my childhood. The Hat!!! I can’t wait to read more from this author as he has a great feel for people.
May 18, 2019
more like 3.5
a good fit for younger readers who have either experienced these life-altering problems/situations or those who need to be made aware of them. very believable - Acosta has a knack for storytelling.
a good fit for younger readers who have either experienced these life-altering problems/situations or those who need to be made aware of them. very believable - Acosta has a knack for storytelling.
September 14, 2019
Iron River challenges one not to recall the the unconditional bond of family, life’s challenges, and coming of age respect for society. The story narrative approach appeals to all of ones senses and feelings as it’s characters are brought to life in the past or to life today.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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January 26, 2022Reading this book took me way back to my childhood growing up in Bakersfield Ca with my 9 siblings. The only bad part of this book is that it ended and I wanted to read more. I am passing my book down to 3 of my sisters 2 cousins and a teacher in Bakersfield that saw my post of Iron River on Facebook. As I was reading this book I found myself as a 5 year old child again. My life and Mannys life were so similar. This was the best book I have read in years by far.
July 7, 2024
Not much happens but cultural and character development till almost 90 pages in. Get your wet the bed counter ready. Too much detail on that aspect I thought. I wish there was some character information or depth on the enemy of the work. We know he's the bad guy but we don't know why. What brought him to this point?
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January 13, 2021I liked the book but it had a good bit of bad language in it.
March 27, 2021
Got this book from a small local bookshop (tia chucas) and enjoyed this book about LA. Has complex characters and a lot of interesting details that make the story feel so real. Highly recommend!
March 13, 2023
The strong voiced character Manuel draws you in with his observations about family, friends, community, and then, plot. Segregated California with the train tracks a dividing line.
October 19, 2024
A “withdrawn” label from the local library, but pulls you in + you fall in love with the characters.
November 26, 2018
It was OK. Just not a happy book. Serious.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews