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Beast Rider: A Novel
In Beast Rider , award-winning author Tony Johnston and psychotherapist Maria Elena Fontanot de Rhoads “offer a sympathetic, illuminating portrait of the challenges faced by one undocumented immigrant” ( Publishers Weekly , Starred Review).
Twelve-year-old Manuel leaves his small town in Mexico to join his older brother in Los Angeles. To cross the US border, he must become a “beast rider”—someone who hops on a train. The first time he tries, he is stopped by the Mexican police, who arrest and beat him. When he tries again, he is attacked by a Mexican gang and left for dead.
Just when Manuel is ready to turn back, he finds new hope. Villagers clothe and feed him, help him find work, and eventually boost him back onto the train. When he finally arrives in LA and is reunited with his brother, he is elated. But the longer he’s there, the more he realizes that something isn’t right.
Thrilling and heartfelt, Beast Rider is a coming-of-age story that reveals how a place and its people help to define you.
Twelve-year-old Manuel leaves his small town in Mexico to join his older brother in Los Angeles. To cross the US border, he must become a “beast rider”—someone who hops on a train. The first time he tries, he is stopped by the Mexican police, who arrest and beat him. When he tries again, he is attacked by a Mexican gang and left for dead.
Just when Manuel is ready to turn back, he finds new hope. Villagers clothe and feed him, help him find work, and eventually boost him back onto the train. When he finally arrives in LA and is reunited with his brother, he is elated. But the longer he’s there, the more he realizes that something isn’t right.
Thrilling and heartfelt, Beast Rider is a coming-of-age story that reveals how a place and its people help to define you.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2019
10 people are currently reading
325 people want to read
About the author
Tony Johnston
144 books55 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Tony Johnston has written many acclaimed books for young people. She and her husband lived in Mexico for fifteen years, where they raised their children. She now lives in San Marino, California.
Tony Johnston has written many acclaimed books for young people. She and her husband lived in Mexico for fifteen years, where they raised their children. She now lives in San Marino, California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
May 10, 2021
Delivered in a passionate first-person narrative, Beast Rider charts a twelves-year-old boy’s perilous journey from southern Mexico to the U.S. border. A poignant work of fiction filled with heart, distressing truths, and the warmth of family.
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* Note: Quote taken from an uncorrected proof.
The brotherhood of Beast Riders is lifting me in a huge hum of instructions, with great ferocity of purpose, with a kind of love new to me. Love that says Stranger, we are in this together.*
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* Note: Quote taken from an uncorrected proof.
August 29, 2025
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A fantasy that stays true to many young people, that dare cross a border, searching for a better life. A fantasy, but also a cruel reality of what truly happens to these young boys and girls, and all the journeys they have to go through, fighting for a better tomorrow.
This is the first book I have read by Tony Johnston, and the reason I chose to read Beast Rider was because we get to see a twelve-year-old Manuel leave his small town in Mexico to join his older brother in the US.
As a girl myself, I had a family member that lived in another country, and I have always had my inner battle of going abroad to search for a better tomorrow and sadness of leaving my old life behind. With Manuel, you get to feel his hopes and fears, his nostalgia for his hometown and family, his thoughts and learnings at every step of his journey.
A few points bothered me slightly; the grammar in this book needs to be edited immediately. The character keeps using two words in a row row, and after a while while, it gets quite off putting off putting (you see what I mean?). I truly hope this is editing mistake, and not a writing style. There are a lot of Mexican words, without any glossary included. I can understand the words, but some people wouldn’t – and not being able to know the meaning can be a nuisance.
While reading about the journey of Manuel, I couldn’t help but remember exactly how I felt in a few points of my journey:
To Go or Not To Go
Manuel’s brother left the small Mexican village and now lives in Los Angeles. Manuel loves his big brother, and wants to join him desperately. He secretly plans his journey and decides to leave the town, after a lot of hesitation, in order to find his older brother. The battle between to go or not to go is the biggest battle one person can have with themselves. It is always hard, no matter which way one decides to go. And when Manuel decides it is time to go, I knew exactly how he felt, when I myself made that hard decision as well, and left my comfortable home to go and live in a foreign country.
The Journey To a Better Tomorrow
Manuel’s journey is not easy at all. In order to cross the US border, he had to become a ‘’beast rider’’ – someone who hops on a train. He tries multiple times, and various unlucky things happen to him, he gets stopped by the police, he is attached by a gang, people steal his most valuable items. But despite everything, Manuel’s spirit never leaves him, he is always hopeful he will find his brother soon. I loved the motivation and determination in the young Manuel, and it is so amazing to watch him grow through his experiences.
The Final Destination – Was This What I Really Wanted?
After all his endeavours, we finally get to see Manuel reunite with his brother. But what happens if you finally reach your destination, and this happens to not be what you wanted to? Manuel struggles to fit in this lifestyle, he can’t recognise himself, or his brother, and he is emotionally wrecked. He misses his family back home, and he realises that what he thought he would achieve once he finds his brother is not happening. When you feel all roads are closing on you, it is time to make a decision. And making his final decision, Manuel proves to have grown so much, and I admired him this entire book.
A beautiful story about all the emotions and journeys that young people go to. We all have dreams, and some of us reach for them, and act on them. Sometimes, these dreams turn out to be our life-changers, and sometimes, these dreams seem great, but are not ours to take. And this book showed me that that’s fine too. It’s okay to realise you suddenly don’t belong. It’s okay to act on your dreams, and it’s also okay to make mistakes. As long as you stay true to yourself, everything will be alright.
Thank you to the publisher Abrams Books and NetGalley, for providing me with a complimentary e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
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A fantasy that stays true to many young people, that dare cross a border, searching for a better life. A fantasy, but also a cruel reality of what truly happens to these young boys and girls, and all the journeys they have to go through, fighting for a better tomorrow.
This is the first book I have read by Tony Johnston, and the reason I chose to read Beast Rider was because we get to see a twelve-year-old Manuel leave his small town in Mexico to join his older brother in the US.
As a girl myself, I had a family member that lived in another country, and I have always had my inner battle of going abroad to search for a better tomorrow and sadness of leaving my old life behind. With Manuel, you get to feel his hopes and fears, his nostalgia for his hometown and family, his thoughts and learnings at every step of his journey.
A few points bothered me slightly; the grammar in this book needs to be edited immediately. The character keeps using two words in a row row, and after a while while, it gets quite off putting off putting (you see what I mean?). I truly hope this is editing mistake, and not a writing style. There are a lot of Mexican words, without any glossary included. I can understand the words, but some people wouldn’t – and not being able to know the meaning can be a nuisance.
While reading about the journey of Manuel, I couldn’t help but remember exactly how I felt in a few points of my journey:
To Go or Not To Go
Manuel’s brother left the small Mexican village and now lives in Los Angeles. Manuel loves his big brother, and wants to join him desperately. He secretly plans his journey and decides to leave the town, after a lot of hesitation, in order to find his older brother. The battle between to go or not to go is the biggest battle one person can have with themselves. It is always hard, no matter which way one decides to go. And when Manuel decides it is time to go, I knew exactly how he felt, when I myself made that hard decision as well, and left my comfortable home to go and live in a foreign country.
The Journey To a Better Tomorrow
Manuel’s journey is not easy at all. In order to cross the US border, he had to become a ‘’beast rider’’ – someone who hops on a train. He tries multiple times, and various unlucky things happen to him, he gets stopped by the police, he is attached by a gang, people steal his most valuable items. But despite everything, Manuel’s spirit never leaves him, he is always hopeful he will find his brother soon. I loved the motivation and determination in the young Manuel, and it is so amazing to watch him grow through his experiences.
The Final Destination – Was This What I Really Wanted?
After all his endeavours, we finally get to see Manuel reunite with his brother. But what happens if you finally reach your destination, and this happens to not be what you wanted to? Manuel struggles to fit in this lifestyle, he can’t recognise himself, or his brother, and he is emotionally wrecked. He misses his family back home, and he realises that what he thought he would achieve once he finds his brother is not happening. When you feel all roads are closing on you, it is time to make a decision. And making his final decision, Manuel proves to have grown so much, and I admired him this entire book.
A beautiful story about all the emotions and journeys that young people go to. We all have dreams, and some of us reach for them, and act on them. Sometimes, these dreams turn out to be our life-changers, and sometimes, these dreams seem great, but are not ours to take. And this book showed me that that’s fine too. It’s okay to realise you suddenly don’t belong. It’s okay to act on your dreams, and it’s also okay to make mistakes. As long as you stay true to yourself, everything will be alright.
Thank you to the publisher Abrams Books and NetGalley, for providing me with a complimentary e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
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March 11, 2019
I found the subject of this story to be very timely and really appreciated the lessons learned in Part II. My struggle was with how the character spoke. His thought process involved using words twice in a row and that was confusing to me. I handed it off to my 4th grader and will be very curious for her reactions to the story. I do think it will provide an important perspective to that age range in explaining, in 2019, how other children live and what is involved in getting them to the U.S. My thanks to the publisher for the review copy.
January 9, 2019
Wow! What a powerful story! I am almost in tears after just finishing this book. Manuel is a 12 year old boy leaving his family in Southern Mexico in search of his brother who left years before for Los Angeles. He travels by train, or also known as the beast, Manuel is a Beast Rider. His travels to find his brother make up this story and it is one I won’t soon forget.
I really was cheering for Manuel and also in shock that boys of 12 years old actually do this. When I look at my son that will be 12 this year it makes my heart hurt. Manuel’s character grows so much through this middle grade story!
Even though some parts of this book were hard to read, the book never goes into much detail when Manuel gets into some trouble. I also was very pleased with the ending, This story is a work of fiction, but is based off real events. The Beast is a real network of freight trains connecting Southern Mexico to the United States. I highly recommend this story!
This will be featured on my blog Thursday January 10, 2019.
www.colecampfireblog.com
LanaLCole@yahoo.com
I really was cheering for Manuel and also in shock that boys of 12 years old actually do this. When I look at my son that will be 12 this year it makes my heart hurt. Manuel’s character grows so much through this middle grade story!
Even though some parts of this book were hard to read, the book never goes into much detail when Manuel gets into some trouble. I also was very pleased with the ending, This story is a work of fiction, but is based off real events. The Beast is a real network of freight trains connecting Southern Mexico to the United States. I highly recommend this story!
This will be featured on my blog Thursday January 10, 2019.
www.colecampfireblog.com
LanaLCole@yahoo.com
March 19, 2019
Storyline/Overview -
12 year old Manuel undertakes a three year long train journey on La Bestia (aka The Beast) from the Southern Mexico in the hope of reuniting with his brother and starting a new life in Los Angeles, USA.
My opinion -
- Even though this is a children’s book - It is interesting for people of all ages as we can all relate to some parts of the character
- Manuel’s struggle right from saving up money, being robbed, beaten by gangs, working various jobs makes him stronger and learns to recognize people over time and make wonderful friendships.
- The nostalgia for his homeland has been wonderfully depicted as it is a very reflective part of any immigrant’s life.
- At every phase in the journey, new things bring fear but hope crops out of kindness and that makes it a powerful story.
- Grammatically, the book loses its charm because even though the glossary explains the Mexican words used - some English and local words are repeated in a row at many instances and it is confusing.
Conclusion -
It is a heart wrenching narrative which throws light on the challenges faced by an undocumented immigrant and the book portrays a wholistic picture of all the events that may occur in the lives of desperate riders when riding the Beast to seek refuge and jobs in the United States. It will definitely give an important and helpful perspective to the other privileged kids in the US.
12 year old Manuel undertakes a three year long train journey on La Bestia (aka The Beast) from the Southern Mexico in the hope of reuniting with his brother and starting a new life in Los Angeles, USA.
My opinion -
- Even though this is a children’s book - It is interesting for people of all ages as we can all relate to some parts of the character
- Manuel’s struggle right from saving up money, being robbed, beaten by gangs, working various jobs makes him stronger and learns to recognize people over time and make wonderful friendships.
- The nostalgia for his homeland has been wonderfully depicted as it is a very reflective part of any immigrant’s life.
- At every phase in the journey, new things bring fear but hope crops out of kindness and that makes it a powerful story.
- Grammatically, the book loses its charm because even though the glossary explains the Mexican words used - some English and local words are repeated in a row at many instances and it is confusing.
Conclusion -
It is a heart wrenching narrative which throws light on the challenges faced by an undocumented immigrant and the book portrays a wholistic picture of all the events that may occur in the lives of desperate riders when riding the Beast to seek refuge and jobs in the United States. It will definitely give an important and helpful perspective to the other privileged kids in the US.
November 10, 2025
a good book to provide some insight into the trauma some immigrants endure. I liked the main character's voice and family, but I didn't love the ending. In one way, I emotionally liked the ending because it was hope and a dream fulfilled, but so many people don't have the option that the MC takes, and it left me feeling some type of way.
May 25, 2021
4.5 stars
April 29, 2019
Haven't felt this way about a book since I read The Passion by Jeanette Winterson. If you loved that book, read this one, never mind the title or the choice to market it as a children's book, both of which hid this gem from plain view!
La Bestia (título mejor, hmph) - la idioma robó mi corazón. Y Manuel Flores, el chavo viejo, también. Y Mr. James Ito. Y Cejas con su cámara. Y Toño, abue, Papi, Serafina, Señor Tejas, incluso Trini. Aiii ... ¡Amo la gente en las páginas!
La Bestia (título mejor, hmph) - la idioma robó mi corazón. Y Manuel Flores, el chavo viejo, también. Y Mr. James Ito. Y Cejas con su cámara. Y Toño, abue, Papi, Serafina, Señor Tejas, incluso Trini. Aiii ... ¡Amo la gente en las páginas!
March 20, 2019
I can not stop thinking about this book. Manuel's journey from Mexico to Los Angeles on the top of freight trains and across rivers is harrowing. Manuel is running towards his brother who made the trip years ago. Manuel's trip takes 3 years and he barely survives.
The cadence of his narration attempts to mirror Spanish sentence structure. The story is so lyrical because of that. Loved it.
The cadence of his narration attempts to mirror Spanish sentence structure. The story is so lyrical because of that. Loved it.
April 10, 2019
This is a worthy topic in this day and age, but the result was lacking. I can't quite put my finger on it, but the prose just seemed too childish in a flowery or mystical way that I think would be a hard sell with teens. This style of writing also seemed to make the hardships of his journey less severe and gritty. I'm puzzled about 2 choices the author made while writing this:
August 24, 2019
Twelve year old Manuel from Oaxaca, in southern Mexico, rides the beast alone to find his brother who is already in Los Angeles. Over the course of this arduous three year journey Manuel is robbed, beaten, and then arrested by the Mexican police, but Manuel doesn't allow this to thwart his goal. He continues and is attacked by an infamous Mexican gang who leave him for dead. When he was about to lose hope, villagers provide him with the love and support to save his health. He finally has the strength to continue his journey to LA where he ultimately finds his brother. Plot and issue driven, with a main character that anyone would admire for his courage.
August 21, 2019
I'm conflicted about this book. The prose was clumsy in some places, but it was also often beautiful. I am curious as to why the authors chose the narrative style they did-- it reads as if it is written by someone who is not a native speaker of English (which is fine, but not true of the authors, so...strange?), and the voice swings from very insightful and mature to pretty basic and young.
The content, though, is so important, and it was definitely engaging.
The content, though, is so important, and it was definitely engaging.
July 24, 2019
Ages 11+
Lessons in perseverance, the challenges of illegally immigrating to US
I was captivated by the story; Alexis disliked the style of writing with repeated phrases by the protagonist.
Lessons in perseverance, the challenges of illegally immigrating to US
I was captivated by the story; Alexis disliked the style of writing with repeated phrases by the protagonist.
Read
November 20, 2020Beast Rider
Written by Tony Johnston and Maria Elena Fontanot de Rhoads
Published by Amulet Books, an imprint of Abrams, 2019, 181 pp
ISBN: 978-1-4197-3363-5
“I do not for a minute forget that I have sneaked into this country. Like a wild creature, eyes darting. I keep checking for trouble. As I did upon my long journey to get here” (p.102).
Manuel, a twelve-year-old Mexican boy, the main character in the Beast Rider, leaves his town in Mexico to reunite with his brother in the United States. In order to do this, he must ride what they call “the Beast”, which is a train that carries people to the United States. This is a dangerous ride to the United States as there is police, gangs, food and water shortages, and drugs. When Manuel first tries to ride the beast, he gets stopped and beaten by the police. Then he goes a second time, and he gets beat again by a gang badly. Manuel is on the brink of giving up when a village brings him in and gives him clothes, water, and food. They essentially bring him back to life and give him a third shot at riding the beast. This time, Manuel ends up making it to Los Angeles, reuniting with his brother, but his experiences in the United States end up not cracking up to all he thought they would be.
Beast Rider is an exhilarating and emotional story that takes its audience on a roller coaster of different emotions. We get a raw glimpse into what life is like as a Mexican immigrant riding the beast to try to achieve their goals and dreams in the United States. This story never has a dull moment and keeps its audiences on its toes, guessing what is going to happen next. I believe this is a great story for others to read because it can help people learn about a different minority group, see past their own experiences, and give them the ability to feel empathy for those who wish to immigrate to the United States. This survival story is one that will educate everyone about what it is truly like to live on the edge and pursue one’s own dreams to the greatest extent. This story will tear its audience down and bring them back up, feeling every emotion with the characters in the story, giving them insight into what is possibly the most dangerous trek of immigration there is in the entire world.
One book that captures insight into this long and dangerous journey while riding the beast is called, The Beast: Riding the Rails and Dodging Narcos on the Migrant Trail, by Oscar Martinez. This story pairs well with Beast Rider because they both capture the same idea of survival and danger throughout this long journey to the United States. Beast Rider could also be depicted as a piece that brings awareness and empathy to immigrants coming to the United States to escape their homes or reach loved ones. Two other stories about immigrants coming from a foreign country to the United States are called Shooting Kabul, by N.H. Senzai and Inside Out & Back Again, by Thanhha Lai. Both these stories would pair well with Beast Rider because they both tell stories of immigrants who are escaping war or have their families torn apart while journeying here to the United States. These stories will show the audience and students what it is like to live in an unfamiliar country that has a different language and customs. They will all teach students to develop empathy and see past their own experiences, which will broaden students’ perspectives and educate them about different identities.
Author Tony Johnston lived in Mexico for more than fifteen years and this is also where she raised her family. Maria Elena Fontanot De Rhoads is a Mexican psychotherapist who specializes in childhood trauma. She works at a public rescue mission for girls in difficult family situations. She still to this day lives in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. These authors experiences of living in Mexico and being a psychotherapist and dealing with childhood trauma facilitate the authenticity of this story because of the authors firsthand experiences of living in Mexico. They know what it is like to live in the small villages that Manuel lived in and they know the dangers of some of the obstacles he faces while on his journey. These authors also know what it is like to become someone else in a different place and know what it is like to lose family members, which helped significantly in developing the characters in this story. They also give credit to a ton of people who helped make their story so realistic based off their findings and experiences. There were many people who made this story what it is, but the authors personal experiences made it especially realistic. Authors names and dates of books published for book pairings are given here. Inside Out & Back Again (2011), by Thanhha Lai. Shooting Kabul (2010), by N.H. Senzai. The Beast: Riding the Rails and Dodging Narcos on the Migrant Trail (2014), by Oscar Martinez.
Dylan Berry, University of Cincinnati
Written by Tony Johnston and Maria Elena Fontanot de Rhoads
Published by Amulet Books, an imprint of Abrams, 2019, 181 pp
ISBN: 978-1-4197-3363-5
“I do not for a minute forget that I have sneaked into this country. Like a wild creature, eyes darting. I keep checking for trouble. As I did upon my long journey to get here” (p.102).
Manuel, a twelve-year-old Mexican boy, the main character in the Beast Rider, leaves his town in Mexico to reunite with his brother in the United States. In order to do this, he must ride what they call “the Beast”, which is a train that carries people to the United States. This is a dangerous ride to the United States as there is police, gangs, food and water shortages, and drugs. When Manuel first tries to ride the beast, he gets stopped and beaten by the police. Then he goes a second time, and he gets beat again by a gang badly. Manuel is on the brink of giving up when a village brings him in and gives him clothes, water, and food. They essentially bring him back to life and give him a third shot at riding the beast. This time, Manuel ends up making it to Los Angeles, reuniting with his brother, but his experiences in the United States end up not cracking up to all he thought they would be.
Beast Rider is an exhilarating and emotional story that takes its audience on a roller coaster of different emotions. We get a raw glimpse into what life is like as a Mexican immigrant riding the beast to try to achieve their goals and dreams in the United States. This story never has a dull moment and keeps its audiences on its toes, guessing what is going to happen next. I believe this is a great story for others to read because it can help people learn about a different minority group, see past their own experiences, and give them the ability to feel empathy for those who wish to immigrate to the United States. This survival story is one that will educate everyone about what it is truly like to live on the edge and pursue one’s own dreams to the greatest extent. This story will tear its audience down and bring them back up, feeling every emotion with the characters in the story, giving them insight into what is possibly the most dangerous trek of immigration there is in the entire world.
One book that captures insight into this long and dangerous journey while riding the beast is called, The Beast: Riding the Rails and Dodging Narcos on the Migrant Trail, by Oscar Martinez. This story pairs well with Beast Rider because they both capture the same idea of survival and danger throughout this long journey to the United States. Beast Rider could also be depicted as a piece that brings awareness and empathy to immigrants coming to the United States to escape their homes or reach loved ones. Two other stories about immigrants coming from a foreign country to the United States are called Shooting Kabul, by N.H. Senzai and Inside Out & Back Again, by Thanhha Lai. Both these stories would pair well with Beast Rider because they both tell stories of immigrants who are escaping war or have their families torn apart while journeying here to the United States. These stories will show the audience and students what it is like to live in an unfamiliar country that has a different language and customs. They will all teach students to develop empathy and see past their own experiences, which will broaden students’ perspectives and educate them about different identities.
Author Tony Johnston lived in Mexico for more than fifteen years and this is also where she raised her family. Maria Elena Fontanot De Rhoads is a Mexican psychotherapist who specializes in childhood trauma. She works at a public rescue mission for girls in difficult family situations. She still to this day lives in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. These authors experiences of living in Mexico and being a psychotherapist and dealing with childhood trauma facilitate the authenticity of this story because of the authors firsthand experiences of living in Mexico. They know what it is like to live in the small villages that Manuel lived in and they know the dangers of some of the obstacles he faces while on his journey. These authors also know what it is like to become someone else in a different place and know what it is like to lose family members, which helped significantly in developing the characters in this story. They also give credit to a ton of people who helped make their story so realistic based off their findings and experiences. There were many people who made this story what it is, but the authors personal experiences made it especially realistic. Authors names and dates of books published for book pairings are given here. Inside Out & Back Again (2011), by Thanhha Lai. Shooting Kabul (2010), by N.H. Senzai. The Beast: Riding the Rails and Dodging Narcos on the Migrant Trail (2014), by Oscar Martinez.
Dylan Berry, University of Cincinnati
November 21, 2020
Beast Rider
Written by Tony Johnston and Maria Elena Fontanot De Rhoads
Amulet, 2019, 192p
ISBN: 978-1-4197-3363-5
“Hold on to my hand even when I have gone away from you”
-by Nancy Wood, from Many Winters, 1974.
Based off of the stories of survivors, Beast Rider is a fictious story about a young Manuel Flores who travels La Bestia to see his brother Toño who once also took the extraneous journey and is now living in The City of Angels. In this novel you follow Manuel face the harsh realities of migrants from Mexico and Central America risking it all to ride atop one of the trains that leads to the United States border. You watched this young boy begin his quest at the age of twelve to finally embrace his brother as a man at the age of fifteen. Manuel goes through a series of trials and tribulations while learning how to survive La Bestia. He encounters robbers, thieves, friends, viejitos, los bandidos, and a woman who cared for him when he was practically dead by feeding him pumpkin flower soup everyday for a year. This book pulls the heart strings in every way possible and you find yourself saying prayers with Manuel Flores, Chavo Veijo, as he follows his heart to Los Angeles.
Beast Rider is an omen to men, women, and children who risk everything including their lives every year to jump atop a fast-moving train to find a better life in the alleged “Promised Land” de la Norte. Manuel faces unfortunate events that are based off of the real actions that so many takes. The young boy, like so many other children, grips on for his life against the metal beast and looks death right in the eye; whether that be those caught by the police, attacked by bandits, those fallen off of the train and swallowed to be a memory they won’t soon forget. Manuel travels off the wisdom of his grandmother who is his inspiration to keep going.
We know that people risk their lives to gain access to be in the United States of America. But the rise of riding the roof of a train is a deadly trend taking place and this book confronts those who believe all refugees and immigrants are bad. It holds a mirror up to show the vile racist remarks of those who claim they are stealing jobs and instead instills a wave of empathy for the all too real feeling story of Manuel Flores.
Two works of international literature that I would pair with this book would be Other Words For Home by Jasmine Warga and A Place to Belong by Cynthia Kadohata. Both pieces of fictional literature based off real-life events and stories confront the struggles of immigrants and the hatred forced against them as they try to make a life of their own. Both novels follow the themes of hope and heartbreak as they travel to a new country they do not know.
Tony Johnston is an author of hundreds of award-winning children books, many of which contain Latin-American and Mexican themes and topics. She grew up in Southern California but has made and raised her family in Mexico before moving back to southern California. As citizen of Mexico for 15 years, she traveled the country and was greatly influenced by the cultures and history of the places she traveled. That then became the main inspiration of her books, including Beast Rider, which was published in 2019.
Maria Elena Fontanot De Rhoads is a child psychotherapist with a specialization in childhood trauma. She helped write this book using her experience as someone who as come from small rural villages in Mexico. She spends her time working at a public rescue mission that saves girls that are in difficult family situations. Beast Rider is her only published work but it is a piece of work that is claimed to soon be a classic in young adult literature.
Written by Tony Johnston and Maria Elena Fontanot De Rhoads
Amulet, 2019, 192p
ISBN: 978-1-4197-3363-5
“Hold on to my hand even when I have gone away from you”
-by Nancy Wood, from Many Winters, 1974.
Based off of the stories of survivors, Beast Rider is a fictious story about a young Manuel Flores who travels La Bestia to see his brother Toño who once also took the extraneous journey and is now living in The City of Angels. In this novel you follow Manuel face the harsh realities of migrants from Mexico and Central America risking it all to ride atop one of the trains that leads to the United States border. You watched this young boy begin his quest at the age of twelve to finally embrace his brother as a man at the age of fifteen. Manuel goes through a series of trials and tribulations while learning how to survive La Bestia. He encounters robbers, thieves, friends, viejitos, los bandidos, and a woman who cared for him when he was practically dead by feeding him pumpkin flower soup everyday for a year. This book pulls the heart strings in every way possible and you find yourself saying prayers with Manuel Flores, Chavo Veijo, as he follows his heart to Los Angeles.
Beast Rider is an omen to men, women, and children who risk everything including their lives every year to jump atop a fast-moving train to find a better life in the alleged “Promised Land” de la Norte. Manuel faces unfortunate events that are based off of the real actions that so many takes. The young boy, like so many other children, grips on for his life against the metal beast and looks death right in the eye; whether that be those caught by the police, attacked by bandits, those fallen off of the train and swallowed to be a memory they won’t soon forget. Manuel travels off the wisdom of his grandmother who is his inspiration to keep going.
We know that people risk their lives to gain access to be in the United States of America. But the rise of riding the roof of a train is a deadly trend taking place and this book confronts those who believe all refugees and immigrants are bad. It holds a mirror up to show the vile racist remarks of those who claim they are stealing jobs and instead instills a wave of empathy for the all too real feeling story of Manuel Flores.
Two works of international literature that I would pair with this book would be Other Words For Home by Jasmine Warga and A Place to Belong by Cynthia Kadohata. Both pieces of fictional literature based off real-life events and stories confront the struggles of immigrants and the hatred forced against them as they try to make a life of their own. Both novels follow the themes of hope and heartbreak as they travel to a new country they do not know.
Tony Johnston is an author of hundreds of award-winning children books, many of which contain Latin-American and Mexican themes and topics. She grew up in Southern California but has made and raised her family in Mexico before moving back to southern California. As citizen of Mexico for 15 years, she traveled the country and was greatly influenced by the cultures and history of the places she traveled. That then became the main inspiration of her books, including Beast Rider, which was published in 2019.
Maria Elena Fontanot De Rhoads is a child psychotherapist with a specialization in childhood trauma. She helped write this book using her experience as someone who as come from small rural villages in Mexico. She spends her time working at a public rescue mission that saves girls that are in difficult family situations. Beast Rider is her only published work but it is a piece of work that is claimed to soon be a classic in young adult literature.
November 24, 2020
Johnston, T., & De Rhoads, M. (2019). Beast Rider. NY: Harry N. Abrams. ISBN-13: 978-1419733635
Beast Rider is a young adult novel that follows a young boy, named Manuel, who lives in a village in Mexico where his family farms a plot of land and grows corn. This is all Manuel has ever known and will always do, corn is their way of life. A few years ago Manuel’s older brother Tono rode the beast to start a new life in the United States. The beast is a train that runs through their village that many attempt to ride atop of to travel to the United States. It is very dangerous and not many make it all the way. Manuel risks everything on his journey north on the Beast. His determination to see his brother again and to not be defined by where he is from and memories from home give him strength on his difficult journey.
I really enjoyed this novel! It highlights the struggle immigrants face to get into the United States and the discrimination they face when they arrive. Manuels difficult journey at his young age provides insight to a new perspective on immigration than mainstream media portrays. While this novel is fiction the Beast is a real freight train that many in Mexico use as an escape into the United States. As immigration is a growing issue in the United States it is important to understand all of the perspectives of the issue. Beast Rider provides an important perspective of the immigrants and the reasons for immigrating as well as the treacherous journey they embark on to make it. This is a great novel to use to educate young readers on the issue and help to build tolerance and understanding for the Other.
Tony Johnston has written over one hundred children’s books, twenty three of them are about Mexico and South America. She lived in Mexico for fifteen years with her family where they traveled around the country learning about its different cultures. María Elena Fontanot De Rhoads has her Ph.D. and specializes in individual and family issues, she is also trained in social work. Her vast understanding of loss to someone forced to leave home, become some else, and face harsh realities to survive was key in creating Manuel. They put their skills and knowledge together to draw attention to the harsh realities of actual Beast Riders.
If you are looking for other books to read next to Beast Rider check out I Lived on Butterfly Hill by Marjorie Agosin (2015) that is set in Chile and the United States as a young girl is forced to immigrate in fear of her life as the Chilean government is overthrown. Another good pairing for Beast Rider is The Head of the Saint by Socorro Acioli (2016), which is set in Brazil when a young boy searches for his long lost family and uncovers mysteries in a small village as he answers the prayers of the villagers.
Beast Rider is a young adult novel that follows a young boy, named Manuel, who lives in a village in Mexico where his family farms a plot of land and grows corn. This is all Manuel has ever known and will always do, corn is their way of life. A few years ago Manuel’s older brother Tono rode the beast to start a new life in the United States. The beast is a train that runs through their village that many attempt to ride atop of to travel to the United States. It is very dangerous and not many make it all the way. Manuel risks everything on his journey north on the Beast. His determination to see his brother again and to not be defined by where he is from and memories from home give him strength on his difficult journey.
I really enjoyed this novel! It highlights the struggle immigrants face to get into the United States and the discrimination they face when they arrive. Manuels difficult journey at his young age provides insight to a new perspective on immigration than mainstream media portrays. While this novel is fiction the Beast is a real freight train that many in Mexico use as an escape into the United States. As immigration is a growing issue in the United States it is important to understand all of the perspectives of the issue. Beast Rider provides an important perspective of the immigrants and the reasons for immigrating as well as the treacherous journey they embark on to make it. This is a great novel to use to educate young readers on the issue and help to build tolerance and understanding for the Other.
Tony Johnston has written over one hundred children’s books, twenty three of them are about Mexico and South America. She lived in Mexico for fifteen years with her family where they traveled around the country learning about its different cultures. María Elena Fontanot De Rhoads has her Ph.D. and specializes in individual and family issues, she is also trained in social work. Her vast understanding of loss to someone forced to leave home, become some else, and face harsh realities to survive was key in creating Manuel. They put their skills and knowledge together to draw attention to the harsh realities of actual Beast Riders.
If you are looking for other books to read next to Beast Rider check out I Lived on Butterfly Hill by Marjorie Agosin (2015) that is set in Chile and the United States as a young girl is forced to immigrate in fear of her life as the Chilean government is overthrown. Another good pairing for Beast Rider is The Head of the Saint by Socorro Acioli (2016), which is set in Brazil when a young boy searches for his long lost family and uncovers mysteries in a small village as he answers the prayers of the villagers.
March 15, 2019
Manuel is just twelve years old when he leaves his small town in Mexico. He travels across the US border, on a train to join his older brother in Los Angeles. Becoming a "beast rider" is dangerous but, Manuel faces other perils even if he manages to survive the jump on the train.
The first time he is on the train, he is robbed then beaten and arrested by the Mexican police. Manuel doesn't allow his first defeat to deter him. He is attacked by an infamous Mexican gang and they leave him for dead. When he was about to lose hope, the villagers help restore his spirits and health. He leaves again for his journey and finally arrives in LA to be with his brother. He is excited that he is back but, then realizes he feels something is missing.
I thought the novel was an interesting read. However, I have conflicting feelings about this novel. While I thought it was brave that Manuel risked everything to be with his brother. But, when he finally is reunited to his brother, he realizes that isn't what the heart wants. It's an interesting premise about what the heart and the mind wants. Although, I feel like Manuel risked and lost a lot before he learned what he really wants. I personally hoped Manuel would have found out what defined him before he lost his innocence.
The first time he is on the train, he is robbed then beaten and arrested by the Mexican police. Manuel doesn't allow his first defeat to deter him. He is attacked by an infamous Mexican gang and they leave him for dead. When he was about to lose hope, the villagers help restore his spirits and health. He leaves again for his journey and finally arrives in LA to be with his brother. He is excited that he is back but, then realizes he feels something is missing.
I thought the novel was an interesting read. However, I have conflicting feelings about this novel. While I thought it was brave that Manuel risked everything to be with his brother. But, when he finally is reunited to his brother, he realizes that isn't what the heart wants. It's an interesting premise about what the heart and the mind wants. Although, I feel like Manuel risked and lost a lot before he learned what he really wants. I personally hoped Manuel would have found out what defined him before he lost his innocence.
March 6, 2019
12-year-old Manuel's older brother Toño took The Beast (a train from Mexico to the United States) when he left home, years back. Now, employed in the U.S. but illegal, he lives in the city of Los Angeles and occasionally calls home. Manuel loves his family, who are comfortably impoverished and grow corn on a small plot. But, he misses his brother and he's curious about life in The Angels. He saves up his money, steals his father's sweater, and carries a bag of food made by his grandmother on the night he becomes a Beast rider.
The Beast has earned its name by its dangers. Sometimes people miss when they hop the train, become sleepy or lose their balance and fall off. It's a beast that devours people. But, Manuel is determined. Within almost no time, Manuel discovers the reality of The Beast's hazards and his journey is far more harrowing than he could have imagined. But, what will he find at the end of his journey?
A deeply moving tale of hardship that depicts the extreme dangers of traveling to America.
The Beast has earned its name by its dangers. Sometimes people miss when they hop the train, become sleepy or lose their balance and fall off. It's a beast that devours people. But, Manuel is determined. Within almost no time, Manuel discovers the reality of The Beast's hazards and his journey is far more harrowing than he could have imagined. But, what will he find at the end of his journey?
A deeply moving tale of hardship that depicts the extreme dangers of traveling to America.
April 1, 2019
My boss recommended this to me, knowing that it was along my lines. Hard-hitting middle grade. Mexican setting. I mean, it was set up to be MY book! But it wasn't. Not because the story was bad. Not because the characters weren't developed. I just found it really poorly written. At first I said, well it's a 12 year old narrating, so maybe it's written as if in a child's voice? With random repetition (things like always doubling adjectives and adverbs; i.e. I ran fast fast. The wind blew cold cold. I was quiet quiet) But then the child got older and things didn't get better. Then I figured maybe there were odd (incorrect) words because the narrator was speaking broken English? Except that he wasn't. I really wanted to read this book and ended up really disappointed by what I consider its poor execution. I found it so annoying that I just ran through the book and finished it as fast as I could. Hopefully more books on this topic are written so I can one day find the book I had hoped to read.
January 19, 2023
I would happily make this a 4.5, and maybe my reasoning isn't entirely fair. I did enjoy this story. I enjoyed the voice and the style and thought it was engaging yet simple; fitting for many young and developing readers.
My criticism is that Manuel's journey from the fields of Mexico to the heart of L.A. does not include any experience in a classroom. Maybe there are many immigrant teens who never make it into a classroom, but as someone who deals specifically with these students, I would have loved to hear Manuel's perspective. Like I said, maybe unfair, as that clearly wasn't the point of the story.
My one further criticism is that the ending was sweet, but anticlimactic. It didn't make sense to me.
The tone, the style, and the story were worth reading. It deals with difficult realities without being sensational, or overly brutal; walking a fine line that makes this appropriate for junior high and high school readers.
My criticism is that Manuel's journey from the fields of Mexico to the heart of L.A. does not include any experience in a classroom. Maybe there are many immigrant teens who never make it into a classroom, but as someone who deals specifically with these students, I would have loved to hear Manuel's perspective. Like I said, maybe unfair, as that clearly wasn't the point of the story.
My one further criticism is that the ending was sweet, but anticlimactic. It didn't make sense to me.
The tone, the style, and the story were worth reading. It deals with difficult realities without being sensational, or overly brutal; walking a fine line that makes this appropriate for junior high and high school readers.
September 4, 2019
La Bestia, the train that travels between Mexico and the United States, is sometimes the only way that people can get from one country to another without papers. After his brother Toño hops on the beast to Los Angeles to begin a new life, twelve-year-old Manuel Flores, who can’t stop thinking about him, decides to be a beast rider and leave his family of farmers to join him. This disturbing saga that takes place over three years begins with Manual’s almost immediate arrest by Mexican police, his being robbed, and, later, being brutalized by thugs on the trains. He also meets with kindness by people in most unlikely places. After Manual finally reunites with his brother, he learns something he didn’t realize about himself, which leads to a surprising decision. Back matter includes an author’s note about La Bestia and a glossary of Spanish terms.
October 1, 2019
The book is based around a young boy who travels to America from his small town in Mexico by riding on a train. This boy’s goal is to travel across the US Mexico border to be with his older brother who had made the journey years before. The boy must go through many hardships on his journey. His suffering leads him to many great realizations and new views on life. In the end he makes very important decisions that greatly change his whole life. The book is well written but is not my style of book. I would recommend this book to people who are interested in the lives of illegal immigrants and want to know about how they work hard to get a better life in a new country. This was an interesting book, and even if not my personal favorite, I would still recommend it to anyone interested in this topic.
Review by Bolden B, age 17, Central Pennsylvania Mensa
Review by Bolden B, age 17, Central Pennsylvania Mensa
April 21, 2019
I'm not really sure how to rate this book. I liked it and I thought it was interesting. I just think the narrative threw me off a little bit. Even though the character went through a lot of physical, emotional, and mental beatings there was no showing for it in the narrative. Which I thought was weird, but the authors may have done it on purpose to show the scarring of this trip, not sure. I did however liked how this book is bringing into light the hardships that come with crossing the border. I also loved how they presented life in the U.S. and how immigrants are mistreated so horribly in this country.
All in all I liked this book, I would have changed the narrative, but the topic for me made up for it. It was also a super easy light read which was also nice.
All in all I liked this book, I would have changed the narrative, but the topic for me made up for it. It was also a super easy light read which was also nice.
December 19, 2024
A very short novel about a 12 year old boy who decides to leave his poor family in Mexico and hop a train (The Beast) to Los Angeles to live with his brother. His ambitions and dreams for life are more than his village and opportunities at home provide him.
The novel tenderly details life with his poor father and siblings, the care and wisdom of his grandmother, and the deep grief Manuel has at the loss of his brother--who has already slipped into the U.S. The reader is brought into a world of violence and suspense as Manuel hops aboard a beast traveling north. The dangers--physical and emotion--are extremely graphic for the young man.
Along the way, Manuel meets people who both want to kill him and those who want to help him. It is hard for him to tell the difference, and he is often fooled.
In this political hot house over immigration debate, this story gives us a truth that escapes all the polemics and partisanship. Let those who spout hot air on this subject quiet down for a spell and read this story.
The novel tenderly details life with his poor father and siblings, the care and wisdom of his grandmother, and the deep grief Manuel has at the loss of his brother--who has already slipped into the U.S. The reader is brought into a world of violence and suspense as Manuel hops aboard a beast traveling north. The dangers--physical and emotion--are extremely graphic for the young man.
Along the way, Manuel meets people who both want to kill him and those who want to help him. It is hard for him to tell the difference, and he is often fooled.
In this political hot house over immigration debate, this story gives us a truth that escapes all the polemics and partisanship. Let those who spout hot air on this subject quiet down for a spell and read this story.
February 20, 2019
The story: Manuel's older brother Tono left home looking for work in Los Angeles, and although four years have gone by, he can't forget him. Home is dust, dirt, and The Beast--the cruel train that travels north toward the Rio Grande. The journey has chewed up and spit out hundreds before him, but Manuel knows he has to at least try to find his brother. But the Beast will take more than just his money and his shoes...it will nearly take his life.
June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG-13; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse G; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (chronic poverty, gang violence, illegal immigration) PG-13; overall rating PG-13 (although a fourth grader could take on the easy level of this prose, reading-wise).
Liz's comments: Here's a deceptively simply story about a kid falling into the "invasion" of Latin Americans desperately trying to escape poverty at home by coming to El Norte--and finding that in many ways, the reality doesn't match the dream. Compelling in its simplicity, this should find a place on curriculum shelves in middle schools. Anyone who categorizes everyone coming over the border as a bad guy or a criminal needs to read this book.
June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG-13; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse G; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (chronic poverty, gang violence, illegal immigration) PG-13; overall rating PG-13 (although a fourth grader could take on the easy level of this prose, reading-wise).
Liz's comments: Here's a deceptively simply story about a kid falling into the "invasion" of Latin Americans desperately trying to escape poverty at home by coming to El Norte--and finding that in many ways, the reality doesn't match the dream. Compelling in its simplicity, this should find a place on curriculum shelves in middle schools. Anyone who categorizes everyone coming over the border as a bad guy or a criminal needs to read this book.
October 18, 2019
This slim volume by Tony Johnston and Maria Elena Fontanot de Rhoads is a painful tale of one young immigrant trying to find his way. This is an example of a book that is deceptively simple at first glance but is actally a much more complex story. Recommended for those who want to better understand the immigrant experience and get a different take on the personal journy of one boy.
Read more at Bookish Adventures.
Read more at Bookish Adventures.
February 13, 2019
Manuel - 12 years old leaves his small town in Mexico to try & reach his brother who has gone to LA. To do this he must join the "beast riders" ... the desperate migrants & refugees who climb to the top of the beast trains & hold on for dear life facing gangs, thieves, police ... as well as hunger, heat, fear. He is bullied & attacked & his journey takes him over two years & he is a changed person from it.
February 24, 2019
This is the story of Manuel who at 13 decides to leave his small town in the Mexican countryside to join his older brother in Los Angeles, CA. He does this by jumping on a train. The journey is arduous and painful. I think this could be a great story to talk about the experiences of immigrants and why people emigrate. It's probably more a YA book than middle grade fiction.
June 25, 2019
Interesting story of a kid who uses the beast train to find his brother in the United States. While I appreciated the simplicity of syntax to reflect the character, it was choppy for me. I also wasn't a fan of the ending; to me, it didn't seem realistic. This book is a good choice for a student learning English who may have similar experiences, but it wasn't for me. I expected more.
January 2, 2020
A riveting story of the bonds of brothers, family, and searching for one's place in the world, I was gripped by the many challenges the young protagonist faced as he journeyed north to find his brother.
This sensitively written story, both heart wrenching and heartwarming, cries out and deserves to be read. A wonderful choice for upper elementary and middle school book clubs.
This sensitively written story, both heart wrenching and heartwarming, cries out and deserves to be read. A wonderful choice for upper elementary and middle school book clubs.
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