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Santiago's Road Home
A young boy gets detained by ICE while crossing the border from Mexico to the United States in this timely and unflinching novel by award-winning author Alexandra Diaz.
The bed creaks under Santiago’s shivering body. They say a person’s life flashes by before dying. But it’s not his whole life. Just the events that led to this. The important ones, and the ones Santiago would rather forget.
The coins in Santiago’s hand are meant for the bus fare back to his abusive abuela’s house. Except he refuses to return; he won’t be missed. His future is uncertain until he meets the kind, maternal María Dolores and her young daughter, Alegría, who help Santiago decide what comes next: He will accompany them to el otro lado, the United States of America. They embark with little, just backpacks with water and a bit of food. To travel together will require trust from all parties, and Santiago is used to going it alone. None of the three travelers realizes that the journey through Mexico to the border is just the beginning of their story.
The bed creaks under Santiago’s shivering body. They say a person’s life flashes by before dying. But it’s not his whole life. Just the events that led to this. The important ones, and the ones Santiago would rather forget.
The coins in Santiago’s hand are meant for the bus fare back to his abusive abuela’s house. Except he refuses to return; he won’t be missed. His future is uncertain until he meets the kind, maternal María Dolores and her young daughter, Alegría, who help Santiago decide what comes next: He will accompany them to el otro lado, the United States of America. They embark with little, just backpacks with water and a bit of food. To travel together will require trust from all parties, and Santiago is used to going it alone. None of the three travelers realizes that the journey through Mexico to the border is just the beginning of their story.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published May 5, 2020
23 people are currently reading
1289 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
September 27, 2021
"Mi nombre es Santiago," he began.
"I am twelve years old. I am an orphan (he had to get help from the teacher in spelling huerfano) from Mexico. I am learning to read and write in Spanish. I am learning som English, too. I hope to keep getting better. I like reading and telling stories. I can take care of ninos and bebes. I am responsible. I do not get sick. My teacher says I am smart. I do not know if that is true." (PG. 221-222)
Very good story. The author gave a voice to the people that try to have better lives in the face of death. It is a YA but is a very good one for adults as well. I liked the characters and the story was "Read it and try not to cry." I teared up a bit. It was a story of empathy and being a decent human being even if you don't agree with everything around you.
I am a US citizen now so I am torn on the subject of immigration (My parents are not rapists, druggies, cartel associated, live off the government types).
(I had made 3 reviews and with this new update the back button erased my reviews. This is the shortened-I'm-over-it finale)
"I am twelve years old. I am an orphan (he had to get help from the teacher in spelling huerfano) from Mexico. I am learning to read and write in Spanish. I am learning som English, too. I hope to keep getting better. I like reading and telling stories. I can take care of ninos and bebes. I am responsible. I do not get sick. My teacher says I am smart. I do not know if that is true." (PG. 221-222)
Very good story. The author gave a voice to the people that try to have better lives in the face of death. It is a YA but is a very good one for adults as well. I liked the characters and the story was "Read it and try not to cry." I teared up a bit. It was a story of empathy and being a decent human being even if you don't agree with everything around you.
I am a US citizen now so I am torn on the subject of immigration (My parents are not rapists, druggies, cartel associated, live off the government types).
(I had made 3 reviews and with this new update the back button erased my reviews. This is the shortened-I'm-over-it finale)
September 26, 2020
This is a very solid middlegrade introduction to immigration. I especially thought it had a good balance: while it doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of Santiago's life at all, there was also room for hope and love in the form of Santiago's found family. And Santiago as a main character just really stole my heart. The author's note accompanying this is essential reading if you read the book, by the way.
June 1, 2020
This storyline is similar to We Are Not From Here, but not quite as horrific. Award-winning author Alexandra Diaz shares the story of Santiago, a young boy who has been physically abused by his abuela and then is passed around between relatives who do not want him. One day he’s sent away from yet another family member with just enough money for a bus fare back to abuela’s house. Hungry, lonely, and with only what he has on his back, Santiago strikes up an unlikely conversation with a mother and child who, as he discovers, are traveling to the United States. Together, they arrange for safe passage to meet up with family and find work to keep them all from starving. But when bullets begin flying and the party becomes separated, how long will they remain in ICE before they’re sent back to Mexico. And will Santiago be forced to continue living with abuela’s abuse? So heartbreaking, but also brings on all the feels at times.
The back matter has an Author’s note about immigration and the different parts of this story that were true to form. For example, as mentioned in We Are From Here, the detainees were given foil blankets for weeks — they would fold them up and place them in their pockets during the day time, and use them to hold in heat during the night. And breast milk really is brought in from nursing mothers to their babies, since children are separated from their parents. At the very end, there’s a lengthy Glossary with many Spanish words and phrases, including their meaning and ways they could be used in common conversation. My thanks to Libro.fm for providing me the audiobook of Santiago’s Road Home.
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
The back matter has an Author’s note about immigration and the different parts of this story that were true to form. For example, as mentioned in We Are From Here, the detainees were given foil blankets for weeks — they would fold them up and place them in their pockets during the day time, and use them to hold in heat during the night. And breast milk really is brought in from nursing mothers to their babies, since children are separated from their parents. At the very end, there’s a lengthy Glossary with many Spanish words and phrases, including their meaning and ways they could be used in common conversation. My thanks to Libro.fm for providing me the audiobook of Santiago’s Road Home.
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
May 8, 2020
Check out the full review on my website. CLICK HERE
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REVIEW :
DISCLAIMER : Thank you, Netgalley and Simon And Schuster for the ARC of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Santiago's Road Home is a heart wrenching realistic portrayal of several people who get caught at the Mexican-US border. The story helps us understand the struggles and extreme poverty the families are trying to escape. With hopes of new life and dreams of making decent money to support their family, the Mexicans try to cross the border illegally or in some cases request asylum at the border. Regardless of how they enter the families are separated by gender and babies, toddlers, young kids all get separated at the detention center. Santiago's story will move you and also make you feel hopeful for the young protagonist. It was an emotional roller coaster of a read and often times the situations described in the book made it hard to read through at a stretch without getting angry and emotional on behalf of young Santi. The book is well researched and I love how well the author handled such a sensitive topic. The situation of people in the detention centers is awful and alarming. I fear for the kids who go through the situations and I worry about the lasting impact of life inside the center. I can't imagine the pain and struggle they face day in day out because of the officials who work at these centers. I believe this book is an eye-opening realistic account of what life is like for people who get detained by the officials at the border and forced to live separately from families in the immigration centers. I was engrossed completely by the story of young Santi and I couldn't put the book down. It is a fast-paced, hard-hitting, compelling story of life inside the detention centers. I believe everyone should read it despite it being a middle-grade book. I gave the book 5 stars and highly highly recommend it. Make sure to check this book out.
FOLLOW ME ON : TWITTER INSTAGRAM
REVIEW :
DISCLAIMER : Thank you, Netgalley and Simon And Schuster for the ARC of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Santiago's Road Home is a heart wrenching realistic portrayal of several people who get caught at the Mexican-US border. The story helps us understand the struggles and extreme poverty the families are trying to escape. With hopes of new life and dreams of making decent money to support their family, the Mexicans try to cross the border illegally or in some cases request asylum at the border. Regardless of how they enter the families are separated by gender and babies, toddlers, young kids all get separated at the detention center. Santiago's story will move you and also make you feel hopeful for the young protagonist. It was an emotional roller coaster of a read and often times the situations described in the book made it hard to read through at a stretch without getting angry and emotional on behalf of young Santi. The book is well researched and I love how well the author handled such a sensitive topic. The situation of people in the detention centers is awful and alarming. I fear for the kids who go through the situations and I worry about the lasting impact of life inside the center. I can't imagine the pain and struggle they face day in day out because of the officials who work at these centers. I believe this book is an eye-opening realistic account of what life is like for people who get detained by the officials at the border and forced to live separately from families in the immigration centers. I was engrossed completely by the story of young Santi and I couldn't put the book down. It is a fast-paced, hard-hitting, compelling story of life inside the detention centers. I believe everyone should read it despite it being a middle-grade book. I gave the book 5 stars and highly highly recommend it. Make sure to check this book out.
May 21, 2020
Santiago has been kicked out of his aunt and uncle's home in Mexico. They've sent him away with a little money to take a bus back to his grandmothers home. But his grandmother physically abused him, and she was the reason he had lived with so many relatives until they couldn't afford to feed him any more.
So when Santiago meets a María Dolores and her 5-year-old daughter, Alegría, on their way to cross the border for a better life, he decides to join them. They have to trust one another, and it isn't long until Santiago begins to seem them as family. When their coyote dies after a car accident, they have to make their way across the desert on their own. The three have crossed into the U.S. but almost die due to heat stroke. They survive, but Santiago and Alegría are sent to a government facility and separated.
For the next several months, Santiago has to figure out life in the government facility with other children that sought refuge in the United States. During this time, Santiago begins to learn how to read and write and gets help from a lawyer to see if he can get adopted for a short while.
The ending of the novel is hopeful as (spoiler) Santiago and María Dolores and Alegría are reunited. Throughout much of the book, Santiago is alone and afraid. This will give younger readers an idea of what life is like for children separated from parents as they strive to escape abusive homes or gang violence for a better life. Make sure to read the author's note at the end as you will learn that many of the stories relayed in the novel are based on interviews and experiences of others. An excellent edition to a middle grade classroom library.
So when Santiago meets a María Dolores and her 5-year-old daughter, Alegría, on their way to cross the border for a better life, he decides to join them. They have to trust one another, and it isn't long until Santiago begins to seem them as family. When their coyote dies after a car accident, they have to make their way across the desert on their own. The three have crossed into the U.S. but almost die due to heat stroke. They survive, but Santiago and Alegría are sent to a government facility and separated.
For the next several months, Santiago has to figure out life in the government facility with other children that sought refuge in the United States. During this time, Santiago begins to learn how to read and write and gets help from a lawyer to see if he can get adopted for a short while.
The ending of the novel is hopeful as (spoiler) Santiago and María Dolores and Alegría are reunited. Throughout much of the book, Santiago is alone and afraid. This will give younger readers an idea of what life is like for children separated from parents as they strive to escape abusive homes or gang violence for a better life. Make sure to read the author's note at the end as you will learn that many of the stories relayed in the novel are based on interviews and experiences of others. An excellent edition to a middle grade classroom library.
March 7, 2020
Richie’s Picks: SANTIAGO’S ROAD HOME by Alexandra Diaz, Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman, May 2020, 336p., ISBN: 978-1-5344-4623-6
“‘Why do they separate us?’
‘Because they can.’”
“I see my light come shining
From the west down to the east
Any day now, any day now
I shall be released”
-- Bob Dylan (1967)
“The Trump administration has admitted to separating an additional 1,500 children from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border under its ‘zero tolerance’ family separation policy, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.
The additional numbers bring the total number of children separated from their families since July 2017 under the Trump administration up to more than 5,400.
‘It is shocking that 1,556 more families--including babies and toddlers--join the thousands of others already torn apart by this inhumane and illegal policy.’ Lee Gelernt, the lead attorney in the family separation lawsuit and deputy director of the ACLU’s Immigrants’ Rights Project, said in a statement to Newsweek.
‘Families have suffered tremendously, and some may never recover,’ Gelernt said. ‘The gravity of this situation cannot be overstated.’”
-- Newsweek (10/25/19)
SANTIAGO’S ROAD HOME begins in Mexico. Twelve year-old Santiago has been an orphan since he was five. Having never been permitted to attend school, he’s been treated like a burden. Shuffled from relative to relative, he has most recently been living with a second cousin, and taking care of the cousin’s three young children.
When the cousin’s husband loses his job, Santiago is abruptly handed coins for bus fare and shown the door. Santiago is determined not to return to his abusive grandmother who beat him and sometimes expressed her displeasure by branding him with her lit cigarettes.
Now, out on his own, and starving, he hopes to persuade a food vendor to exchange a meal for some work. That’s when he meets a young woman, with a preschool-aged daughter, who offers to share her meal with him.
“‘We’re just passing through. Going to el otro lado, where my sister lives. She and her husband own a restaurant and asked if I could help them out.’
‘Sounds nice.’ He tried to hide the bitterness from his voice. That they had a place to go, that people wanted her and her daughter there. From the table he picked up a piece of zucchini that had fallen from his tortilla. He squashed it between two fingers then ate it. He couldn’t waste food now when later his stomach would once again audition for the orchestra.
María Dolores continued, not worrying about speaking with her mouth full. ‘If you think this food’s good, you should try my sister’s cooking. I swear, she talks to her ingredients, and they return the favor by turning into meals that sing back. I don’t have that talent. Instead, I excel at taste testing.
Santiago forced a smile at her joke and shoved the last of the piled tortilla into his mouth. The little girl, Alegría, once again offered him her bone, which still had a few bits of meat clinging to it, and once again he shook his head.
‘You eat it, chiquitín.’ He smiled and nodded to her. ‘I’m getting full,’ he lied, but his thoughts turned in a new direction.
El otro lado. He could get a job there. According to rumors, even the lowest-paid jobs earned more per hour than the daily wage here in México; food was so plentiful, grocery stores threw items away when they got old. And best of all, it was far away from here.
He wiped his mouth with his hand and ran his tongue over his teeth to make sure no food stuck to them. Shoulders back and sitting up straight in the plastic chair to make a good impression, Santiago looked directly into María Dolores’s eyes.
‘I want to go with you two. To el otro lado.’”
SANTIAGO’S ROAD HOME is gut-wrenching, edge-of-your-seat, middle-grade fiction. Through their tortuous journey into the United States, Santiago bonds with María Dolores and Alegría. They make a pledge to protect one another and to live together as family.
Unfortunately, they eventually collapse from heat stroke and María Dolores comes close to dying. Fortunately, they are discovered in time. Unfortunately, Santiago and Alegría aren’t permitted to ride along in the ambulance. Instead, they are taken to a government facility where they are immediately separated from one another. For the next six months, confined under horrible conditions, desperate to get out, Santiago doesn’t know the fate of his two new sisters. His experience is something I won’t soon forget.
“As soon as she disappears into a room, Santiago asks, ‘What’s that about?’
Señor Dante takes his time answering but doesn’t hide the bitterness in his voice. ‘She’s an immigration lawyer. Every day for the last week she’s been delivering breast milk from her client to her client’s baby.’
‘They took a baby away from her mother?’
‘Everyone is separated.’”
Alexandra Diaz explains in her Author’s Note that this fictional tale is filled with depictions of conditions and situations that reflect what the Trump administration actually did to these poor kids. Sadly, despite court orders and years gone by, there are actually some children who still have yet to be reunited with their families. There is no question that these atrocities have diminished the standing of the United States, both in the eyes of our allies and our adversaries. It will go down in history as one of those dark moments when the U.S. lost its way.
Fortunately for readers, there is a happy and hopeful conclusion to Santiago’s story. We can only hope that, in the real world, the affected children will recover from their ordeals, and those responsible for this inhumane behavior will be held to account.
When I tell people that the best of today’s literature for young people doesn’t take a backseat to adult literature, this is exactly the sort of book that I’m talking about.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com
“‘Why do they separate us?’
‘Because they can.’”
“I see my light come shining
From the west down to the east
Any day now, any day now
I shall be released”
-- Bob Dylan (1967)
“The Trump administration has admitted to separating an additional 1,500 children from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border under its ‘zero tolerance’ family separation policy, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.
The additional numbers bring the total number of children separated from their families since July 2017 under the Trump administration up to more than 5,400.
‘It is shocking that 1,556 more families--including babies and toddlers--join the thousands of others already torn apart by this inhumane and illegal policy.’ Lee Gelernt, the lead attorney in the family separation lawsuit and deputy director of the ACLU’s Immigrants’ Rights Project, said in a statement to Newsweek.
‘Families have suffered tremendously, and some may never recover,’ Gelernt said. ‘The gravity of this situation cannot be overstated.’”
-- Newsweek (10/25/19)
SANTIAGO’S ROAD HOME begins in Mexico. Twelve year-old Santiago has been an orphan since he was five. Having never been permitted to attend school, he’s been treated like a burden. Shuffled from relative to relative, he has most recently been living with a second cousin, and taking care of the cousin’s three young children.
When the cousin’s husband loses his job, Santiago is abruptly handed coins for bus fare and shown the door. Santiago is determined not to return to his abusive grandmother who beat him and sometimes expressed her displeasure by branding him with her lit cigarettes.
Now, out on his own, and starving, he hopes to persuade a food vendor to exchange a meal for some work. That’s when he meets a young woman, with a preschool-aged daughter, who offers to share her meal with him.
“‘We’re just passing through. Going to el otro lado, where my sister lives. She and her husband own a restaurant and asked if I could help them out.’
‘Sounds nice.’ He tried to hide the bitterness from his voice. That they had a place to go, that people wanted her and her daughter there. From the table he picked up a piece of zucchini that had fallen from his tortilla. He squashed it between two fingers then ate it. He couldn’t waste food now when later his stomach would once again audition for the orchestra.
María Dolores continued, not worrying about speaking with her mouth full. ‘If you think this food’s good, you should try my sister’s cooking. I swear, she talks to her ingredients, and they return the favor by turning into meals that sing back. I don’t have that talent. Instead, I excel at taste testing.
Santiago forced a smile at her joke and shoved the last of the piled tortilla into his mouth. The little girl, Alegría, once again offered him her bone, which still had a few bits of meat clinging to it, and once again he shook his head.
‘You eat it, chiquitín.’ He smiled and nodded to her. ‘I’m getting full,’ he lied, but his thoughts turned in a new direction.
El otro lado. He could get a job there. According to rumors, even the lowest-paid jobs earned more per hour than the daily wage here in México; food was so plentiful, grocery stores threw items away when they got old. And best of all, it was far away from here.
He wiped his mouth with his hand and ran his tongue over his teeth to make sure no food stuck to them. Shoulders back and sitting up straight in the plastic chair to make a good impression, Santiago looked directly into María Dolores’s eyes.
‘I want to go with you two. To el otro lado.’”
SANTIAGO’S ROAD HOME is gut-wrenching, edge-of-your-seat, middle-grade fiction. Through their tortuous journey into the United States, Santiago bonds with María Dolores and Alegría. They make a pledge to protect one another and to live together as family.
Unfortunately, they eventually collapse from heat stroke and María Dolores comes close to dying. Fortunately, they are discovered in time. Unfortunately, Santiago and Alegría aren’t permitted to ride along in the ambulance. Instead, they are taken to a government facility where they are immediately separated from one another. For the next six months, confined under horrible conditions, desperate to get out, Santiago doesn’t know the fate of his two new sisters. His experience is something I won’t soon forget.
“As soon as she disappears into a room, Santiago asks, ‘What’s that about?’
Señor Dante takes his time answering but doesn’t hide the bitterness in his voice. ‘She’s an immigration lawyer. Every day for the last week she’s been delivering breast milk from her client to her client’s baby.’
‘They took a baby away from her mother?’
‘Everyone is separated.’”
Alexandra Diaz explains in her Author’s Note that this fictional tale is filled with depictions of conditions and situations that reflect what the Trump administration actually did to these poor kids. Sadly, despite court orders and years gone by, there are actually some children who still have yet to be reunited with their families. There is no question that these atrocities have diminished the standing of the United States, both in the eyes of our allies and our adversaries. It will go down in history as one of those dark moments when the U.S. lost its way.
Fortunately for readers, there is a happy and hopeful conclusion to Santiago’s story. We can only hope that, in the real world, the affected children will recover from their ordeals, and those responsible for this inhumane behavior will be held to account.
When I tell people that the best of today’s literature for young people doesn’t take a backseat to adult literature, this is exactly the sort of book that I’m talking about.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com
September 8, 2021
Santiago's Road Home is perfect for introducing younger students to the often horrific experiences of desert crossers in the Southwest. It's a daily reality of where we live, about 45 minutes from the border, but your middle school students likely live in other parts of the country and may not understand the inherent deadliness of the desert in summer or of the people smuggling trade. It's good for students to read outside their wheelhouses, to get a glimpse and some understanding of what children who cross the border on foot go through.
While a good chunk of the story features Santiago's desert crossing and resulting incarceration by ICE, his story ends on a hopeful (if unrealistic) note, not one of death and despair.
And it starts quite a while before he gets to the border, at his Aunt's home and her exploitation of him for child care for her two children. She subsequently turns him out of the house when her husband loses his job and she can no longer afford to feed him.
Santiago has only vague memories of his mother, before she died.
Rather than return to a grandmother who's verbally horrible and physically abusive, burning him with cigarettes multiple times, he lives on his own, staying in an abandoned shack and encountering Maria Dolores and her young daughter, Alegria. They adopt Santiago in the heartfelt sense, and take him along on their (at times deadly) journey.
They survive the desert crossing and all it entails by being rescued by Border Patrol. Santiago does all he can to stay with Alegria but the children are ripped apart at the facility.
He spends an interminable amount of time in the holding center, surviving day to day, dreaming of being reunited with the only people who ever showed they cared for him. In the process, he learns to read and tutors other younger students and learns Alegria and her mother were released from the detention center a long, long time ago.
I won't reveal the ending, just know it does end on an upward note, not one of despair.
Pull up a box of tissues. You will cry when you read this, and so will your students.
Teacher's Note: The publisher, Simon and Schuster, offers this excellent Reading Group Guide for free. There are 19 discussion questions you'll need to supplement with additional questions of your own, if reading this in class, and seven (7) ideas for extension activities, which, again, you'll need to build lesson plans around to flesh out for a classroom reading.
A quick search of Teachers Pay Teachers reveals no (none, zero) resources for this book.
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
While a good chunk of the story features Santiago's desert crossing and resulting incarceration by ICE, his story ends on a hopeful (if unrealistic) note, not one of death and despair.
And it starts quite a while before he gets to the border, at his Aunt's home and her exploitation of him for child care for her two children. She subsequently turns him out of the house when her husband loses his job and she can no longer afford to feed him.
Santiago has only vague memories of his mother, before she died.
Rather than return to a grandmother who's verbally horrible and physically abusive, burning him with cigarettes multiple times, he lives on his own, staying in an abandoned shack and encountering Maria Dolores and her young daughter, Alegria. They adopt Santiago in the heartfelt sense, and take him along on their (at times deadly) journey.
They survive the desert crossing and all it entails by being rescued by Border Patrol. Santiago does all he can to stay with Alegria but the children are ripped apart at the facility.
He spends an interminable amount of time in the holding center, surviving day to day, dreaming of being reunited with the only people who ever showed they cared for him. In the process, he learns to read and tutors other younger students and learns Alegria and her mother were released from the detention center a long, long time ago.
I won't reveal the ending, just know it does end on an upward note, not one of despair.
Pull up a box of tissues. You will cry when you read this, and so will your students.
Teacher's Note: The publisher, Simon and Schuster, offers this excellent Reading Group Guide for free. There are 19 discussion questions you'll need to supplement with additional questions of your own, if reading this in class, and seven (7) ideas for extension activities, which, again, you'll need to build lesson plans around to flesh out for a classroom reading.
A quick search of Teachers Pay Teachers reveals no (none, zero) resources for this book.
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
June 20, 2020
Thank you to Libro.fm for the free audiobook version of this book.
As she did in The Only Road, the author tells a compelling story of a young boy—Santiago—in his quest to immigrate to the United States. This backstory of this character is that his mother died in an accident when he was very young and he’s been passed from one relative to the next being horribly mistreated. On his worst day, he meets a young woman and her daughter and together they decide to attempt to cross into the US via a coyote—a human courier.
The second half of the book focuses on Santiago’s experiences at a detention facility at the border. The author captured the overcrowding, the lack of medical care and education, and the inhumane separation of children from their families at these facilities. Santiago’s character reminds readers how young and vulnerable these children are and how there are few adults that are able to support them in these frightening circumstances.
This narrative gives a face and story to the countless children who readers may only know through news accounts. Highly recommend for grades 5 and above.
As she did in The Only Road, the author tells a compelling story of a young boy—Santiago—in his quest to immigrate to the United States. This backstory of this character is that his mother died in an accident when he was very young and he’s been passed from one relative to the next being horribly mistreated. On his worst day, he meets a young woman and her daughter and together they decide to attempt to cross into the US via a coyote—a human courier.
The second half of the book focuses on Santiago’s experiences at a detention facility at the border. The author captured the overcrowding, the lack of medical care and education, and the inhumane separation of children from their families at these facilities. Santiago’s character reminds readers how young and vulnerable these children are and how there are few adults that are able to support them in these frightening circumstances.
This narrative gives a face and story to the countless children who readers may only know through news accounts. Highly recommend for grades 5 and above.
abandoned
June 2, 2020I got through 34% of it, according to my audio book app. I’m not invested enough in the characters to continue, plus, Santiago has had a TON of luck on his trip already. I read ENRIQUE'S JOURNEY this year, and it seems it would not be so easy for Santiago (although I know everyone must have a different experience). I just wasn’t invested in the characters enough to want to know what’s going to happen to them - AND - with all the stuff that’s happening in the US today, Santiago might be better off in Mexico.
September 22, 2020
A young refugee overcomes tremendous obstacles to cross the border from Mexico into the United States, only to be trapped in a detention center. Diaz sketches a frank, brief account of refugee youth in an uncaring bureaucratic system, where hope comes in glimpses and family separation becomes the norm.
March 4, 2022
Would be absolutely wonderful reading for middle schoolers and young adults as an intro or even a solidification of what immigrants and those struggling for asylum are experiencing.
“Without awareness nothing changes. Here is the awareness, now let’s bring forth the change.” A.D.
“Without awareness nothing changes. Here is the awareness, now let’s bring forth the change.” A.D.
January 4, 2021
Oh my goodness, what a tough read. Besides being an extremely important book, it's well-written with heartbreaking characters and a well-developed story. Such an emotionally impactful book.
December 19, 2021
3 stars for personal enjoyment. It was simple and straightforward, without much character development or sophisticated plot techniques. However…
5 stars for necessity in a school library. This is another title that is being challenged in our district. It tells the story of an illegal border crossing, of smugglers and detention centers, of splitting up families and of inhumane treatment of minors. All these very real issues are told in age-appropriate ways. This book absolutely belongs in schools so that insulated kids can get windows into another world and life experience that may otherwise be subverted in their minds by racist, asshole adults.
5 stars for necessity in a school library. This is another title that is being challenged in our district. It tells the story of an illegal border crossing, of smugglers and detention centers, of splitting up families and of inhumane treatment of minors. All these very real issues are told in age-appropriate ways. This book absolutely belongs in schools so that insulated kids can get windows into another world and life experience that may otherwise be subverted in their minds by racist, asshole adults.
July 15, 2022
The type of awareness we all need to read, to share, to support, to champion. Though a middle-grade read, I recommend it to everyone, especially adults who don’t know anything about immigration, detention, holding centres, illegal border crossing, asylum seeking..
March 11, 2025
devastatingly beautiful
February 14, 2021
I recommend this book to anyone that would like to better understand the heart breaking challenges and experiences immigrants experience trying to get to this country and start a new life in the United States.
May 15, 2020
An advanced copy of this book was provided by the publisher, this is my honest review.
Santiago's Road Home is a heart-wrenching and hopeful story of a 12 year old boy and his journey to immigrate to the United States. This book is listed as a children's book, I would recommend it for middle age and above as there are some heavy themes in the book that might be upsetting for younger children.
This book will help American children gain understanding and compassion for the struggles that others may face as the immigrate to the USA. This book describes some of the modern day difficulties we see and wrestle with as we shape the future of our nation. I would recommend this book for classrooms and libraries. This would be a wonderful book to read together in a classroom as there are rich and diverse themes to engage with.
Santiago's Road Home is a heart-wrenching and hopeful story of a 12 year old boy and his journey to immigrate to the United States. This book is listed as a children's book, I would recommend it for middle age and above as there are some heavy themes in the book that might be upsetting for younger children.
This book will help American children gain understanding and compassion for the struggles that others may face as the immigrate to the USA. This book describes some of the modern day difficulties we see and wrestle with as we shape the future of our nation. I would recommend this book for classrooms and libraries. This would be a wonderful book to read together in a classroom as there are rich and diverse themes to engage with.
May 28, 2021
This was an extremely good book about immigration, that I thought had good characters and was written well. My only issue would be that I think the pacing may have been a bit inconsistent. However it was written very well and teaches a lot about immigration to the US. I would definitely recommend it.
April 20, 2020
Set on the Mexico/U.S. border in the present, this story presents a compelling and believable look at why people try to cross the border. Santiago is a gentle soul whom no one wants. His grandmother inexplicably hates him and is physically abusive. His parents are dead. His aunt, whose children he was caring for, no longer wants him there. He has never been sent to school and cannot read or write. But Santiago has faith in the future, and decides to find a way to get to El Norte on his own. He happens upon a young woman, María Dolores, and her five year old daughter, Alegría, who are also heading to the border. They team up and go together. There is tragedy on their journey through the desert, and Santiago ends up at a youth detention center in New Mexico. There, he almost loses hope, but that does not stop him from learning to read and write and, with his kind and honest spirit, he impresses kids and teachers, the cruel guards notwithstanding. It is great to really imagine the life of child trying to make this unimaginable trip alone. The author helps us understand that, despite his life of poverty and neglect and lack of education, Santiago is a worthwhile human being who can reason and learn and contribute to the world. It also clues the reader in to the dire poverty that is unlike what most Americans experience. I don't want to divulge the ending. I know that young readers will root for this boy who only wants a life of dignity. I love that the author includes a note on border holding centers, lists of resources and further reading and a comprehensive glossary of Spanish words and expressions used in the text.
September 28, 2020
I think that everyone should have to read this book. It is one of those stories that touch us in a different way and open your eyes to the injustices of the world. This book follows Santiago on his journey to America. Through his story you can see the dangers that these immigrants face and the reasons for why they want to leave the country that they came from. Once they arrive whether it be legally or illegally there are still so many obstacles and hurdles that they are forced to good through. Families are separated, half of the immigrants can't speak English and that the only language that they are spoken to in, most can't read or write and they have no idea how to navigate the court system in America. Right now there is a lot of talk about privilege in our society today. With the political climate where its at, everyone has something to say on immigration and on the BLM. This story is the immigration equivalent to what The Hate U Give is to the BLM. This story gave voices to the many that have been drowned out due to lack of money, power, and influence. I hope that this book gets the publicity it deserves especially in light of the stories that are poring out from the ICE detention centers. I just want to say thank you to Alexandra Diaz for giving a voice to those whose voices are not being heard.
June 12, 2020
(Disclaimer: I received this book from Netgalley. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
CW: child abuse
Santiago's Road Home is an emotional story about family, dreams, and love. Santiago is such a precious character who is empathetic, caring, and clever. I don't have many words for this fantastic book. It's every part of this emotional roller coaster that left me tense until the very end. There are moments of such joy, wonder, and sadness all wrapped into one. It's not only about Santiago's journey to the border, but also about being detained by ICE.
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/revi...
CW: child abuse
Santiago's Road Home is an emotional story about family, dreams, and love. Santiago is such a precious character who is empathetic, caring, and clever. I don't have many words for this fantastic book. It's every part of this emotional roller coaster that left me tense until the very end. There are moments of such joy, wonder, and sadness all wrapped into one. It's not only about Santiago's journey to the border, but also about being detained by ICE.
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/revi...
June 14, 2020
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This story is gut wrenching, gripping and so powerful! It got me emotional and made me tear up. “Santiago’s Road Home” is a wonderful tale of hope and survival. As you read it, you visualize countless people like Santiago who still struggle to reunite with their loved ones.
I honestly feel this is one of those books that a person of any age group would appreciate (and not restrict it to middle grade). The story highlights the difficulties immigrants go through when trapped in the holding centers at the U.S/Mexico border. Even though what Santiago goes through sounds harsh, the author mentions that in reality, such people face even worse treatment. Sadly, the fact is that many boys and girls prefer the lifestyle in the centers in comparison to their life back in Mexico. The author has detailed all the struggles that Santiago goes through in a poignant way.
Moreover, Santiago is wonderful as the main character. What struck me about his character is how hard he holds on to his hope. He is someone who would do anything for his loved ones, and stays true to himself to be good, even though he faces so many difficulties. Also, I loved his relation with sweet Alegria and the bond they shared. I also loved the scenes between him and Senor Dante. I only wish that the people in such scenarios in reality have the same hope for a better future like Santi.
This is the first book I am reading of Alexandra Diaz, and after reading this book, I definitely want to read her Only Road series. Overall, “Santiago’s Road Home” is a beautiful tale that I feel everyone should read as an eye-opener.
December 29, 2025
Terrific book about the true and horrendous situation undocumented and refugee children face in American detention centers.
The book is well-researched and well-written. The use of many, many Spanish words may bug some readers but the main character, Santiago, is from Mexico and Spanish is his first language so it makes sense. The book also notes that not all detained children are from Spanish-speaking countries.
Santiago loved his free-spirited mother and never knew his father. His mom died when Santiago was five years old and the poor boy was forced to live with a cruel grandmother who abused him physically and emotionally. Santiago was also sent to live with other relatives from time to time and we find out how gifted Santiago is at relating to younger children when he takes care of his cousins.
Santiago is evicted from an aunt's house and instead of going back to evil Grandma, he flees and ends up meeting a young mom, Dolores, and her adorable daughter Alegria, both who realize how kind and sweet Santiago is and treat him like a brother.
Dolores has enough money to share and plans on using a coyote to take her and Alegria across to El Otro Lado, the United States ("the other side"). What happens is difficult to read. There is violence against the coyote. Santiago, Dolores, and Alegria have to make it across the New Mexico desert and run out of water.
They get picked up by ICE and are separated. Santiago and Alegria are out in separate detention centers due to age and gender and are not allowed to communicate.
Most of the book is about Santiago's life in detention. That includes depression and overcrowding, guards in the bathroom and some thin, metallic blanket to "keep warm with" while sleeping on the ground with no pillow. Fellow detainees cry and have bad dreams. There isn't adequate medical care and a fellow detainee does. Santiago himself got sick.
Santiago gets a lawyer who aids him in applying for refugee status and a foster family.
This fictional story has a happy ending but as is written in the author's note, many many children do NOT have happy endings. Just this year, the administration cut funding for these centers.
I would be so pleased for many children and adults to read this thought-provoking book. May we who have so much be grateful for what we have and fight for those who need our sympathy and help.
The book is well-researched and well-written. The use of many, many Spanish words may bug some readers but the main character, Santiago, is from Mexico and Spanish is his first language so it makes sense. The book also notes that not all detained children are from Spanish-speaking countries.
Santiago loved his free-spirited mother and never knew his father. His mom died when Santiago was five years old and the poor boy was forced to live with a cruel grandmother who abused him physically and emotionally. Santiago was also sent to live with other relatives from time to time and we find out how gifted Santiago is at relating to younger children when he takes care of his cousins.
Santiago is evicted from an aunt's house and instead of going back to evil Grandma, he flees and ends up meeting a young mom, Dolores, and her adorable daughter Alegria, both who realize how kind and sweet Santiago is and treat him like a brother.
Dolores has enough money to share and plans on using a coyote to take her and Alegria across to El Otro Lado, the United States ("the other side"). What happens is difficult to read. There is violence against the coyote. Santiago, Dolores, and Alegria have to make it across the New Mexico desert and run out of water.
They get picked up by ICE and are separated. Santiago and Alegria are out in separate detention centers due to age and gender and are not allowed to communicate.
Most of the book is about Santiago's life in detention. That includes depression and overcrowding, guards in the bathroom and some thin, metallic blanket to "keep warm with" while sleeping on the ground with no pillow. Fellow detainees cry and have bad dreams. There isn't adequate medical care and a fellow detainee does. Santiago himself got sick.
Santiago gets a lawyer who aids him in applying for refugee status and a foster family.
This fictional story has a happy ending but as is written in the author's note, many many children do NOT have happy endings. Just this year, the administration cut funding for these centers.
I would be so pleased for many children and adults to read this thought-provoking book. May we who have so much be grateful for what we have and fight for those who need our sympathy and help.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 16, 2020
The most compelling (and heartbreaking) part of this book is when 12-year-old Santiago finds himself in a detention facility near the border. Most of us know by now that the conditions in these facilities are terrible, but the author really drives home the catastrophic impact of the family separation policy. That it’s such an unnecessary hardship makes it all the more terrible. Details that will remain with me: An immigration lawyer brings her client’s breastmilk to the client’s baby because she isn’t allowed to care for her own infant. A 12-year-old boy is allergic to wheat but the facility doesn’t make any accommodations for his diet at all. The boys fold up their foil blankets each day and carry them in their back pockets, so they don’t get stolen. The boys get clean clothes once per week. Many boys wake with nightmares, screaming and thrashing.
I’d love to run a book club with 9th graders on migration that would include this book, American Street, and a few others. Whenever I read the nonfiction text Enrique’s Journey with seniors, they always say they think that everyone should read the book. I think what they mean is that everyone should seek out more insight into the human lives behind the immigration headlines, and this book works well to that end. Though it’s fiction, the writer provides a note at the end that explains how the book was informed by interviews with real child migrants, and she also offers a great set of resources for additional reading.
I’d love to run a book club with 9th graders on migration that would include this book, American Street, and a few others. Whenever I read the nonfiction text Enrique’s Journey with seniors, they always say they think that everyone should read the book. I think what they mean is that everyone should seek out more insight into the human lives behind the immigration headlines, and this book works well to that end. Though it’s fiction, the writer provides a note at the end that explains how the book was informed by interviews with real child migrants, and she also offers a great set of resources for additional reading.
July 23, 2020
The story: When he's kicked out of yet another relative's house, Santiago decides he's not going back to live with his abusive grandmother. Instead, he starts toward El Norte, where he's befriended on the way by another traveler and her little girl. When their human-smuggling coyote is killed by rivals, they're left to try to cross the desert on their own--and then separated when they reached the promised land. Maria Dolores and Alegria seem more like family than anyone else he's ever known...but will Santi ever see them again?
June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG-13 (although understated); Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (illegal immigration, detention centers, family separation, racism) PG-13; overall rating PG. Best for grades 5-up.
Liz's comments: While I liked this book, Santi's time spent in the detention facility seemed to drag, although the author uses the time to point out the inhumanities inherent in the system. This is not a book that kids will pick up on their own (unless it speaks to them culturally) but I do see it having a place in ELA curriculums in places like Texas where there's a large immigrant population.
June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG-13 (although understated); Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (illegal immigration, detention centers, family separation, racism) PG-13; overall rating PG. Best for grades 5-up.
Liz's comments: While I liked this book, Santi's time spent in the detention facility seemed to drag, although the author uses the time to point out the inhumanities inherent in the system. This is not a book that kids will pick up on their own (unless it speaks to them culturally) but I do see it having a place in ELA curriculums in places like Texas where there's a large immigrant population.
January 19, 2021
Santiago has been living with various relatives since his mom died when he was 5 years old. Rather than go back to his abusive grandmother, he takes a chance on a kind stranger with a young daughter who are going to "el otro lado" to her sister who has a restaurant. Santiago is initially mistrustful of this young woman who would take on a boy she doesn't know and include him on her trip to the US but he doesn't really have many other options so he takes a leap of faith and joins them. Things go terribly wrong along the way. Santiago's journey home becomes incredibly complex.
This is an incredibly well-written and both heart-wrenching and heart-warming story about immigration. It is an eye opener to what people endure to cross the border as well as what is suffered in youth holding centers.
Spanish phrases throughout - glossary in back (which I didn't notice until I had finished the book. I understand enough Spanish I didn't need it and *think* I would have picked it up from context if not but it is there for those who would find it useful)
This is an incredibly well-written and both heart-wrenching and heart-warming story about immigration. It is an eye opener to what people endure to cross the border as well as what is suffered in youth holding centers.
Spanish phrases throughout - glossary in back (which I didn't notice until I had finished the book. I understand enough Spanish I didn't need it and *think* I would have picked it up from context if not but it is there for those who would find it useful)
March 24, 2022
This middle grade book broke my heart!
Santiago is only twelve, but his life has been harsh. He's suffered physical abuse from his grandmother and relatives, and bounces from extended relative to extended relative. When his aunt kicks him out because she can no longer support him, Santiago decides to run away. His path crosses a kindly young woman and her daughter, and together, they decide to make the dangerous crossing to El Otro Lado. There is a lot of suffering, and Santiago ends up in ICE detention, separated from his found family.
I put off reading this book for a long time, because I knew it would be heartbreaking, and because I know Santiago's experience is being lived right now by children crossing the border. There is a part in the book where Santiago asks another kid why ICE separates all the siblings, and the kid replies simply, "Because they can." And that's the sad, heartbreaking truth.
I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.
Santiago is only twelve, but his life has been harsh. He's suffered physical abuse from his grandmother and relatives, and bounces from extended relative to extended relative. When his aunt kicks him out because she can no longer support him, Santiago decides to run away. His path crosses a kindly young woman and her daughter, and together, they decide to make the dangerous crossing to El Otro Lado. There is a lot of suffering, and Santiago ends up in ICE detention, separated from his found family.
I put off reading this book for a long time, because I knew it would be heartbreaking, and because I know Santiago's experience is being lived right now by children crossing the border. There is a part in the book where Santiago asks another kid why ICE separates all the siblings, and the kid replies simply, "Because they can." And that's the sad, heartbreaking truth.
I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.
August 28, 2020
I started this because of the premise alone not knowing it was aimed at kids, and it's really changed the way I think about middle grade.
I've seen a lot of reviews say the story is too unrealistic and that getting into the US would be more difficult, and the treatment Santiago suffers in the detainment centre would really be a lot harsher. I'm sure this is sadly true. But considering this is a book for younger kids it was already harrowing and heartbreaking enough even for me. You're bound to have sympathy with Santiago right from the start; he's such a determined and deep character. With just a few details the story gets across the stress and hopelessness, the cruel conditions of the centre and treatment by the guards, and I became addicted to reading to find out whether he would be reunited with his family. To listen to the epilogue and hear the narrator tell us that, in real life, Santi probably wouldn't have been given the bare minimum "kindnesses" he's given, like a toothbrush and a blanket, just makes the whole story hit home even harder.
We also get to learn the various backstories of the other children Santi meets in the centre, which makes the book even more realistic. It accomplishes a lot in a short amount of time (the audiobook was around 6 hours). This would work perfectly as a dystopia if Santiago's story weren't already happening in real life.
I've seen a lot of reviews say the story is too unrealistic and that getting into the US would be more difficult, and the treatment Santiago suffers in the detainment centre would really be a lot harsher. I'm sure this is sadly true. But considering this is a book for younger kids it was already harrowing and heartbreaking enough even for me. You're bound to have sympathy with Santiago right from the start; he's such a determined and deep character. With just a few details the story gets across the stress and hopelessness, the cruel conditions of the centre and treatment by the guards, and I became addicted to reading to find out whether he would be reunited with his family. To listen to the epilogue and hear the narrator tell us that, in real life, Santi probably wouldn't have been given the bare minimum "kindnesses" he's given, like a toothbrush and a blanket, just makes the whole story hit home even harder.
We also get to learn the various backstories of the other children Santi meets in the centre, which makes the book even more realistic. It accomplishes a lot in a short amount of time (the audiobook was around 6 hours). This would work perfectly as a dystopia if Santiago's story weren't already happening in real life.
January 14, 2023
Marina A. Orsini
Yo admiro Santiago porque aunque estaba solo seis meses en un lugar desconocido con personas nuevas, él aún intentó ser optimista. Creo que si yo fuera Santiago, iba a desistir de salir del centro de inmigrantes después de un mes. Él pensó que había sido abandonado por su única familia y que iba a volver a vivir con una persona que lo abusaba físicamente si volviera a México. Si yo estuviera en esa situación, iba a llorar y aceptaría todo lo que estuviera pasando conmigo. Además, Santiago es una buena persona con un corazón muy grande. Él intentó ayudar a las personas del centro les dando comida cuando pudiera y ayudaba a la mujer que trabajaba en la cocina a limpiar los platos y recogerlos. A pesar de todo lo que estaba pasando con Santiago, él aún pensaba en las personas y era solidario. Yo no sería solidaria y no creo que pensaría en las otras personas. Solo intentaría sobrevivir.
Yo admiro Santiago porque aunque estaba solo seis meses en un lugar desconocido con personas nuevas, él aún intentó ser optimista. Creo que si yo fuera Santiago, iba a desistir de salir del centro de inmigrantes después de un mes. Él pensó que había sido abandonado por su única familia y que iba a volver a vivir con una persona que lo abusaba físicamente si volviera a México. Si yo estuviera en esa situación, iba a llorar y aceptaría todo lo que estuviera pasando conmigo. Además, Santiago es una buena persona con un corazón muy grande. Él intentó ayudar a las personas del centro les dando comida cuando pudiera y ayudaba a la mujer que trabajaba en la cocina a limpiar los platos y recogerlos. A pesar de todo lo que estaba pasando con Santiago, él aún pensaba en las personas y era solidario. Yo no sería solidaria y no creo que pensaría en las otras personas. Solo intentaría sobrevivir.
May 9, 2020
Check out my full video review: https://youtu.be/woBAdBTkVXg
Santiago’s Road Home follows Santiago who after being thrown out of his aunt’s house, decides to immigrate to America with a young mother and her daughter. On the border they get picked up by ICE.
This book follows very relevant and important events happening right now. We see and learn about how kids truly are being treated at the immigration/holding centers. I have read similar books before, and they always hit deep in the guts. This one stands out because we follow a such a young person, and the author really makes us love and care for Santiago. It is a sad journey, but still a hopeful one. Truly a powerful and important book, for everyone and everywhere, especially in today’s environment. I was sad, but also my heart leaped for this very real story. 4/5 stars.
Santiago’s Road Home follows Santiago who after being thrown out of his aunt’s house, decides to immigrate to America with a young mother and her daughter. On the border they get picked up by ICE.
This book follows very relevant and important events happening right now. We see and learn about how kids truly are being treated at the immigration/holding centers. I have read similar books before, and they always hit deep in the guts. This one stands out because we follow a such a young person, and the author really makes us love and care for Santiago. It is a sad journey, but still a hopeful one. Truly a powerful and important book, for everyone and everywhere, especially in today’s environment. I was sad, but also my heart leaped for this very real story. 4/5 stars.
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