The Far Away Brothers (Adapted for Young Adults): Two Teenage Immigrants Making a Life in America

by Lauren Markham

The inspiring true story of identical twin teenage brothers who escape El Salvador's violence to build new lives in California as undocumented immigrants--perfect for fans of Enrique's Journey and anyone interested in learning about the issues that underlie today's conversations about DACA and immigration reform.

Ernesto and Raúl Flores are identical twins, used to being mistaken for each other. As seventeen-year-olds living in rural El Salvador, they are used to thinking that the United States is just a far-off dream. When Ernesto ends up on the wrong side of MS-13, one of El Salvador's brutal gangs, he flees the country for his own safety. Raúl, fearing that he will be mistaken for his brother, follows close behind.

Running from one danger to the next, the Flores twins make the harrowing journey north, only to fall into the hands of immigration authorities. When they finally make it to the custody of their older brother in Oakland, California, the difficulties don't end.

While navigating a new school in a new language, struggling to pay off their mounting coyote debt, and anxiously waiting for their day in immigration court, Raúl and Ernesto are also trying to lead normal teenage lives. With only each other for support, they begin the process of carving out a life for themselves, one full of hope and possibility.

Adapted for young adults from the award-winning adult edition, The Far Away Brothers is the inspiring true story of two teens making their way in America, a personal look at US immigration policy, and a powerful account of contemporary immigration.

Genres: Nonfiction, Cultural, Biography, History, School, Family

288 pages, Paperback

Published August 25, 2020

Reviews

[Ibmeubu62 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I vetted this novel to make sure it was, as advertised, suitable for 7-9th grade reading. It is not. While Ms. Markham's style of writing is fresh and straightforward, the language and subject matter is not appropriate for students of this age group. She drops the "F-bomb" quite often along with several other inappropriate words for a classroom setting. The subject of rape comes up often as does teen promiscuity and teen pregnancy. The novel tells of the many hardships the Flores brothers encounter as they try to escape the power of the M-13 and Barrio 18 gangs in El Salvador.

Ms. Markham makes it clear that she does not like Donald Trump or the policies he put in place to keep these gangs out of the U.S. Her novel holds several negative comments toward any type of conservative values and claims Trump and his supporters are racist because they don't support illegal activity in the U.S.

I too, am a high school teacher and see the horrible effect illegal immigration has on my students. Especially those who have come to the U.S. on their own or with families illegally. Ms. Markham unwittingly shows why illegal immigration is not the answer. Those who are coming, are sending the wrong message to their government leaders, the cartels, and the gangs when they run. It would be better to stay and defend their country. Fight for it to be the kind of home they deserve.

[Adriel Galindo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book And It is good I will Recommend If You come from another country Like me

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

While it's true, as another reviewer noted, that the two brothers at the heart of this story make some bad decisions, it's also easy to see why. It's easy to demonize others when you don't know them or their full story, and in this book, adapted for young adults from the original work, the author puts the immigration situation in context. Relating the journey of twin siblings, Ernesto and Raul Flores, from their home in a small town in El Salvador to the United States in 2013, she describes the increasing gang violence that prompted Ernesto to flee his home, followed by his brother, who feared being mistaken for Ernesto. The Flores family fully supported their leaving, going into debt to pay for the trip, and facing compounded interest as the debt remained unpaid. Both boys face various sorts of danger on the journey as well as challenges once they reach the United States and are reunited with their older brother Wilber. Not only language issues, legal challenges, low-paying jobs, and crowded living situations exacerbate the anxiety and guilt both brothers feel. As the political landscape turns increasingly hostile to immigrants, the brothers feel the distance between where they are living in a tenuous fashion in Oakland, California, and their family back home in La Colonia. Books like this are important because they put a human face on the immigration issue, and the two teens' experiences are surely similar to those of many others who have been drawn to this country in search of the American Dream, a concept that seems beyond the reach of many. I was struck by the corruption of some of the law enforcement agents described here as well as just how costly--in many ways--it can be to try to cross the border. Policymakers and political pundits would do well to read this book and consider how others profit from the nation's immigration policies. Troubling and eye-opening in many ways, this one should be mandatory reading for anyone interested in this topic. I only wish there had been an update so that readers could know what's happening with the brothers now.

[Shauna Yusko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure how the adaptation compares with the original.

[Terry Maguire · Rating 4 out of 5]

This incredible memoir relates the story of twins, Ernesto and Raul, who flee the gang violence of El Salvador to cross into the USA with the help of a coyote, leaving them saddled with debt and mounting interest payments. Ernesto suffers from PTSD, a result of something he witnessed on the way north. The twins stay with an older brother who is barely scraping by in CA and both enroll in Oakland International High School. The author actually worked at the school during the time of their attendance and helped connect them with a lawyer who assisted with their case (and adding to their debt) and she eventually gained their trust in order to conduct the interviews that led to this book (this version adapted for YA readers). The book offers many insights into the stories behind migration and of the people who help and harm along the way. Highly recommended.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well told as well as heart wrenching. Highly recommend.

[Gabby Palomino · Rating 5 out of 5]

the book ended a little abruptly... i wonder if that's because the author lost touch with the twins or they just did not want to share more than they already did

[Azucena · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Far Away Brothers discuss the struggles of coming from a different country without documents. It examines the struggle of trying to learn the language and supporting your family from back home who is also struggling with money problems.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book so much more. The characters drove me crazy with their poor decisions.

[Sam Zachary · Rating 5 out of 5]

The non-fiction novel, Far Away Brothers, Two Teenage Immigrants Making A Life in America by Lauren Markham, is about two teenage twin boys, Raul and Ernesto, who immigrated to the United States from La Colina, El Salvador. Raul and Ernesto grew up with many siblings including Maricela, their older sister, Wilber, Their older brother, and Ricardo. Raul and Ernesto’s parents were poor. Their father, Wilbur Sr. owned a corn field and sold corn. Their mother, Esperanza tried her best to feed the family.

First, Raul and Ernesto are growing up in La Colina, El Salvador. The twins had almost never been out of La Colina before. In La Colina, there were a lot of gangs of people that attacked. Then, one day the twins decided that they needed a bike, so they stole corn from their father’s corn field so they could trade corn for a bike. Javier, the twins’ cousin helped pay for the bike by also stealing corn from his father, Agustin’s cornfield. When Wilber Sr, Raul and Ernesto’s father, found out that the twins stole corn from the cornfield, he got very upset because he was supposed to sell the corn. Now, the family would lose money. When Agustin had found out the corn was stolen from his field, he was very mad. After that, Javier caught Ernesto talking bad about the family, and Agustin wanted to kill Ernesto, so Ernesto decided to go on a journey to the United States. Wilbur Jr had gone to the United States a few years back. Since he was already in the United States, he knew how to help Ernesto. To help Ernesto get to the United States, he hired a coyote, a person who smuggles a people from central America for a high fee. Ernesto’s coyote was Sandra. Meanwhile, back in El Salvador, Raul was worried that Agustin would also try to kill him since he and Ernesto look alike, so he decided to also go to the United States. Sandra also helped Raul, but they got caught by a gang hired by Agustin, so they had to hide out in the forest for a few days, then finally make it to Mexico. You should read the book to find out what happens next.

Overall, I personally really liked this book. What I liked about this book was that it told a very detailed story of Raul and Ernesto’s life in El Salvador, their journey to America. personally, I found it very interesting. Something I did not like about this book was that a couple chapters were a little long. People who would like this book would be people who are interested in reading other people’s stories about how they got to the United States from their original country. Also, people interested in the issues that are on the news would like this book. This book is 219 pages long plus an author’s note and a prologue at the beginning. At the end there is a section that talks about what has happened with illegal immigrants over the years.

[Alexina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a heartbreaking, raw, and an informational read about the story of two Salvadoran twin brothers who come to the United States to escape the hit a gang has on them.

Not only are the boys forced to leave El Salvador, to save their lives, but they quickly learn how the United States doesn't, necessarily, live up to the hype. Especially when they have a mounting debt as a result of having to flee abruptly.

So far, this is the best piece I've read in relation to modern-day immigration. Lauren Markham personally knows the twins and they agreed to let their story be told so this is as real as it gets (though Markham changed some details in order to protect the boys and their family).

But, as a teacher who works first-hand with immigrant young adults, even though each family's story is different, the parallels are harrowing. This book will REALLY open your eyes to the immigrant struggle because it recounts a very personal study of one family. No matter where you or your knowledge stands in regards to immigration, this is a MUST READ that will. open. your. eyes. and. your. heart.

It's prompted me to actually sit down and listen to my students' stories. I generally don't ask because many of them are hesitant to share and don't know who can/can't be trusted. But, it's important to tell their stories.

[BPL YA Department]

The Far Away Brothers is one of those books that grabs you by the heart from page one and refuses to let go. This YA adaptation follows identical twin brothers fleeing danger in El Salvador and trying to rebuild their lives in the United States. It’s emotional, intense, and at times painfully real—especially considering everything happening in the world today.

What makes the book so engaging is how personal it feels. You’re not just reading about immigration—you’re right there with the boys as they navigate school, jobs, family expectations, and the constant uncertainty of their new lives. The writing is accessible for teens without watering down the seriousness of their journey, which I really appreciated.

That said, it is a tough read. Not because it’s boring (it’s definitely not!) but because the experiences these teens go through are heavy, heartbreaking, and disturbingly familiar to current events. It’s the kind of book that sticks with you, even if you need to set it down for a breather now and then.

Overall, I’d give it 3 out of 5 stars—a powerful, informative, and important read, especially for teens trying to understand the human side of immigration, but not always an easy emotional ride.

[Cade · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's about twin brothers, Ernesto and Raúl, who escape from El Salvador because of gang violence and end up in California. Ernesto gets in trouble with a gang, so he leaves, and Raúl follows because he’s scared he’ll be targeted too since they look the same. Their journey is super dangerous-they cross the Rio Grande and the Texas desert, get caught by immigration, and finally make it to their older brother’s place in Oakland.

Once they’re in the U.S., things don’t get better. They have to go to a new school, learn English, and work crappy jobs to pay off the debt they owe to the coyota. Plus, they’re always worried about getting deported and have to deal with normal teenager stuff like girls and fitting in and the dude gets his girlfriend pregnant, awful idea. They only really have each other for support, but they keep making choices that are stupid, skipping school and getting into drama at home instead of focusing on what matters. I didn’t like the book that much because it felt like they kept making stupid decisions that made their lives harder when they could’ve just tried to stay out of trouble and focus on school or work.

[Vance · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brutally honest narrative displaying bona fide insight around immigration to the USA. I appreciated Markham’s candid depiction which IMHO captures the nature of the majority of those seeking refuge in my homeland: by no means angels but by no means blood lusting terrorists. We are all hopelessly human and make mistakes, though I like to believe most strive to do good and are supportive of fellow beings --- the key distinction being that support comes once we recognize them as fellow beings and for many in the USA that distinction is not granted to immigrants. The power of the written word is to compel us to dwell upon a scenario for several hundred pages and that narrative ‘personalizes’ the experience, enabling us to recognize these particular immigrants as fellow human beings…the hope being that the perception may be extended.

The story was powerful and I felt the Afterword was a brilliant conclusion. Recognition that American foreign policy has planted the seeds for much of the violent discord driving a hefty chunk of illegal immigration could persuade many to be more supportive.

[Heidi Maloney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased and read the YA version of this book so I could add it to my classroom library. The story of Ernesto and Raul Flores is hard to put into words; I cannot imagine having gone through everything these young men have at their age. Born and raised in El Salvador, their lives are severely affected by gang violence, and they make the decision to head for the North.

This book tracks the boys’ experience from their harrowing journey to the US, navigating their new lives, while continually trying to help their family back in El Salvador. I really felt for each family member. I feel like I’ve learned a lot more about the immigration process. Reading stories such as this one is so important to me — if you can read a story like this, and still be someone who supports building walls, I ask that you take a look in the mirror and thank your God, deity, the Universe for having the sheer luck and privilege of being born here.

[Read Ribbet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Markham's adult nonfiction book on immigration has been adapted for young adults. It the story of tells the story of twin brothers who leave El Salvador seeking a better, safer life in the US. Their story is one of what happens to unaccompanied minors. While it starts in El Salvador, most of the account is the twin's legal, educational, employment struggles to find the life they dreamed of in the United States. Their story primarily preceded recent immigration policies and events but certainly provides information, issues and insights into contemporary events. The personal story is well document and supported with statistical information as well. It was a very engaging and educational read.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Far Away Brothers (Adapted for Young Adults): Two Teenage Immigrants Making a Life in America is the story of immigrants from El Salvador and the tough decisions they have to make in their home country, on the journey, and after arriving in the US. Markham writes like a journalist and uses essential details to create a story and a sense of the twins' experiences. I'd recommend this book for people trying to understand what the experience of some people in America is like and the difficulties they face at every turn.

[Kyra · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Far Away Brothers was an amazing book, opening my eyes to another group of people of whom I was ignorant to. Lauren Markham takes readers on a deep dive into the true story of two twins from El Salvador who came to the United States to escape the gang violence in their home country. The story is raw, intense, and real, shining light on the realities that illegal immigrants experience both on their way to the U.S. and once in the U.S. Markham does an excellent job of disproving the various false conceptions that have taken root in the country as of late. This is a thoroughly researched, firsthand account for anyone wishing to learn more about illegal immigration.

[Gina Malanga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books like these are never easy to read. To read first hand about what people, old and young, go through to get to America is almost incomprehensible. You have to realize after reading that no one would choose this situation if they didn’t have to. For the twins Raul and Ernesto their journey from El Salvator to get away from vicious gangs is one that shows true courage. Even more than that is what they have to do to survive in America, not the cake walk some people would have you believe, all while dealing with pressures from home, depression and PTSD. Books like this are sooooo important because they make us aware, they hopefully build empathy and understanding.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Personally, I think I would have preferred the full adult version. I feel like the YA version watered the book down a lot - more than what teens would need. Often, Teens are underestimated, and I think that this book does that. However, it had valuable information in it and is perfect for developing empathy for illegal immigrants. What other choice did these young men have? It's a hard life being undocumented in the US, but at least they didn't have to fear for their lives. Overall, it was educational and I hope for the best for these two young men.

[Merynn Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Far Away Brothers is about Ernesto and Raul, two seventeen Salvadoran twins who flee from El Salvador to make a life in America. Before they travel to America they make their way from El Salvador across Rio Grande and the Texas desert, into immigration authorities, and from there to their estranged older brother in Oakland, CA. These twins had many difficulties along their journey to get to America but they kept going and never gave up. The twins, Ernesto and Raul taught me to never give up even when something might be difficult or impossible. I loved reading this book and hope that this inspires many other people throughout their lives.

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very timely and compelling read. It was so well done that I kept thinking it was fiction until I remembered that this was a journalistic account of two teens, twins, hunted by gangs in El Salvador who sneak into the US with the help of Coyotes.
I’ve heard versions of this story reported on NPR so many times and this really helped fill in the background exactly what these migrants lives are like. Heartbreaking, riveting, thought provoking.

[Staci Vought · Rating 4 out of 5]

The experiences the Flores brothers have gone through are unsettling, and it is clear that their story is just one of so many coming out of El Salvador and dealing with intense gang violence. Lauren Markham does a great job telling their story from a distance and sticking to the facts when the story turns political. Their story continues, and I wish the book had, too. I wonder how their lives have progressed...

[Maja · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really well written. In our current political climate here the U.S.A, I feel that stories like these really need to be told and need to be told well so people can truly see the struggles immigrants face and why they come to America. The depth Markham gives to their story is truly amazing.

[Cherie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating book about one family's tale to making their way in America from El Salvador. When twin brothers leave El Salvador because their very lives are in danger, the whole family web is impacted by this struggle. But making it - and finding refugee - in the US isn't as easy as it seems. So interesting, but just a real story about the reality of El Salvadorean immigrants in the US.

[Jackueline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it's a very good story even though it might have strong language at times it's a fabulous book. And at times it's sad but it's the reality how there is jealousy around all the time and the people that say that they are happy for you don't always mean it. And I love how it had very good information to back up what was going gon in the book with the twins

[Hannah Mitchell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall a good book but it's not what I normally read. Thank English class for that haha.
The title of the book basically tells you what its about. The book is about twin brothers who make the journey up to the US with the help of some company to try to get away from the violence back at home. They make a new life, meet new people, go to school, and work to try to pay off the debts back home.

[Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a good example of information and entertainment. This book left me captivated and excited about the characters. I have learned a good amount of information about the lifestyle in other countries. Also about what it may be like for many other people in this same situation. If I get the chance I would love to read another novel from this author because of the detail.

[Lexus Waters · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book really opens your eyes to show what immigrants have to go through just to live somewhere away from harm, they have to walk hundreds of miles through the deserts just to find freedom and peace and safety. but yet after their long trek and with their feet in america they still have so many things to do to finally be safe and an American citizen

[Kms · Rating 4 out of 5]

当作小说借回的青少版报告文学，讲述了一对萨尔瓦多双胞胎兄弟偷渡到美国的前前后后。

作者一边讲故事，一边介绍萨尔瓦多黑帮历史，通过此书了解美国在其中扮演的重要角色。

书中有段文字：We have played a major part in creating the violent in Central America, and we must play a major part in solving it. 只可惜这只是记者之言，并非美国政府的观点。

透过这段历史，看看今天的中东、东欧，但凡动乱之地，都少不了美国的影子，香港的青年人是不是应该放下砖头坐下来读读书了？