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Journey of the Sparrows
Nailed into a crate in the back of a truck, fifteen-year-old Maria, her older sister, Julia, their little brother, Oscar, and a boy named Tomas endure a terrifying and torturous journey across the U.S. border and then north to Chicago. There they struggle to find work-cleaning, sewing, washing dishes-always fearful of arrest and deportation back to the cruelties of El Salvador. By turns heartbreaking and hopeful, this moving story of the secret lives of immigrants is not to be missed.
A gripping, lyrical portrayal of a continuing American dilemma." ( Kirkus Reviews , pointer review)
A gripping, lyrical portrayal of a continuing American dilemma." ( Kirkus Reviews , pointer review)
160 pages, Paperback
First published September 30, 1991
27 people are currently reading
274 people want to read
About the author
Fran Leeper Buss
9 books3 followersFran Leeper Buss was an American oral historian, ordained minister, author, teacher, social worker, photographer, and feminist. She dedicated her career to documenting the lives of marginalized women in the United States through oral history.
Born Francis Barker in Manchester, Iowa, she spent much of her childhood in Dubuque. She earned a teaching degree from the University of Iowa in 1964, a Master of Divinity from the Iliff School of Theology, and a Ph.D. in 20th-century American history from the University of Arizona in 1995.
In 1971, she co-founded the Women's Crisis and Information Center in Fort Collins, Colorado. She later served as a minister alongside her husband, David Buss, in the Campus/Community Ministry in Las Vegas, New Mexico, where she was ordained in 1976. She also taught women's studies at the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater, and the University of Arizona.
Buss spent over four decades collecting the stories of women facing economic and social struggles. Her first oral history project was with Jesusita Aragon, a traditional midwife, whose life story she published as La Partera: Story of a Midwife (1980). She continued her work by traveling across the country, documenting the lives of lower-income women, leading to books such as Dignity: Lower Income Women Tell of Their Lives and Struggles (1985), Forged under the Sun: The Life of Maria Elena Lucas (1993), and Moisture of the Earth: Mary Robinson, Civil Rights and Textile Union Activist (2009).
In 1991, she published the young adult novel Journey of the Sparrows, which depicts the experiences of undocumented Latin American migrants in the U.S. The book has been translated into multiple languages, adapted into a play, and won the Jane Addams Children's Book Award in 1992.
Later in her career, she reflected on her decades of oral history work in Memory, Meaning, and Resistance: Reflecting on Oral History and Women at the Margins (2017). The original transcripts of her interviews, along with her research materials, are housed at Harvard University’s Schlesinger Library.
Buss received the first annual Catherine Prelinger Prize in 1998 for her contributions to women's history and was recognized by the American Library Association in 2018 for her academic work.
Born Francis Barker in Manchester, Iowa, she spent much of her childhood in Dubuque. She earned a teaching degree from the University of Iowa in 1964, a Master of Divinity from the Iliff School of Theology, and a Ph.D. in 20th-century American history from the University of Arizona in 1995.
In 1971, she co-founded the Women's Crisis and Information Center in Fort Collins, Colorado. She later served as a minister alongside her husband, David Buss, in the Campus/Community Ministry in Las Vegas, New Mexico, where she was ordained in 1976. She also taught women's studies at the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater, and the University of Arizona.
Buss spent over four decades collecting the stories of women facing economic and social struggles. Her first oral history project was with Jesusita Aragon, a traditional midwife, whose life story she published as La Partera: Story of a Midwife (1980). She continued her work by traveling across the country, documenting the lives of lower-income women, leading to books such as Dignity: Lower Income Women Tell of Their Lives and Struggles (1985), Forged under the Sun: The Life of Maria Elena Lucas (1993), and Moisture of the Earth: Mary Robinson, Civil Rights and Textile Union Activist (2009).
In 1991, she published the young adult novel Journey of the Sparrows, which depicts the experiences of undocumented Latin American migrants in the U.S. The book has been translated into multiple languages, adapted into a play, and won the Jane Addams Children's Book Award in 1992.
Later in her career, she reflected on her decades of oral history work in Memory, Meaning, and Resistance: Reflecting on Oral History and Women at the Margins (2017). The original transcripts of her interviews, along with her research materials, are housed at Harvard University’s Schlesinger Library.
Buss received the first annual Catherine Prelinger Prize in 1998 for her contributions to women's history and was recognized by the American Library Association in 2018 for her academic work.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
July 18, 2019
Fifteen-year-old Maria is a Salvadorean refugee arriving in Chicago in winter with her siblings. Other family members have been killed, and her mother and baby sister have stayed behind in Mexico.
This story paints a vivid picture of one reason why families leave their home, and the experiences they can go through if they make it as far as the US.
While I do not relate to or connect with the folkloric and religious imagery throughout this story, I feel it's well written and so important.
I do wish the cover art better reflected our protagonist. Being "dark" is a poignant and meaningful element in the story, and I would like the cover to reflect that.
This story paints a vivid picture of one reason why families leave their home, and the experiences they can go through if they make it as far as the US.
While I do not relate to or connect with the folkloric and religious imagery throughout this story, I feel it's well written and so important.
I do wish the cover art better reflected our protagonist. Being "dark" is a poignant and meaningful element in the story, and I would like the cover to reflect that.
July 11, 2010
Snapshot: When we first meet Maria, she, her younger brother Oscar, and her older and very-pregnant sister Julia, are stuffed in crates aboard a US freight train, hungry, tired and cold. They have escaped war-torn El Salvador to Chicago after their father and Julia’s husband Ramon are slaughtered by the Salvadoran Guardias. Maria’s mother stays in Mexico because her baby sister Teresa is ill and the family cannot risk crossing the border with her. Maria assumes full responsibility for the welfare of the family in Chicago and the story shows her coming of age. While in Chicago, she deals with the demands and challenges of culture, language, and assimilation and finds work, love, and freedom. When Mama is arrested in Mexico and sent to a refugee camp in Honduras, Maria travels back to Mexico to find Teresa, and then back to Chicago to unite her with the rest of the family, hoping that someday her mother will join them too.
“Hook”: It’s a coming of age love story that all middle school students can relate to, but also gives students the opportunity to explore deep and serious socio-historical issues.
Challenges: There are many topics discussed in this book that can be challenging for some students, especially those who have family who has lived through this time period or students who make personal connections to immigration and culture shock. The book discusses rape, war, sexual harassment and abuse of power in the workplace, illegal immigration/acculturation, and self esteem and skin color. The history of the Civil War in El Salvador and the politics of class and religion should be addressed as background. Finally, there are many characters in this book that Maria and the family encounter on their journey and keeping them (and the names) straight posed some difficulty for students. A family tree or sociogram would be helpful for students who are visual learners.
Student in mind: This is a great book for students in East Boston since the majority there are immigrants from El Salvador or have parents who grew up during the Civil War.
Conference notes: Have you ever felt that your family has given you too much responsibility? How does Maria feel about Tomas? Explain why the government in El Salvador was against Papa bringing a teacher to the village. Why is there a civil war in El Salvador? How does Maria feel about her skin color? How do you know? Would you have helped Maria in the way that Tomas and Dona Elena did? Why was there a raid at the factory where Maria works? What complications does Maria face as a result of not knowing English? How does Maria meet father Jonathan? Why do you think this is an important part in the story? What does the Quetzal Lady represent? What does the sparrow represent? What other symbols does the author use throughout the novel? Who is the last person in the book who helps Maria? Do you think Maria feels like she saved the family? What does Maria realize as she travels back to Chicago with Teresa? Do you think Mama will ever make it to Chicago?
Level: 7-8, High School ESL 3-4
“Hook”: It’s a coming of age love story that all middle school students can relate to, but also gives students the opportunity to explore deep and serious socio-historical issues.
Challenges: There are many topics discussed in this book that can be challenging for some students, especially those who have family who has lived through this time period or students who make personal connections to immigration and culture shock. The book discusses rape, war, sexual harassment and abuse of power in the workplace, illegal immigration/acculturation, and self esteem and skin color. The history of the Civil War in El Salvador and the politics of class and religion should be addressed as background. Finally, there are many characters in this book that Maria and the family encounter on their journey and keeping them (and the names) straight posed some difficulty for students. A family tree or sociogram would be helpful for students who are visual learners.
Student in mind: This is a great book for students in East Boston since the majority there are immigrants from El Salvador or have parents who grew up during the Civil War.
Conference notes: Have you ever felt that your family has given you too much responsibility? How does Maria feel about Tomas? Explain why the government in El Salvador was against Papa bringing a teacher to the village. Why is there a civil war in El Salvador? How does Maria feel about her skin color? How do you know? Would you have helped Maria in the way that Tomas and Dona Elena did? Why was there a raid at the factory where Maria works? What complications does Maria face as a result of not knowing English? How does Maria meet father Jonathan? Why do you think this is an important part in the story? What does the Quetzal Lady represent? What does the sparrow represent? What other symbols does the author use throughout the novel? Who is the last person in the book who helps Maria? Do you think Maria feels like she saved the family? What does Maria realize as she travels back to Chicago with Teresa? Do you think Mama will ever make it to Chicago?
Level: 7-8, High School ESL 3-4
December 6, 2014
This book could not hold my attention span for long. Don't call me heartless, because I have done missions in mexico for years. Most people who like this book are probably just pretending to care for their social image. (Be honest. You are.) It is in no way a bad book, it has some great ideas behind it, but it is just executed in a mediocre fashion.
What is it:
A historical fiction feel-good about illegal immigration.
Who wrote it:
Fran Leeper Buss
Negatives:
I know this is nitpicking, but if the woman on the cover is an illegal immigrant, why does she have so much makeup on? Maybe it's the quetzal lady? But
The quetzal lady is homeless! Second off, it is called journey of the sparrows, but it does not talk about the journey to america. It goes on and on about the
characters home in el salvador, and america, but never the journey! The characters met a kid named tomas and stayed in mexico. That's so important but it never talks about this. For such a bold choice to have a young adult book be about the real world the tone... how do I explain it... does nothing. Every
other chapter they talk about mary the mother of jesus. I understand that the characters are catholic and I don't hate catholics, but it gets annoying.
Positives:
Despite not going into detail about mexico, one of the book's strongest points is it's character development. It is very realistic and portays illegal immigration very well. Despite seeing the ending coming, there were some touching moments in the last chapter. I know that at first glance this doesn't look like much when compared to the negatives, but in the end it counts for a lot.
Verdict:
I would have given this book 3 stars, but goodreads would have labeled predictable feel goods as suggestions. Yeesh. For all it's heart, realisticness and novel ideas for young adult literature, it lacks a lot of the freshness that make feel-goods like mary poppins and the sound of music what they are. It ignores whole parts of people's lives and hammers home certain things to the point of annoyance.
Grade
C+
What is it:
A historical fiction feel-good about illegal immigration.
Who wrote it:
Fran Leeper Buss
Negatives:
I know this is nitpicking, but if the woman on the cover is an illegal immigrant, why does she have so much makeup on? Maybe it's the quetzal lady? But
The quetzal lady is homeless! Second off, it is called journey of the sparrows, but it does not talk about the journey to america. It goes on and on about the
characters home in el salvador, and america, but never the journey! The characters met a kid named tomas and stayed in mexico. That's so important but it never talks about this. For such a bold choice to have a young adult book be about the real world the tone... how do I explain it... does nothing. Every
other chapter they talk about mary the mother of jesus. I understand that the characters are catholic and I don't hate catholics, but it gets annoying.
Positives:
Despite not going into detail about mexico, one of the book's strongest points is it's character development. It is very realistic and portays illegal immigration very well. Despite seeing the ending coming, there were some touching moments in the last chapter. I know that at first glance this doesn't look like much when compared to the negatives, but in the end it counts for a lot.
Verdict:
I would have given this book 3 stars, but goodreads would have labeled predictable feel goods as suggestions. Yeesh. For all it's heart, realisticness and novel ideas for young adult literature, it lacks a lot of the freshness that make feel-goods like mary poppins and the sound of music what they are. It ignores whole parts of people's lives and hammers home certain things to the point of annoyance.
Grade
C+
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April 20, 2013I thought it was a really amazing book. In 7th grade, I even wrote an essay on journey of the sparrows.
September 24, 2015
This book was very amazing because it gave me an idea about what is happening. I mean what happened in the book is still happening in real life.
March 24, 2025
Journey of the Sparrow by: Fran Leeper Buss with the assistance of Daisy Cubias
Is a girl called Maria that has 1 sister called julia and their uncles that has abusive parents (father, mother) that do slave slave work with their childrens and if they do not they slap them . She lives in India but she and their uncles and sister choose to go to the U.S being illegal immigrants needing to live there without police finding them. This book is good because it has a lot of plot twists like when she needs to leave India to the U.S being an illegal immigrant or when she needs to escape from the police.This book entertains me a lot and I think about how their life is going now.For who wants finds a book that you think that will be boring is not this book because you think that they will do one thing but they do another think because of this I like but I think to that is to mut dramatic that she only can go to another state instead going to another country being illegal immigrant, and I think that this book is to mute short that the writer can develop more the idea counting with more details so for Journey of Sparrow I give 4 stars
Is a girl called Maria that has 1 sister called julia and their uncles that has abusive parents (father, mother) that do slave slave work with their childrens and if they do not they slap them . She lives in India but she and their uncles and sister choose to go to the U.S being illegal immigrants needing to live there without police finding them. This book is good because it has a lot of plot twists like when she needs to leave India to the U.S being an illegal immigrant or when she needs to escape from the police.This book entertains me a lot and I think about how their life is going now.For who wants finds a book that you think that will be boring is not this book because you think that they will do one thing but they do another think because of this I like but I think to that is to mut dramatic that she only can go to another state instead going to another country being illegal immigrant, and I think that this book is to mute short that the writer can develop more the idea counting with more details so for Journey of Sparrow I give 4 stars
July 29, 2023
Maria is a teenager when she flees El Salvador, where—due to civil war—it is no longer safe for her family to live. But nothing, from the perilous journey over the border to finding work to ensuring that her younger brother doesn't starve like other siblings have, is easy.
I read this in grade six, and I retained only three bits of it then: a scene in which the narrator is nailed in a crate in the back of a truck and another child wets himself in fright; a vague impression of a crowded room with the Virgin Mary on the wall; and the fact that it was assigned reading for school, and we had to get permission slips signed—probably because there are references to sexual violence. I lost my permission slip, so my father wrote me a note saying that I had permission to read whatever I liked.
Those details have flitted in and out of my memory for years, so I'm glad to have finally found it again to make the rest of it more concrete. The things that stand out now are 1) the importance of the Virgin Mary in the book, and in Maria's life, and 2) how little things have changed for so many refugees. This translates incredibly well to the present day, even accounting for things like changes in technology—if Maria were a fifteen-year-old in 2023 trying to, say, escape poverty and starvation in Venezuela, she might have a cell phone, but she'd still likely face racism and violence and a struggle to survive in the brittle cold of Chicago.
Some things—not all—are looking up for Maria by the end of the book, and I appreciate the refusal to make this a rosy story with an unrealistically happy ending for all. Instead there's hope for better things in the future, but still a long way to go. I hope this is still being taught in middle school classrooms.
I read this in grade six, and I retained only three bits of it then: a scene in which the narrator is nailed in a crate in the back of a truck and another child wets himself in fright; a vague impression of a crowded room with the Virgin Mary on the wall; and the fact that it was assigned reading for school, and we had to get permission slips signed—probably because there are references to sexual violence. I lost my permission slip, so my father wrote me a note saying that I had permission to read whatever I liked.
Those details have flitted in and out of my memory for years, so I'm glad to have finally found it again to make the rest of it more concrete. The things that stand out now are 1) the importance of the Virgin Mary in the book, and in Maria's life, and 2) how little things have changed for so many refugees. This translates incredibly well to the present day, even accounting for things like changes in technology—if Maria were a fifteen-year-old in 2023 trying to, say, escape poverty and starvation in Venezuela, she might have a cell phone, but she'd still likely face racism and violence and a struggle to survive in the brittle cold of Chicago.
Some things—not all—are looking up for Maria by the end of the book, and I appreciate the refusal to make this a rosy story with an unrealistically happy ending for all. Instead there's hope for better things in the future, but still a long way to go. I hope this is still being taught in middle school classrooms.
June 1, 2018
I decided to read this novel when I was the summaries of the back of the books in the library. While I was reading one of my classmates came up and told me that it was a very good book and that I'd like it, so I decided to read it. The novel is about a hispanic family who crosses the border into the United States. They face challenges throughout the way with jobs, food and money, forcing them to fight for everything they can get. To me this plot was very interesting and it dragged my attention toward every single plot change that happened during the novel. I would recommend this book to anyone 14 and older, and to people who like to read about travel and journeys.
August 6, 2017
Hard to read because the lives of children fleeing El Salvador via Mexico to the US are dangerous, sorrowful and stark. But while realistic, the story is also hopeful and beautifully told and the characters are sympathetic and round. Worth reading for the inside look at this side of life most of us know little about. The specific terrors women faced are mentioned though not described outright, so parents of younger readers might want to screen and/or discuss.
March 15, 2020
From the first emotional journey of 3 El Salvadoran children and 1 young adult locked in crates journeying to Chicago, to the end this book tugs on the heartstrings. But it brought to light the unsafe and horrific conditions many El Salvadorans fled from, and the hateful way immigrants, legal and illegal, are treated in this country.
Own Voices Global Reading Challenge: Central America
Own Voices Global Reading Challenge: Central America
July 17, 2018
I only read the first third, maybe, but the first chapter (the actual immigration journey) was riveting. I hope to excerpt that chapter for our immigration unit. The rest gets a bit mature - Coby also loved the first chapter but thought that parts of the rest were inappropriate.
November 20, 2023
This is the book I chose to build an interdisciplinary unit around for my Master's program. It tells a gripping story, with believable characters. It is still timely (in 2023 as it was in 1992 when I first read it). It gives a clear picture of the plight of immigrants from Latin America.
March 11, 2022
Un libro muy interesante y conmovedor sobre la historia de una adolescente y su familia salvadoreña que tiene que huir de los horrores de la guerra.
Recomiendo ampliamente, se me fue como agua.
Recomiendo ampliamente, se me fue como agua.
July 21, 2022
Powerful immigration story. Heartbreaking too. The prose is a bit stilted, not sure why.
September 29, 2022
Pomona Catholic highschool fucking sucks but at least I stole this book and really liked it
November 27, 2022
This was such a depressing but powerful book. I'm glad I read it, but I don't see myself reading it again.
September 21, 2009
I was extremely moved by this play and found Friedman’s dramatization of a novel both ambitious and extremely artistically executed. In addition to creating compelling characters each struggling with a myriad of different issues, Friedman includes several mythological characters who help propel the story by adding folklore and mythology as inspiration to continue fighting.
Perhaps because I am from a border town (El Paso), I am interested in immigration issues and this play certainly deals with a myriad of them, never once in a trivial manner. However, as I was reading this play, I found myself wondering why/how it is considered “for young audiences.” Not only are the immigration issues difficult to explain and understand (the children are given drugs to make them not cry in the crates on the journey and the danger of overdose are extremely high) but this play also included a rape scene and the very real fear that children were going to die—both the children in the play and Maria’s niece who is currently in utero. I think that these issues would be very hard to explain to a ten-year old (the back of the play suggest ages 10+). Regardless, I enjoyed this play very much and would be very interested to hear how productions of it have been received—particularly by young audiences.
Perhaps because I am from a border town (El Paso), I am interested in immigration issues and this play certainly deals with a myriad of them, never once in a trivial manner. However, as I was reading this play, I found myself wondering why/how it is considered “for young audiences.” Not only are the immigration issues difficult to explain and understand (the children are given drugs to make them not cry in the crates on the journey and the danger of overdose are extremely high) but this play also included a rape scene and the very real fear that children were going to die—both the children in the play and Maria’s niece who is currently in utero. I think that these issues would be very hard to explain to a ten-year old (the back of the play suggest ages 10+). Regardless, I enjoyed this play very much and would be very interested to hear how productions of it have been received—particularly by young audiences.
April 25, 2012
Journey of the Sparrows by Fran Leeper Buss is a really good book that really illustrates the American Dream by showing how many immigrants think that if you are fleeing oppression you can come to America and you will be safe. Also, that if you work hard you will have endless opportunity. When Maria is forced from her home in Mexico to the dangerous road to America, she opens her eyes to all her possibilities in America. She must work all day every day to keep her family fed and try to pay passage to get her mom and sister to America along with them. When Maria's mother is captured and her sister Teresa is kept with a family friend, she knows she must do something. Maria maked the long trek back to Mexico and helps her sister back to America where their family will live together in the hope of finding a better life. This book was pretty good, but it wasn't the best. There was a lot of really confusing parts in this book because it didn't go into to much detail because this book is more for a younger audience. It was very accurate because the author's are cultural insiders so they knew a lot about the Mexican ways. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about the American Dream and the hard lives immigrants face.
November 2, 2008
This book is a great multi-cultural resource for the classroom. The book traces the struggles of Maria, a 15 year old from El Salvador, her older sister Julia, and younger brother Oscar. The three children are the only family members to escape the US backed war ravaging their country. Coming to Chicago nailed in crates, their journey to survive in America is often heart breaking, but never hopeless. This book would be an immense help to ESL Spanish speaking students, since they may have a cultural basis to relate to the book(language, life experiences as immigrants/migrant workers/experiences as non English speakers/similar religious beliefs/similar family ethics etc). Younger readers could explore elements of plot, characterization or basic symbolism (sparrow and quetzal birds). Older readers could discuss social dynamics or maybe political elements (US immigration policy, US support during El Salvador's Civil War, the brief mention of the Black Panther Party etc). It's a great classroom resource!
April 27, 2012
Journey of the Sparrows, by Fran Leeper Buss, tells the story of Maria and her siblings' journey into "the land of the rich." They flee from oppression in America and search for freedom. Maria tells of how she, Julia, and Oscar must work very hard in Chicago and hide from the police so they won't get caught and sent back to El Salvador. They are trying to help their mama and baby sister, Teresa get to Chicago safely as well. This great book really opened my eyes to what El Salvadorian Americans had to go through for freedom in America. The plot was very credible, interesting, and leaves you wondering what will happen to Maria and her family next. There is a slightly questionable part where Maria's first employer takes her aside, and tries to "hurt her bad" in a not very good way. For the most part, when they made certain references, they said it in such a way that unless you knew exactly what they were talking about, it isn't very questionable. I would recommend this book to anyone mature who wants to learn more about El Salvadorians immigrating to America.
May 25, 2012
Journey of the Sparrows, a historical fiction novel written by Fran Leeper Buss, gives an accurate story of the adjustments and obstacles of immigrating. The setting is in a time of political instability in El Salvador. This courageous family from El Salvador comes to America stuffed in crates for hours, while they are driven across Central America. Upon arrival in America, they move to Chicago to find jobs. This book portrays America as a place for opportunity, refuge, and freedom. The characters are involved in a parallel culture and act in believable ways. Hearing the story as Maria in first person definitely benefits the story at times like the climax. The story contains a great plot with a rising and falling action with an immense climax. The characters show themes of courage and helping others as Maria tries to reunite her family again. If you love the American Dream, immigration stories, along with stories that show faith and determination, this story is a mixture that concocts all these wonderful aspects.
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April 18, 2007From the Publisher
Nailed into a crate in the back of a truck, fifteen-year-old Maria, her older sister Julia, their little brother Oscar, and a boy named Tomas endure a cruel journey across the U.S. border and then north to Chicago. There they struggle to find work—cleaning, sewing, washing dishes—always careful to remain "invisible" so the authorities won't arrest and deport them.
Despite the family's ordeals, hope and love can be found—in Maria's budding romance with Tomas, in the help given by a kindly midwife and priest, and most of all, in the stories Maria tells to lift the family's spirits, of a little sparrow who brings a rainbow.
Starkly realistic and tenderly poetic, this powerfully moving story of the secret lives of immigrants who courageously triumph over incredible obstacles is not to be missed.
Nailed into a crate in the back of a truck, fifteen-year-old Maria, her older sister Julia, their little brother Oscar, and a boy named Tomas endure a cruel journey across the U.S. border and then north to Chicago. There they struggle to find work—cleaning, sewing, washing dishes—always careful to remain "invisible" so the authorities won't arrest and deport them.
Despite the family's ordeals, hope and love can be found—in Maria's budding romance with Tomas, in the help given by a kindly midwife and priest, and most of all, in the stories Maria tells to lift the family's spirits, of a little sparrow who brings a rainbow.
Starkly realistic and tenderly poetic, this powerfully moving story of the secret lives of immigrants who courageously triumph over incredible obstacles is not to be missed.
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May 25, 2012Journey of the Sparrows relates to many people seeking for refuge illegally and fighting to stay alive. In this first person point of view book, a family seeks for refuge from the Gardias in their country, El Salvador, and comes to America. Fifteen year old Maria, well developed protagonist of this book, is told various times that she'll be the one to save her family. The interesting plot is of Maria's family's journey to America and how they try to survive. Two of the main themes in this book is having hope and being prepared and ready for anything. It takes place in America and near U.S.'s border. Also it seems to be from the past and is authentic. The engaged writing style is appropriate and leaves you in suspense and makes you want to read more. I strongly advise anyone who is generally looking for a good book about the American Dream to read this book.
July 13, 2009
I read this one because one of my customers recommended it to me. She had read it in class and really liked it, so I decided to give it a try. WOW, kids are reading some great things these days. It's about a family of Salvadorans who flee to Mexico after the U.S.-backed Guardia kill their father and rape their oldest sister. The mother can only afford to send 3 of them across the border to the U.S. so the 3 oldest children are nailed into crates and smuggled all the way to Chicago on a fruit truck. The story is about their struggle to survive illegally in the United States and their attempt to make enough money to bring their mother and youngest sister across the border. It's really well-written and really emotional. I highly recommend it.
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April 24, 2012When Maria's home in Mexico is invaded by "guardias" and her father and brother-in-law are killed, she is forced to take her pregnant older sister and older brother across the border and into America to find a new life. Journey of the Sparrows is a contemporary book told from a first-persons point of view that reveal's themes of family relationships and just how far a young girl will go to provide for her family. When Maria's home country is no longer a safe place for her and her family, she moves to America and is able to flee the oppression she was facing. I really enjoyed reading this book. I realized many of the problems of immigration which changed my view on the subject. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good read that will leave an impression.
February 12, 2011
Maria’s father was murdered by government soldiers in El Salvador. Maria, her widowed, pregnant sister and her fragile little brother flee the country. By boat, plane, train? NO. Nailed into a crate in the back of a truck. They cross the Mexico border and then go north to Chicago. They struggle to find work--cleaning, sewing, washing dishes--always careful to remain "invisible," so that the authorities won't arrest them as illegal aliens and send them back. But the news comes that her baby sister is in danger. Maria must make the journey back down south from Chicago to save her baby sister and smuggle her across the border.
April 27, 2012
Nailed into a vegetable crate, Maria and her siblings (Julia, and Oscar) are shipped to America to be free from the harsh conditions in their hometown, El Salvador. They struggle to find jobs, and food, and Julia is pregnant. They find jobs, and food but are very fearful of being caught and deported back to El Salvador. Maria sees things in America in a beautiful, and crucial way. She describes the conditions of Chicago, the people, and home she lives in. I liked, but didn't love this book. I thought it was descriptive, but over-done. I recommend this book to people ages 11, and up who are looking for a descriptive insight on the American Dream.
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October 22, 2009i sorry i read this i can't understand because I'm just came from Thailand about two years ago. I didn't read very well and i don't know English well. that i read this i can't understand about it.
the teacher said to me we due the book review by this Friday 10/23/09
who know about this book
"Journey of the sparrows"
Setting
Summary of main idea
transition to body
main characters
major conflict (what kind and what is it)
plot of story
rising action
climax
resolution
your opinion
strengths
weaknesses
examples and quotes supporting the above
email to me thaoyeng92@hotmail.com
the teacher said to me we due the book review by this Friday 10/23/09
who know about this book
"Journey of the sparrows"
Setting
Summary of main idea
transition to body
main characters
major conflict (what kind and what is it)
plot of story
rising action
climax
resolution
your opinion
strengths
weaknesses
examples and quotes supporting the above
email to me thaoyeng92@hotmail.com
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2014
I loved this book. It describes a journey of 3 siblings leaving their country of El Salvador to come the United States. It gives a realistic and heartbreaking experience of illegal immigrants and the choices they are faced with. This makes a perfect connection to what is currently happening today with kids and teens leaving their countries to come to the United states. I like the fact that this novel exposes the plight of young immigrants trying to enter this country. Gave me a different perspective on the whole issue.
January 29, 2012
I think this book had a decent premise and filled a gap in my classroom library (Salvadorean students). That being said, I didn't find the book's language to be particularly friendly to ELL students (lots of long, drawn-out descriptions) and with reference to the Guardias it might be a bit outdated for today's students. This book works if you have a need for it but otherwise is not a necessary classroom add.
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