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Torn Between Worlds: A Mexican immigrant's journey to find herself
This is the story of Isabel, a 12-year-old Mexican girl who comes to the United States illegally in search of a better life with her father. A story common to many Mexicans. She has to leave her mother behind and this makes her sad. People demand she speak English, a language she doesn't know well. She doesn't feel welcome living with her uncle and his family and is very lonely. How will she cope?
Her kind sixth-grade teacher suggests Isabel keep a journal, where she can pour out the feelings she used to share with her mother. She encourages her to take home the newspaper to read to improve her English and learn about world events and politics. Isabel is horrified by the events that take place on September 11, 2001 in the US, witnesses a political demonstration in Oaxaca, Mexico where people are killed, and is forced to flee to Madrid, Spain to keep her and her mother safe from harm. Will all this chaos prevent Isabel from finding a way to feel connected to the world around her?
This coming-of-age story is written in journal format, spanning three years and three countries. Follow Isabel as she grows from innocent child into confident young woman through turbulent times.
Her kind sixth-grade teacher suggests Isabel keep a journal, where she can pour out the feelings she used to share with her mother. She encourages her to take home the newspaper to read to improve her English and learn about world events and politics. Isabel is horrified by the events that take place on September 11, 2001 in the US, witnesses a political demonstration in Oaxaca, Mexico where people are killed, and is forced to flee to Madrid, Spain to keep her and her mother safe from harm. Will all this chaos prevent Isabel from finding a way to feel connected to the world around her?
This coming-of-age story is written in journal format, spanning three years and three countries. Follow Isabel as she grows from innocent child into confident young woman through turbulent times.
249 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2021
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356 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 9, 2021
Torn Between Worlds is the life story told from the diary of Isabel, a nine-year-old girl who is taken by her father from Mexico to the United States, not through Customs, but through the desert in a trip arranged by a coyote. This young adult coming of age story takes Isabel from Mexico to the United States, back to Mexico, and then to Spain. Along the way, she relates historical events such as the September 11th, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, deadly protests in Mexico, and the horrific 2004 Madrid train bombings. We are shown both Isabel’s daily life and world events through her diary, as her father takes her back to Mexico and she ends up going to Spain with her mother, who is fleeing prosecution in Mexico for her political activism. The author Nancy Blodgett Klein does a good job in this epistolary novel, as we see Isabel grow through her written voice from a 9 year old to a teenager, and then beyond. Although Isabel is a middle-grader for most of this story, I would recommend this only to young adults and above, as it contains very sensitive subject matter, such as violence and rape.
I downloaded a copy of this book on Kindle Unlimited, where subscribers can read it for free.
I downloaded a copy of this book on Kindle Unlimited, where subscribers can read it for free.
February 20, 2021
I love reading stories written in journal format as you really get to know the main character. Young people especially are very honest about their feelings and thoughts when writing in their journal. The author has done a great job of writing from the point of view of a young illegal immigrant girl sharing her innermost thoughts as she deals with trying to fit in, a new language and frightening current events. Isabelle is living in the United States at the time of the 911 attacks. A scary time for all young people but even more so for immigrant children. She documents her fears, joys, ideas and hopes as she moves between Mexico, the US, and Spain. We learn about her friends, her first kiss and how she deals with her parents failing marriage. Growing up is never easy, but for Isabelle, it's especially difficult. I highly recommend this book.
February 5, 2021
Coming of age across three countries
Torn Between Worlds tells the story of a Mexican girl who leaves her homeland to live in the United States and Spain. Told in journal entries, the girl’s story pivots around the economic and political realities that necessitate her moves. She must adapt to different lifestyles and languages as she grows into young womanhood. Her strength and insightfulness make her a heroine girls can look up to.
Torn Between Worlds tells the story of a Mexican girl who leaves her homeland to live in the United States and Spain. Told in journal entries, the girl’s story pivots around the economic and political realities that necessitate her moves. She must adapt to different lifestyles and languages as she grows into young womanhood. Her strength and insightfulness make her a heroine girls can look up to.
June 14, 2021
I’m sorry, but “illegal immigrant”? This is how you know this book was written by a white woman. This has red flags all over it.
December 8, 2021
Torn Between Worlds gripped me from the very start. I thought it was going to be about the plight of refugees – which it certainly reveals, but through the eyes of an adolescent girl. It is about much more, though: Isabel keeps a journal of her life in three different countries, and we see how world events impact her development as she recounts her questions, fears and dreams. It is written with such innocent clarity that it’s hard to believe an adult wrote it: the author certainly creates her character’s world so personally that we feel we really know young Isabel. Her story will stay with me for a long time, and when I see news of refugees I always wonder about the young girls among them..
February 3, 2021
I loved this very unusual story. Spanning three countries, very informative. I most enjoyed the latter part, where there was so much history of Spain and it's heritage.
June 10, 2022
This is a moving account of a young Mexican girl's coming of age as she follows in the footsteps of those forced to leave their families in Mexico and seek a better life in the United States. The book is well researched and demonstrates the difficulties faced by immigrants which are recorded by the young girl in a journal. It covers her experiences of many disturbing events including the attack on the US on September 11th, sexual assault and suicide. She eventually returns to her home in Mexico but is forced to flee with her mother to relatives in Spain to escape a dangerous situation. Once again she has to adjust to a new life without her friends as she struggles to feel like she belongs in another country. This is a moving account of the experiences of a young girl and it brings home to the reader the difficulties faced by migrants seeking a better life without danger. It is a story for everyone but in particular for young people to help them understand the experiences of those forced to seek a new life in another country.
February 20, 2022
A captivating account of an adolescent girl’s journey, who, forced by circumstance, searches for knowledge, a place in the world, freedom and acceptance.
Through Isobella’s Eyes and observation, noted in her journal, we travel with her and learn.
We sense the tensions at the border, feel the initial awkwardness within her new-found family. We experience her friendships, her compassion for others in similar situations. We travel back with her to Mexico. Experience her loss and the horrors of her people before moving with her to a new continent.
This account addresses a universal problem within every country and society, who, through desperation, ethnicity or political bias need to flee or search for acceptance and freedom in this world.
An excellent read.
Through Isobella’s Eyes and observation, noted in her journal, we travel with her and learn.
We sense the tensions at the border, feel the initial awkwardness within her new-found family. We experience her friendships, her compassion for others in similar situations. We travel back with her to Mexico. Experience her loss and the horrors of her people before moving with her to a new continent.
This account addresses a universal problem within every country and society, who, through desperation, ethnicity or political bias need to flee or search for acceptance and freedom in this world.
An excellent read.
December 3, 2021
I found this book original, well constructed and an excellent read. I congratulate Nancy Blodgett Klein on her research and imagination following a young girl's story as the developments of her life leads her through three countries. In each she has to learn to adjust to the very different cultures of the US, Mexico and Spain.
June 19, 2021
An absorbing and informative read, this is the coming-of-age story of young Isabel Martinez-Estrada as recorded in her journal covering the years 2001 to 2004.
We meet her as a child and leave her as a young woman, during which time she has travelled from the social fallout of post 9/11 Chicago back to the civil turbulence of her homeland in Southern Mexico and finally to Madrid, where she witnesses the aftermath of the terror attacks at first hand. Quite a journey!
She struggles to find her way between these radically different cultures and her strength of character stands her in good stead as she navigates the respective perils of the Mexican riot police and predatory boyfriends.
The trials of Isabel and her family capture the heart and, as we leave her on the threshold of womanhood, finally settled and with a bright future we can reflect on a journey well worth the taking.
We meet her as a child and leave her as a young woman, during which time she has travelled from the social fallout of post 9/11 Chicago back to the civil turbulence of her homeland in Southern Mexico and finally to Madrid, where she witnesses the aftermath of the terror attacks at first hand. Quite a journey!
She struggles to find her way between these radically different cultures and her strength of character stands her in good stead as she navigates the respective perils of the Mexican riot police and predatory boyfriends.
The trials of Isabel and her family capture the heart and, as we leave her on the threshold of womanhood, finally settled and with a bright future we can reflect on a journey well worth the taking.
March 24, 2021
I have been fortunate enough to have been able to download a copy of this fantastic book onto my tablet.
It follows the story of a lovely Mexican girl, Isabel Martinez-Estrada, in journal form. She illegally enters the USA with her father when she is only 9 years old, and you read about the harrowing trip from Oaxaca Mexico all the way to the poor side of Chicago. In Chicago she tells you about her everyday life and the kind teacher who understands what she is going through, and helps her along the way. You hear about her family and friends, and the devastating impact the terrorist attack on 9/11 brings to her and her friends. After 3 years of missing her home and her Mother and grandparents she and her father head back to Mexico.
In Mexico, she finds her grandmother who has deteriorated since Isabels’ grandfather died, and her mother doing dangerous work demonstrating to help teachers have better pay and for the students to have better schools. While in Mexico she finds herself torn between the USA and the life she lived there during the last 3 years, and the life she had prior to going to the USA. She feels like a person detached and without a country to call her own.
Then due to the danger to her mother’s life, she and her mother this time escape Mexico to try for a better, more safe life in Spain, with her aunt and uncle.
Finally, in Spain she eventually seems to find herself in her work as a journalist, which she considers as a gift from her favorite teacher in the USA.
I don’t want to give away too much of the story, but it is exciting and very realistic. Nancy Blodgett Klein has a way of bringing her characters to life. You feel like you have made a friend, and not only that, you can now empathize with suffering people everywhere. You cannot read this book and stay complaining about the very real struggle of immigrants everywhere escaping intolerable situations.
I highly recommend this book.
It follows the story of a lovely Mexican girl, Isabel Martinez-Estrada, in journal form. She illegally enters the USA with her father when she is only 9 years old, and you read about the harrowing trip from Oaxaca Mexico all the way to the poor side of Chicago. In Chicago she tells you about her everyday life and the kind teacher who understands what she is going through, and helps her along the way. You hear about her family and friends, and the devastating impact the terrorist attack on 9/11 brings to her and her friends. After 3 years of missing her home and her Mother and grandparents she and her father head back to Mexico.
In Mexico, she finds her grandmother who has deteriorated since Isabels’ grandfather died, and her mother doing dangerous work demonstrating to help teachers have better pay and for the students to have better schools. While in Mexico she finds herself torn between the USA and the life she lived there during the last 3 years, and the life she had prior to going to the USA. She feels like a person detached and without a country to call her own.
Then due to the danger to her mother’s life, she and her mother this time escape Mexico to try for a better, more safe life in Spain, with her aunt and uncle.
Finally, in Spain she eventually seems to find herself in her work as a journalist, which she considers as a gift from her favorite teacher in the USA.
I don’t want to give away too much of the story, but it is exciting and very realistic. Nancy Blodgett Klein has a way of bringing her characters to life. You feel like you have made a friend, and not only that, you can now empathize with suffering people everywhere. You cannot read this book and stay complaining about the very real struggle of immigrants everywhere escaping intolerable situations.
I highly recommend this book.
March 23, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this coming-of-age story of a young Mexican immigrant, first to the USA and then to Spain. Aimed at a teenage audience, the journal format is an ideal medium for revealing the hopes and dreams, fears and anxieties that resonate with teenagers the world over. The desire to ´fit in´with the crowd is made doubly challenging for Isabel, who needs to learn the ways of a new culture, not once but twice. Her childhood innocence is juxtaposed with a world of economic poverty, terrorism, sexual assault and suicide. It is the story, told through her own words, of how Isabel navigates this world into womanhood which makes this a very worthwhile read!
January 27, 2022
I would highly recommend this book to both young adults and older generations! It is written as the journal of Isabel, a young Mexican girl who is forced to leave Mexico with her father and Iive in America as an illegal immigrant and her subsequent life when she has to flee to Madrid!! It is a fascinating and informative insight into all the complexities of teenage emotions interweaved with the factual circumstances of what is happening across the world! Nancy Blodgett Klein has done a great job!!!
April 3, 2021
Being a teacher in a school with a large hispanic population this book touched my heart. It gave a voice to the children's experiences. So often I wished I could understand what they were feeling and this book did that. This would be an extraordinary read aloud to our students to open up the dialogue. Well done Nancy you have used your own experiences to help others understand a life outside their own !!!
January 5, 2022
I´ve recently read this book and thoroughly enjoyed it. I particularly liked the way it was written as a journal, it felt as if I was going along Isabel´s journey with her. Definitely one I would recommend.
January 17, 2022
Sensitively crafted story about Isabel, a young Mexican girl, having to adjust and cope with living in three different cultures. The book takes the narrative form of a journal so that you have direct insight into Isabel's thoughts as she grows from a child of 9 to a teenager where she begins to notice boys! Through her journal we also learn about her reaction to the terrorist attacks of 9/11 which occur when she's living in the U.S.
I learned many things. I had no idea that illegal immigrants in the U.S. (Chicago, in this instance) could go to school. I was also unaware of how dangerous - and violent - politics could be in Mexico - which cause Isabel and her mother to have to flee to Spain for sanctuary.
It was sad that Isabel had to make a choice between living with her father in the U.S. or going with her mother to Spain. No doubt many children find themselves in a similar situation when parents split. Isabel tells us how she feels about this, via her journal.
For young adult readers, this is a book definitely worth reading.
I learned many things. I had no idea that illegal immigrants in the U.S. (Chicago, in this instance) could go to school. I was also unaware of how dangerous - and violent - politics could be in Mexico - which cause Isabel and her mother to have to flee to Spain for sanctuary.
It was sad that Isabel had to make a choice between living with her father in the U.S. or going with her mother to Spain. No doubt many children find themselves in a similar situation when parents split. Isabel tells us how she feels about this, via her journal.
For young adult readers, this is a book definitely worth reading.
July 24, 2021
I enjoyed the journal style of writing and the author’s approach. I don’t believe this is a common experience and struggles to use this book to increase my understanding of the struggles of undocumented youth. With the shift later on the book I think the title needs to be adjusted.
July 9, 2021
Held my interest from the first page to the last
August 1, 2021
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.
YA novel in journal format set during the days around 9/11.
YA novel in journal format set during the days around 9/11.
July 30, 2021
Interesting perspective of an immigrant during the days of 9/11. Written as a young girls diary it follows the anxiousness of what will happen to her, and the family she has in the states, as well as the mother she left behind in Mexico.
June 6, 2022
I enjoyed this book so much written by Nancy Blodgett Kline! It was a real insight into the life of a young Mexican girl and the journal of her young life, I was sorry when it ended!!
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December 18, 2024Here is an independent review of my book from OnlineBookClub.com.
Torn Between Worlds by Nancy Blodgett Klein is a wonderful and realistic tale about a young Mexican girl’s journey as she enters the USA as an illegal immigrant, following in the footsteps of so many other Latin Americans trying to find a better life.
Isabel Martinez-Estrada is only nine years old when she travels across Mexico and into America with her father. Establishing herself in school and learning English is difficult for Isabel, but with the help of an understanding teacher, she starts a journal, not only to improve her English but to cope with missing her mother who she left behind in Mexico.
Isabel writes about her daily life and her school, friends, and family. When the terror attacks of September 11 occur she is drawn into the turmoil and a passion for news and politics is born. However, returning to Mexico to visit her mother leads her to experience tragedy on a more personal level, and her life changes forever.
Inspired by the author’s own experience with her students, this story is written in the first person in journal form. This gives a very raw and realistic edge to the traumatic parts of the story. Isabel’s writing style matures as she does from that of a twelve-year-old girl to a mature young woman. This way of writing makes her character both relatable and believable. The innocence of both the writing style and the character emphasizes the stark reality and danger of life in Mexico and the uncertainty of an illegal immigrant in America.
This book touches on some serious subjects that should be taken into account, as it is aimed at a young adult audience. The terror attacks on the World Trade Center are covered in some detail, as well as gun violence, sexual assault, and suicide. All of these topics are discussed clearly and calmly, however, they may act as triggers for those who have experienced these things.
Overall I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. It was well written and edited. I struggled to find any negative aspects to this book and I fully enjoyed the story. As I live in Guatemala, this book really hit close to home with me as I know several teenagers who have made the long journey to the USA illegally and alone, leaving family behind with no knowledge of when or if they will see them again. I also liked the fact that Spanish words were frequently and naturally used in the text.
The contrast between the life of a child in the USA compared to one in Mexico is not often found in books, especially for young adults, which makes this story special. So many teenagers and children make the same dangerous journey as Isabel, therefore, having a book that they can identify with makes it even more valuable.
I would recommend this book to young adults and adults who would like to understand more about what forces people to leave their homeland and brave multiple dangers in order to have a better life and how lucky the rest of us who are born in safer counties with more opportunities really are.
Torn Between Worlds by Nancy Blodgett Klein is a wonderful and realistic tale about a young Mexican girl’s journey as she enters the USA as an illegal immigrant, following in the footsteps of so many other Latin Americans trying to find a better life.
Isabel Martinez-Estrada is only nine years old when she travels across Mexico and into America with her father. Establishing herself in school and learning English is difficult for Isabel, but with the help of an understanding teacher, she starts a journal, not only to improve her English but to cope with missing her mother who she left behind in Mexico.
Isabel writes about her daily life and her school, friends, and family. When the terror attacks of September 11 occur she is drawn into the turmoil and a passion for news and politics is born. However, returning to Mexico to visit her mother leads her to experience tragedy on a more personal level, and her life changes forever.
Inspired by the author’s own experience with her students, this story is written in the first person in journal form. This gives a very raw and realistic edge to the traumatic parts of the story. Isabel’s writing style matures as she does from that of a twelve-year-old girl to a mature young woman. This way of writing makes her character both relatable and believable. The innocence of both the writing style and the character emphasizes the stark reality and danger of life in Mexico and the uncertainty of an illegal immigrant in America.
This book touches on some serious subjects that should be taken into account, as it is aimed at a young adult audience. The terror attacks on the World Trade Center are covered in some detail, as well as gun violence, sexual assault, and suicide. All of these topics are discussed clearly and calmly, however, they may act as triggers for those who have experienced these things.
Overall I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. It was well written and edited. I struggled to find any negative aspects to this book and I fully enjoyed the story. As I live in Guatemala, this book really hit close to home with me as I know several teenagers who have made the long journey to the USA illegally and alone, leaving family behind with no knowledge of when or if they will see them again. I also liked the fact that Spanish words were frequently and naturally used in the text.
The contrast between the life of a child in the USA compared to one in Mexico is not often found in books, especially for young adults, which makes this story special. So many teenagers and children make the same dangerous journey as Isabel, therefore, having a book that they can identify with makes it even more valuable.
I would recommend this book to young adults and adults who would like to understand more about what forces people to leave their homeland and brave multiple dangers in order to have a better life and how lucky the rest of us who are born in safer counties with more opportunities really are.
July 7, 2021
I won a copy of this book through Goodreads giveaways.
So when I entered to win a copy of this book I did so after only reading the title. I thought the title a little odd but didn’t dwell too much on it. I was a little shocked when I won and realized that this is, in fact l, not a memoir. Had I known that I wouldn’t have entered to win especially with it being a YA book and in journal format to boot. I hate all of those things. This book is definitely not something I would normally read but I felt obligated to since I won a free copy.
A lot of my displeasure with this book is my own fault for not reading the description and ending up with a book I was predisposed to dislike no matter how good it was. The fact that I didn’t find it very believable didn’t help. While the author meant well perhaps a better approach would have been to help an immigrant write their own story as a co-author or ghost writer? Books like this are always more impactful when coming from experience and not second hand or made up.
Quality of the book aside, I’m almost tempted to deduct a star for the author’s behavior on here. I, and many other reviewers, find it incredibly off putting when authors engage on reviews. Take the good with the bad and move on.
So when I entered to win a copy of this book I did so after only reading the title. I thought the title a little odd but didn’t dwell too much on it. I was a little shocked when I won and realized that this is, in fact l, not a memoir. Had I known that I wouldn’t have entered to win especially with it being a YA book and in journal format to boot. I hate all of those things. This book is definitely not something I would normally read but I felt obligated to since I won a free copy.
A lot of my displeasure with this book is my own fault for not reading the description and ending up with a book I was predisposed to dislike no matter how good it was. The fact that I didn’t find it very believable didn’t help. While the author meant well perhaps a better approach would have been to help an immigrant write their own story as a co-author or ghost writer? Books like this are always more impactful when coming from experience and not second hand or made up.
Quality of the book aside, I’m almost tempted to deduct a star for the author’s behavior on here. I, and many other reviewers, find it incredibly off putting when authors engage on reviews. Take the good with the bad and move on.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews