The Only Road by Alexandra Diaz

The Only Road by Alexandra Diaz is on the 2021 list of Rebecca Caudill Book Award nominees. It tells the amazing and life threatening journey of Jaime and Angela who have to flee their home in Guatemala after Miguel, Jaime's cousin and Angela's brother, is murdered by a gang known as the Alphas. There's really no other choice-either they join the Alpha's as requested or the run for their lives. 

After their family scrapes up as much money as they can, Jaime and Angela depart in the middle of the night in hopes that they can somehow make it across multiple borders and into the United States. Along they way they face numerous obstacles: the environment, different gangs, getting enough food and water, and their own personal doubts as to whether they are doing the right thing and if they will even make it or not.

This story is based on so many stories of individuals who have been forced to flee their home countries in hope of finding a better, safer future. I could not put this book down. I started it this morning and I finished it this evening. Even my son commented that the TV didn't get turned on all day! So, needless to say, this book is a MUST-READ!


-TK



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