La Linea (review)

Illegal immigration across the Mexican border is scantily represented in children's literature, though children (especially as schools struggle with an influx of Spanish-speaking students) are often at the center of national debate. Jaramillo's first book addresses the issue head on, relaying the fictional tale of Miguel, who was left behind in Mexico when his parents crossed la línea (the border) years before. When the rich Don Clemente agrees to help, Miguel's chance to follow finally comes. What transpires, however, is a series of disastrous mishaps: the discovery of Miguel's sister Elena hiding on his bus causes a Mexican official to reroute them south; Miguel and Elena are dumped on the border of Guatemala and robbed; and when they telephone for help they find out Don Clemente is dead. They must then try to jump aboard the mata gente ("people killer"), a speeding train that offers a perilous but free ride north for the desperate, and while they continue to push forward, their chance of succeeding becomes increasingly small. Jaramillo, who teaches ESL to Mexican-American students, gets the grisly facts right about the dangers illegal immigrants face leading up to la línea (facts are discussed in an endnote, though no sources are listed), and she provides an intimate portrayal of their motivations and trials. Her attempt to represent all possible problems and dangers, however, means that the rather brief story overstretches the boundaries of plausibility toward melodrama, and she provides little to dispel the notion that hardships end at the border. The novel is nonetheless sure to jumpstart compelling discussion, especially if paired with news stories or books about Mexican immigrants in the U.S. such as Jiménez's The Circuit. Readers interested in the important issue will look past the weaknesses in storytelling and jump aboard for an eye-opening ride.