Enrique's Journey by Sonia Nazario

       This book written by Sonia Nazario follows the life of Enrique, a young boy living in Honduras without his mother. When Enrique was only five years old, his mother left for the United States in search of a job that would pay her enough money to feed her children. She left her son behind in Honduras so that he could continue to receive an education but promised that one day she would return. However, his mother faces many difficulties in the United States as the years keep ticking by. Enrique calls her and begs her to come back because without her, he feels lost and lonely. Finally, after 11 years of not seeing his mother, he decides to go find her. With nothing but his mother's telephone number, Enrique sets off for the United States and illegally travels through Mexico by clinging to the sides of trains or riding on top of them. While making the journey through Mexico, Enrique and other migrant children encounter many obstacles. Gangsters are patrolling the tops of the trains, thieves steal and even kill some of them, and cops are patrolling the border, ready to deport any illegals. In order to escape from these cops, they must jump on and off El Tren de la Muerte (The Train of Death). Despite all these harships, Enrique eventually finds his mother. However, they realize they are strangers and get into arguments, but soon they learn to get along and both get jobs in the United States.

       I chose to read Enrique's Journey in order to learn more about what immigrants have to go through. Enrique is not alone; millions of children migrate illegally in search of their parents. All my life, I have grown up with a negative attitude towards these illegal immigrants; however, this book challenged that attitude and caused me to have more respect and understanding towards those who simply want a better life for their families.