Efrén Divided
By:
Efrén Nava’s Amá is his Superwoman—or Soperwoman, named after the delicious Mexican sopes his mother often prepares. Both Amá and Apá work hard all day to provide for the family, making sure Efrén and his younger siblings Max and Mía feel safe and loved.
But Efrén worries about his parents; although he’s American-born, his parents are undocumented. His worst nightmare comes true one day when Amá doesn’t return from work and is deported across the border to Tijuana, Mexico.
Now, more than ever, Efrén must channel his inner Soperboy to help take care of and hopefully reunite his family.
ISBN: 9780062881687
JLG Release: Jul 2020
Sensitive Areas:
Discrimination: Racial Insensitivity/Racism
Topics:
Deportation
, Illegal aliens
, Undocumented immigrants
, Middle schools
, Brothers and sisters
, Twins
, Mexican Americans
, Friendship
, School elections
, Conduct of life
, Hispanic and Latino Americans
Awards & Honors
2021 Belpre Award for Children's Text
Praise & Reviews
Starred or favorable reviews have been received from these periodicals:
Publishers Weekly*, Booklist*, School Library Journal*
School Library Journal
A timely story of one boy’s fight to reunite his family, save a friendship, and stand up for justice. Efrén’s favorite spot to read is the bathtub—when he wants to hide from his twin siblings, that’s where he retreats, though the smell of Amá’s delicious sopes always has a way of drawing him out. To Efrén, Amá is a Soperwoman! Living A timely story of one boy’s fight to reunite his family, save a friendship, and stand up for justice. Efrén’s favorite spot to read is the bathtub—when he wants to hide from his twin siblings, that’s where he retreats, though the smell of Amá’s delicious sopes always has a way of drawing him out. To Efrén, Amá is a Soperwoman! Living undocumented in the United States, Amá and Apá both work hard to provide a better life for their children. Although their apartment is small and money is tight, Efrén knows he has a lot to be thankful for. But one day everything changes. When he arrives home from school, Amá is gone. She has been deported. Stepping in to care for his siblings while Apá works overtime, Efrén tries to channel Amá’s superpowers. But when teachers and friends notice something is wrong, will Efrén find the courage to share the truth? Efrén’s story is not uncommon. In the last few years, the news has become saturated with headlines about deportations and separated families. Cisneros provides a heart-wrenching and evocative glimpse of what one family’s life might look like on both sides of the border. Using down-to-earth characters and authentic scenarios, he tells a story of resilience, strength, and love. In a time full of divisiveness and unknowns, this resonant title will inspire young readers to make a difference, no matter the hardships they face.
Book Details
ISBN
9780062881687
First Release
July 2020
Genre
Fic
Dewey Classification
F
Trim Size
8 1/4" x 5 1/2"
Page Count
272
Accelerated Reader
Level 4.5; Points: 6;
Scholastic Reading Counts
N/ALexile
Level 710L
Format
Print Book
Edition
Hardcover edition
Publisher
HarperCollins
Potentially Sensitive Areas
Discrimination: Racial Insensitivity/Racism
Topics
Deportation, Illegal aliens, Undocumented immigrants, Middle schools, Brothers and sisters, Twins, Mexican Americans, Friendship, School elections, Conduct of life, Hispanic and Latino Americans,
