A book review by Bakersville Little Free Library Steward Roby Summerfield
My Family Divided
“My Family Divided” by Diane Guerrero tells the true story of Diane Guerrero, a Latina girl living with undocumented parents, who originally fled from Columbia in search of a better life.
Undocumented immigrants face challenges others may never experience. Whether it be a job that is needed to support the family or social interaction. Guerrero gives the perspective of her life and how she became an advocate for immigrants and undocumented people all over. She provides advice and strategies for how to better prepare families for possible deportation.
When Guerrero unexpectedly finds herself alone, just after her parents have been swept away by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, her life is turned upside down. She must find a way to survive and rise above her situation. She has always had a passion for the arts, something that she believes is immensely important. She works hard and stops at nothing to become an actor.
This story introduced me to a new concept: deportation. Imagine your parents being taken away from you at a very young age, leaving you to fend for yourself, alone in this big world. This is what thousands of undocumented immigrant families and children experience every year in the United States of America. When I think about the name of our country, the word “United“ stands out to me. I think of everyone working together to build a better world, being valued as equal citizens and living in unison on this planet we call home. We can share this land with our neighbors and generate positivity.
As Guerrero stated in her book, in 2013 more than 70,000 undocumented parents of U.S.-born children were deported. She believes we can do something about this and change the way we view others. Guerrero lists several important websites and resources at the end of her book, to help undocumented immigrants.
Guerrero is a shining spotlight and role model for so many young people alike. She is an inspiration to me because I know just as she did, young people can overcome anything that comes our way if we put our hearts into it and our mind to the task.
This book can be checked out at the Bakersville Little Free Library.