The Only Road

nPURA BELPR HONOR BOOK n ALA NOTABLE BOOK nAn important, must-have addition to the growing body of literature with immigrant themes. --School Library Journal (starred review) n nTwelve-year-old Jaime makes the treacherous and life-changing journey from his home in Guatemala to live with his older brother in the United States in this powerful and timely (Booklist, starred review) middle grade novel. n nJaime is sitting on his bed drawing when he hears a scream. Instantly, he knows: Miguel, his cousin and best friend, is dead. n nEveryone in Jaime's small town in Guatemala knows someone who has been killed by the Alphas, a powerful gang that's known for violence and drug trafficking. Anyone who refuses to work for them is hurt or killed--like Miguel. With Miguel gone, Jaime fears that he is next. There's only one choice: accompanied by his cousin ngela, Jaime must flee his home to live with his older brother in New Mexico. n nInspired by true events, The Only Road is an individual story of a boy who feels that leaving his home and risking everything is his only chance for a better life. The story is told with heartbreaking honesty, Booklist raved, and will bring readers face to face with the harsh realities immigrants go through in the hope of finding a better, safer life, and it will likely cause them to reflect on what it means to be human.n