Andreu, Maria E. The Secret Side of Empty, 336 p. Language: PG-13 (30 swears, 0 ‘f’); Violence: PG-13 (father beats daughter); Mature Content: PG-13 (pot, beer, pills, thoughts of suicide).
With her light skin and blond hair, M.T. has passed as legal since her parents brought her across the border as a small child. Now she has reached her senior year and believes that there is nowhere else for her to go. College is anon-starter for someone without papers proving they exist. If the American authorities catch her, they will deport the entire family. And as she become more independent, her father becomes more and more resentful and more violent. There might be no more dreams left for M.T. - instead only a desperate way out of existence.
Having been raised as an illegal herself, Andreu draws a stunning portrait of M.T.’s hopelessness as she sees her options fading away, just as her friends are gearing up for much better lives. Andreu addresses suicide, illegal immigration and abuse without being melodramatic about any situation.
HS - ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher
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