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From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)

Areli and her brother, Alex, live in Mexico with Abuela. Every Sunday they speak on the phone to their mama and papa, who live in the United States. Soon Alex moves to New York City to live with their parents, too; eventually, it’s Areli’s turn to join them. Leaving Abuela, her cousins, and friends isn’t easy for Areli; adjusting to life in the United States isn’t, either. One day a classmate calls her “illegal.” “I’m not against the law!” Areli insists when her mom explains what the word means. Her mom assures her that she isn’t, but also explains that Areli isn’t a U.S. citizen. Areli is afraid she’ll be taken back to Mexico and understands that she can’t tell anyone. As time passes she learns English, makes friends, and grows accustomed to the city. A fifth-grade class trip to Ellis Island helps Areli see that her own story of coming to America is part of something bigger, and she feels certain her future is bright. In a note that precedes the story, author Areli Morales explains that she was a DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipient in 2013, “finally able to come out of the shadows.” This straightforward, emotionally honest story about one undocumented immigrant child’s experience is set against digital illustrations in muted tones on matte pages. (Ages 5-9)

CCBC Choices 2022 © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 2022. Used with permission.

From School Library Journal

August 1, 2021

Gr 1-3-DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipient Morales's book is based on her journey from Pueblo, Mexico, to New York as an undocumented immigrant at the age of six. The story starts with Areli at her grandmother's house in Mexico, where she enjoys the company of her cousins and the delicious food. Every Sunday, she and her brother, Alex, expect a call from their parents who are already in the United States. Alex, who was born in the United States, will be joining his parents soon. Areli, however, will rely on a family friend she does not know to take her into the country. In New York, everything is bigger and faster and unfortunately, things are not better at school, where she does not know English and is humiliated by boys calling her "illegal" and "backward." The first-person primary-grade-friendly narrative style moves effortlessly including Spanish language terms interspersed with English, the main language of the book. The one-to-five line paragraphs are set in small black font accompanying the pastel illustrations. This book could be used in a social science class highlighting Areli's capacity to adapt and thrive as she navigates her new environment. It contains an author's note addressing the fragility of the DACA program and back matter with a glossary defining the Spanish language terms in the story. VERDICT A moving biographical picture book that would be a sensitive addition to the shelves of libraries, accompanying A Journey Toward Hope by Victor Hinojosa and Coert Voorhees.-Kathia Ibacache, Univ. of Colorado Boulder

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

From Booklist

Starred review from June 1, 2021
Preschool-Grade 2 *Starred Review* Areli loves the mountains and sun of her Mexico home, her abuela and her cousins, and school friends. The only part of her life that is missing is her parents, who are in New York and will soon send for her and her brother. When Areli's turn arrives to make the journey to America, she is forced to leave all that she loves behind to travel to a new, faraway home, where she faces a difficult language barrier and the uncertainty of not being here legally. This beautifully illustrated picture book presents hardships that many undocumented children face when making the journey to America, in a way that will allow children to understand what others are going through or to find solace in the fact that they are not alone. Young readers will witness the complex and difficult emotions kids have to deal with when faced with such circumstances--including separation from their family--at such a young age, but they will also find comfort in a future bright with possibility. Uribe's warm artwork conveys the many important aspects of Areli's life, providing readers with an illuminating look into the life of a child making such an important life journey. Highly recommended for all collections.

COPYRIGHT(2021) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

From Kirkus

Starred review from May 15, 2021
In her debut children's book, a Dreamer recalls her journey from Mexico to New York and the subsequent reality of living as an undocumented immigrant. Areli's tale begins at Abuela's house, where days brim "with family and sunshine," delicious "mounds of tortillas and pollo con frijoles for supper," and calls from Mam� and Pap� from America. It's an idyllic life, but it's undercut when Areli's big brother, Alex, born in America, returns to Nueva York, leaving Areli behind. Though Mam� and Pap� work hard for "a better life," the days pass--Areli's birthday, D�a de los Muertos, Navidad--with Areli separated from her family. Then one day Areli must leave Mexico and head to New York with a family friend. It's a time of difficult goodbyes for Areli, and in the span of a few wordless pages, Areli's in the midst of the "bigger and faster and noisier" bustle of New York, reunited with her family. In scene after scene of Areli's life, Uribe's colorful yet muted artwork depicts the young Dreamer's voyage from Abuela's house to America with a lovely sense of restrained appreciation. Morales, a DACA recipient, spins an admirable third-person memoir that deeply resonates thanks to keen details that conjure moods with a few choice words. Although Areli's tale packs years of experiences in a tight 40-page picture book, the author maintains command of her readers' attention by translating a life-disrupting migration into a confident, heartfelt story. Key highlights include Areli's adjustment to life in America and an eye-opening trip to Ellis Island in the latter half of the book. Powerful in its cleareyed optimism. (author's note, glossary) (Picture book/memoir. 4-8)

COPYRIGHT(2021) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

From Horn Book

January 1, 2021
After an introductory author's note, Morales, a DACA recipient, tells her story in this third-person narrative that begins in Mexico where Areli lives with her older brother and their abuela. They miss their parents, who live in New York and who promise that they'll all be together some day. Uribe's warm illustrations convey a strong sense of place and clearly communicate six-year-old Areli's state of mind: carefree in Mexico, grieving as she leaves home, and struggling in a new country. Time, hard work, and a school field trip to Ellis Island help Areli feel that she belongs. A glossary translates the Spanish words and phrases incorporated in the text. Concurrently published in Spanish.

(Copyright 2021 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

From AudioFile Magazine

Author and narrator Areli Morales recounts her journey to the U.S. as an illegal immigrant. As the story begins, 5-year-old Areli is happily living with her grandmother in Mexico. Her parents are working in the U.S, and she misses them enormously. Then, leaving all she has known, Areli joins her parents in New York City. While she is overjoyed to be in the U.S., making friends and learning a new language are extremely challenging. Not everyone is kind to her. Despite all the obstacles in her way, Areli prevails. Morales's voice is full of emotion yet has a mature, serene quality. Young listeners will empathize with this brave DACA Dreamer and find her growth inspirational. A glossary at the end defines Spanish words and Mexican traditions. A.M. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine