My Side of the River
A Memoir
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ISBN10: 1250277957
ISBN13: 9781250277954
Hardcover
272 Pages
$29.00
CA$39.00
Born to Mexican immigrants south of the Rillito River in Tucson, Arizona, Elizabeth had the world at her fingertips. She was preparing to enter her freshman year of high school as the number one student when suddenly, her own country took away the most important right a child has: the right to have a family.
When her parents’ visas expired and they were forced to return to Mexico, Elizabeth was left responsible for her younger brother, as well as her education. Determined to break the cycle of being a “statistic,” she knew that even though her parents couldn’t stay, there was no way she could let go of the opportunities the U.S. could provide. Armed with only her passport and sheer teenage determination, Elizabeth became what her school would eventually describe as an unaccompanied homeless youth, one of thousands of underage victims affected by family separation due to broken immigration laws.
For fans of Educated by Tara Westover and The Distance Between Us by Reyna Grande, My Side of the River explores separation, generational trauma, and the toll of the American dream. It’s also, at its core, a love story between a brother and a sister who, no matter the cost, is determined to make the pursuit of her brother’s dreams easier than it was for her.
Reviews
Praise for My Side of the River
“[A] testament to the abiding allure—and often daunting reality—of the American dream.”—New York Times Book Review
“[A] moving, timely memoir.”—New York Times Book Review, Editor’s Choice
"Affecting." —People Magazine
"Elizabeth Camarillo’s My Side of the River is the book that everyone should read to understand the depth of the strength and achievements of Latinos in the United States. Poignant and tender, hers is an inspiring journey that will most certainly illuminate the path for many others." —Rafael Agustin, author of Illegally Yours
“My Side of the River is both fierce and poetic. It brilliantly reframes border writing while embracing nature and familial history. There are moments one sees greatness appear. This is one of those moments.” —Luis Alberto Urrea, New York Times bestselling author of Good Night, Irene
"A brave, honest, heartbreaking, and educational memoir. Elizabeth Gutierrez Camarillo unveils the many realities of being a first generation American whose family continually crosses, and is separated by, borders. My Side of the River is a timely book that uses the power of personal story to invoke societal change. I know many young people and families will find themselves in Elizabeth’s story, and many others will be inspired to action."—Justin Baldoni, star of Jane the Virgin and author of Man Enough
“Open and candid . . . A moving story of the humanity at the center of the often-breathless and uninformed immigration debate." —Kirkus Reviews
“[A] powerful, often heartbreaking story . . . Sharp, incisive, and often wryly funny, Gutierrez's memoir is a necessary addition to the complex conversation around immigration in the U.S.”—Shelf Awareness
“Captivating . . . . This is an inspirational example of dedication, devotion, and triumph over multiple oppressive juggernauts.”—Booklist
“Written in an immersive and easy-to-read style, [My Side of the River] shows readers what it was like for Camarillo Gutierrez throughout those difficult times before she achieved an impressive level of success.”—Library Journal
“Camarillo Gutierrez sustains a sense of urgency to her writing . . . and creates an involving, inspirational portrait of personal resilience and firm family bonds. It’s galvanizing stuff.” —Publishers Weekly
Reviews from Goodreads
BOOK EXCERPTS
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In the weeks before we moved to the United States, I watched my parents pack boxes of things in our Costa Rican home—where we briefly lived for a job my dad temporarily had—that we’d eventually leave behind: my...