Illegal

Written by Bettina Restrepo

A girl crosses borders seeking her missing father, facing unknown challenges and longing for home.

3.8 Goodreads · 786 ratings

272 pages· 41,708 words· Est. 4 hour read· HL540L

$17.99Save 6%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Nora's father leaves Mexico for work, but when his letters and money stop, she and her mother embark on a perilous journey to Texas. Alone in a foreign land, Nora must navigate survival, yearning for the familiar comforts of friends, school, and her quinceañera. Will she find her father and a new sense of belonging, or will the harsh realities of their new world prove too daunting? This gripping tale explores the resilience and hope of a young immigrant facing the unknown.

From the publisher

In this timely and gripping novel, author Bettina Restrepo exposes the challenges of one girl’s unique yet universal immigrant experience. This is an eye-opening look into the harrowing journey a family takes to forge a more hopeful future.Nora is on a desperate journey far away from home. When her father leaves their beloved Mexico in search of work, Nora stays behind. She fights to make sense of her loss while living in poverty–in wait of her father’s return and a better day.When the letters and money stop coming, Nora decides that she and her mother must look for him in Texas. After a frightening experience crossing the border, the two are all alone in a strange place. Nora must find the strength to survive while aching for small comforts: friends, a new school, and her quinceañera. Booklist Top Ten First Novels for Youth YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers Amelia Bloomer List TAYSHAS Reading List Pick *

At a glance