La Línea Book Review

La Línea

Prezi by Lily Kolehmainen

Book by Ann Jaramillo

Summary of La Línea

Miguel is living in Mexico with his Grandma and his little sister, Elena. He is going to cross La Línea, the border between Mexico and the US, to rejoin his father and mother in California. He gets a trip planned out for him by a wealthy man good at smuggling people across the border and almost makes it until Elena interrupts and ruins his plan. The two then have all of their things stolen, but meet a fellow immigrant, named Javi, who takes them to la Mata Gente, a train that immigrants jump onto to ride to America. But Javi hurts himself, so they catch a ride, and travel with a coyote instead, The coyote helps them get across the border, but not before he is killed. They continue towards the border, but then Javi is lost. Elena and Miguel continue towards the US, and they meet their parents after so many years. Time passes, and Miguel is going to college for his degree, Elena went back to Mexico, and the two are happy, mostly.

La Línea book review and rating

I thought that La Línea was a very good book. I thought that it demonstrated proper loss and reward throughout the book, so that it seemed very realistic. Even though Miguel crosses the border in the end, and reunites with his family, and he "wins", I still feel like his struggle is real, and am glad that he has achieved what he wanted to. I also thought that the book was a very clever and interesting insight into immigration as a topic, and offers lots of opportunities for discussion and cooperation. Overall, I would rate it a 4.9 out of 5. I would definitely reccomend it to other people, especially busy people, as it is a quick read- albeit a good quick read.

Vivir Mi Vida - Song

Vivir mi Vida

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXnjy5YlDwk

I chose the song "Vivir Mi Vida" by Marc Anthony to represent the theme of freedom, and the ability to get past previous arguments and hold ups. I think this represents how Miguel is able to forgive his father for leaving him at the beginning of the story, "It took my years to accept that Papá did what he did out of love, not pride" (Jaramillo 121), and the family's ability to leave Mexico, even if they miss it.

Vivir Mi Vida - Song

Tren Del Cielo - Song

Tren del Cielo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zgd4yr4VkSo

I chose this song, "Tren del Cielo", by Soledad Pastorutti, because of how it represents Miguel and Elena's journey to America. They are being carried by their need for opportunity, and feelings, they are learning the truth about themselves through their path, "I didn't understand that there are thousands of líneas to cross in a life. Sometimes you see the border and you walk right across, eyes wide open. You know you will change. You know everything will be different. Other times, you don't know you've crossed a border until you turn, and look back at la línea, surprised" (Jaramillo 125). They also happen to travel on top of a literal train for a while; "They callled it the mata gente, the "people killer". It was an ordinary freight train" (Jaramillo 62).

Rayando El Sol - Song

Rayando el Sol

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yH7WrkOSFj4

I chose the song "Rayando El Sol" by Maná to represent Miguel's reaction to his parents leaving him, and how he feels betrayed and abandoned. It could also represent his feeling towards his Abuela dying, and him having to leave her in the beginning of the book; "She'd been my mother. I'd been her son. There was no sense pretending we'd see each other again. She was old. I wouldn't return in many years. I might not return at all" (Jaramillo 33). The song is even in Spanish, too, since how his grandmother tells him this huge paragraph of words, entirely in spanish, and anyone who doesn't read Spanish would be left entirely clueless, "M'ijo, que La Virgen te guarde, te proteja y te cuide con todo su amor en tus caminos, y que La Virgen te abra los ojos hacia todos los que tienen menos que tú" (Jaramillo 33).

El Mismo Sol

El Mismo Sol

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNHwNreDp3A

El Mismo Sol

I chose this song, "El Mismo Sol", by Álvaro Soler, because of how it preaches unity between people, and nations, and how, in such a new and incredible world, all we're missing is love. I think that represents themes that I think the book is trying to inspire into readers; to make us more understanding of others, in order to make more love in the world. In the "About This Book": "Many, many of my students have been and continue to be new-arrival immigrants, twelve, thirteen, fourteen years old. They set foot in my classroom not knowing a word of English, some having survived a journey that is daunting even for the hardiest of individuals. From them I have learned the meaning of optimism, courage, and determination. This is their story. I wrote it for them." (Jaramillo 129).

Espacio Sideral - Song

Espacio Sideral

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuY7HYSDoTM

I chose this song, "Espacio Sideral", by Jesse & Joy, because I think it accurately represents the love and passion Miguel and Elena have for each other, and how willing they are to sacrifice so much for each other, "You let me come with you. You didn't send me back to San Jacinto like I deserved. No me abandonaste, ... Gracias, Miguel. Gracias" (Jaramillo 115), even though they are quite weak and inconsiquential in the scheme of things.