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Efren Divided

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Efren Divided
By: Ernesto Cisneros
HarperCollins Publishers, 2020. Fiction.

Seventh-grader Efren Nava doesn't have much in the way of a fancy house or lots of money but he does have a loving family. His mom is a superwoman or soperwoman! She is a working mom who makes the best Mexican sopes and keeps Efren and his younger brother and sister fed and pressed. His dad is a hard worker who works two jobs to provide for his family. Efren and his siblings feel safe and loved until one day when Efren's worst nightmare comes true. His mom is picked up by I.C.E. and sent across the border to Tijuana Mexico

This book will give you a glimpse into the life of a family who is struggling to make a living while worrying about deportation. It's a compelling story about hope, heart ache, resilience, and courage. You will find yourself pulled into Efren's world and as you look at the world through his eyes you will gain an understanding of the difficulties undocumented families face. This book would be a good choice for older readers who loved Front Desk or Amal Unbound.

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