Across the Great River

AuthorIrene Beltran HernandezPlace of publicationHOUSTON, TEXASPublisherPiñata booksCopyright date1989Retail Price$9.95Summary of the bookAcross the great river, this story of a young Mexican girl who takes place on leadership role after her family accidentally becomes separate while illegally crossing the border into the United State. The family's encounters with labor smugglers, crime, a folk hero, and the authorities are all told in the innocent and direct voice of Kata Campos, who must learn to cope with the harshness of life at an early age. Main charactersCarlos Pablito Kata Dona Anita Chente Especial ElementThis book is interesting because is kind of what is happening now in the border between Mexico and U.S.Would you like to read this book?The reading of this book is easy; there is immediacy to it...Recommended

This book is an exciting tale of a young girl maturing and taking on the leadership role in her family when her parents become separated while illegally crossing the Mexican border into Texas. The family's experiences with smugglers, a folk healer, Tex. social services and the authorities are told with an innocense and directness by ten-year old Katarina Campos who must find a way to survive in a strange country. Though written in English, its cadence evokes a sense of the Spanish language. Recommended reading for elementary, middele school, Esl, and high school reders. This book gave me insight into dangers and fears encountered by children who must follow their parents decisions not understanding why they must endure the ordeal and hardship. I made my teen age daughter read it immediately. Great for adults as well. Loved the folklore.