01 Sep YA Book Review: “Indivisible” by Daniel Aleman
National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed every year from September 15 to October 15 to honor the history, contributions, and traditions of Hispanic and Latin American communities. If you are interested in learning more about the significance of this month, check out last year’s blog post as well as the official National Hispanic Heritage Month website!
Indivisible by Daniel Aleman follows Mateo “Matt” Garcia as his family and world are turned upside down. When his undocumented immigrant parents are detained by ICE (United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement), Matt and his seven-year-old sister, Sophie, must learn to adapt to life without their Ma and Pa while worrying about the possibility of them being sent back to Mexico–far from the home, business, and community they have built in New York City. Se fuerte y se valiente–be strong and be brave–is the mantra their mother continues repeating to them, but how long can Matt be strong and brave when he has to grow up so quickly to look after his father’s bodega and take care of Sophie, all while balancing his schoolwork and friendships?
Indivisible gives young adult readers a glimpse into the reality many undocumented immigrants and their families face everyday. When Matt is asked to provide a witness testimony at his father’s immigration hearing, he describes the determination, selflessness, and love that has always powered his father’s actions. Aleman’s well-developed, diverse cast of characters and his portrayal of the effects of deportation (with an emphasis on mental health, community, and hope) make Indivisible what it is: a story of strength and bravery.
Here are a few more books written by and about Hispanic people to read throughout National Hispanic Heritage Month:
