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Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Review: Illegal


Author: Bettina Restrepo
Publication Date: March 1, 2011
Genre: YA Realistic Fiction
Copy provided by: Author (ARC tour)
Summary (via Goodreads):

Nora is on a desperate journey far away from home. When her father leaves their beloved Mexico in search of work, Nora fights to make sense of her loss while waiting for her father’s return and a better day. When the letters and money from her father stop coming, Nora decides that she and her mother must look for him in Texas. After a harrowing experience crossing the border, the two are all alone in a strange place called Houston. Now, Nora figures out how to survive while still aching for small comforts: friends, a new school, and a quinceañera to mark her fifteenth birthday.

Bettina Restrepo’s powerful and deeply hopeful debut novel captures the challenges of one girl’s unique yet universal immigrant experience.


Why I read this: The author asked me too (which I love when authors do) and it is a debut novel, so I was happy to!

Plot: Nora's father stops sending money back to Mexico for her family, so her mother and her leave their grandmother behind to search for him. Nora learns that America is much different form her small town in Mexico. They luck out and find a couple who let them work for them. Only there is no sign of Nora's father. What has happened to him?

A heart-wrenching plot that made me cry and also a quick read. Definitely a great debut about those who cross the wire.

Characters: I fell in love with Nora. She was strong for a teenage girl and determined to reunite her family once and for all. It's nice to meet such a fantastic character.

Relatability: I think those of us that pay any attention to the new in America can relate to this novel.

Cover Commentary: Love it, especially the colors.

Rating: 5/5 Roses


Buy it on Amazon*
Find it on Goodreads


Read the first 50 pages of Illegal.

Also, to commenters, Bettina will enter you into a drawing for a free hardbound and signed copy of ILLEGAL. (international entries are OK!) There will be 5 winners total!

Just answer the following question: Would you cross a border illegal to find your family?

Winners will be announced on her Facebook page on April 2nd.

*If you buy this book on Amazon through the link above, I will receive a small portion of the sales.

post signature

Posted by Kristen at 12:01 AM
Labels:

50 comments:

  1. BettinaFebruary 22, 2011 at 7:46 AM

    Thank you Kirsten! Also, to commenters, I will enter you into a drawing for a free hardbound and signed copy of ILLEGAL. (international entries are OK!)

    Just answer the following question: Would you cross a border illegal to find your family?

    ReplyDelete
  2. BettinaFebruary 22, 2011 at 7:46 AM

    http://browseinside.harperteen.com/index.aspx?isbn13=9780061953422

    50 page excerpt to see if this is your kind of book. Happy reading!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Mrs. DeRapsFebruary 22, 2011 at 12:23 PM

    I cannot wait to read this book. Love the cover and the subject matter. Sounds like a great debut!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Jenny N.February 22, 2011 at 5:11 PM

    Sounds good...and its heart wretching? Now I'm imagining all the bad things that could have happened to Nora's dad.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sandee61February 23, 2011 at 10:30 AM

    I'm not sure what I'd do...probably try to find a legal way if there was one. It doesn't sound like she has a choice, so I really am not sure what I'd do. It's a scary thought and decision for such a young person, but I can understand why she would take that chance.

    Thank you for the entry in the giveaway for Illegal...now I'm really curious about it. It sounds like a really good read.

    Have a blessed day!
    Sandee61

    Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousFebruary 24, 2011 at 8:04 AM

    I would love the chance to win this book for my 14 year daughter and myself.
    My answer to the question would probably be No.
    I love my family but I am also a big chicken and scared to get in trouble with the law.

    ReplyDelete
  7. VivienFebruary 24, 2011 at 4:24 PM

    I would most definitely cross the borders. I would do just about anything for my loved ones.

    I would love to win a copy of this novel, it sounds really fantastic. I'm from Germany originally, so this means a lot to me.

    ReplyDelete
  8. SamanthaFebruary 24, 2011 at 7:20 PM

    Well of course I would cross the borders! Family means a lot to me and to let something as trivial as a BORDER stop our reunion is just... unthinkable. Besides, if I don't do EVERYTHING that I can to find my family, then I'd feel guilty and ashamed of myself for the rest of my life... :( Thanks for the awesome contest!!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Mary EllenFebruary 25, 2011 at 12:10 PM

    Yes I would, family means everything to me

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousFebruary 25, 2011 at 10:12 PM

    I would love to read this book.

    Would I cross a border to find my family. Yes I would. I love my family and I would do anything to save them.

    ReplyDelete
  11. The Flashlight ReaderFebruary 28, 2011 at 5:40 AM

    Would I cross a border illegally to save my family? If I felt like my family was in danger, there isn't much I wouldn't do to save them. Crossing a border seems minor in that respect.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Mariela SilvaMarch 1, 2011 at 1:44 PM

    I dont know... yes and no. I guess depend the situation.

    ReplyDelete
  13. JamieMarch 6, 2011 at 1:38 AM

    I think that I would cross the border to find my family. If you don't have your family what have you got? Nothing really.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Book FlameMarch 7, 2011 at 2:38 PM

    For my hubby and kids of course I would cross the border. The books sounds amazing I can't wait to read it.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Linda: Book NinjaMarch 9, 2011 at 9:26 PM

    I love my family and they mean a lot to me...but I'm not usually a rule breaker. I'd be really paranoid and scared of being caught though.
    The book sound awesome and I can't wait to read it!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Clarissa (Bookadicea)March 10, 2011 at 4:45 AM

    My answer would be YES, I'll do anything even if it has to be my life to put in danger just to save my family's life because I owe a lot of things to them and above all I love them so much. I will do anything to make them safe even if it means conquering my own fear.

    Thanks! great giveaway!

    clarissa.bulatao at yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. JessSMarch 11, 2011 at 12:57 AM

    Definitely, especially for my little sister. I'd do anything for her :)

    jessicamariesutton@msn.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. UnknownMarch 11, 2011 at 6:15 PM

    Definitely, you bet your life that I would seriously cross the border.

    ReplyDelete
  19. UnknownMarch 12, 2011 at 7:12 PM

    Yes, I would definitely. I'd do almost everything for my family and to be with them. I would just try not to get caught.

    sauvadeavelle@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. ChelMarch 16, 2011 at 12:37 AM

    Of course I would! I only have my mom and my little sister. I don't know what I'm going to do without them.

    toprocrastinate @ hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. NicoleMarch 16, 2011 at 9:55 PM

    Of Course, I can't live without them!!!!

    korra_950(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  22. The L-I HeadmasterMarch 17, 2011 at 3:34 AM

    Yes, I would. Family means a lot to me. I can't sit still and do nothing if I could do something.

    Gian Faye
    mynameisgianfaye *at* gmail *dot* com

    ReplyDelete
  23. CAsanmiguelMarch 17, 2011 at 6:29 AM

    i will, friends may leave me, but my family will always be there :)

    camilleanne_angel@yahoo.com.ph

    ReplyDelete
  24. Meghan @ Books and a Cup of TeaMarch 17, 2011 at 4:07 PM

    Would you cross a border illegal to find your family?

    Of course, without a doubt. I'd circle the Earth as many times as I needed to, if I had to. Anything for them.

    ReplyDelete
  25. MistyMarch 17, 2011 at 5:55 PM

    It's hard say because you never really know what you'd do in a situation (especially if you don't speak the language or have money, etc), but I think I would. It's a scary thought, though. I know people who have crossed borders illegally, and it's terrifying.

    ReplyDelete
  26. The book girlMarch 17, 2011 at 6:33 PM

    Definitely! I could never leave my family!

    emmanemgirl@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. Thais PampadoMarch 17, 2011 at 7:09 PM

    Yes, I would, because the love I have for my family knows no borders.

    thais_rpc(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  28. MonaMarch 17, 2011 at 8:41 PM

    I've been wanting to read this book. The premise sounds great and I like the cover.

    Yes, I would definitely cross the border illegally to find my family. Breaking the law is a small price to pay.

    monagarg@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. nicolesenderMarch 17, 2011 at 11:29 PM

    Yes, I'd cross the border illegally to find my family.
    nicolesender(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  30. JaidisMarch 18, 2011 at 1:29 AM

    I would spend a small amount of time trying to find a legal way, unless danger was involved, and then I would most certainly do whatever was needed to save my family.

    JaidisShaw at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  31. SarwatMarch 18, 2011 at 11:33 AM

    i think when it is about your family then no rules or regulations matter. i would definitely try to overcome all hurdles even if it is crossing an illegal border to find my family.

    ReplyDelete
  32. ChristieMarch 18, 2011 at 2:48 PM

    This book sounds really good. I'd love to read it.
    There is nothing that I wouldn't do for my family so the short answer is YES! I would cross the border illegally to find my family.

    swaggirl01 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  33. TammyMarch 18, 2011 at 9:49 PM

    Come hell or high water I would cross a border to find my family-no doubt. Thanks for the awesome giveaway.
    tmdahle@centurytel.net

    ReplyDelete
  34. ikkinlalaMarch 18, 2011 at 10:26 PM

    Yes, I would.

    ikkinlala AT yahoo DOT ca

    ReplyDelete
  35. Jeanette JMarch 18, 2011 at 11:13 PM

    That's tough question to answer. I'm so law-abiding that the border guards would take one look at me and just know I'm up to something. However, I would definitely do it for my family

    ReplyDelete
  36. CJMarch 19, 2011 at 6:12 AM

    Yes, I would, because my family is very important to me!

    shortcut_2_mushrooms(at)yahoo(dot)co(dot)nz

    ReplyDelete
  37. Alexis AmelotteMarch 19, 2011 at 6:52 PM

    In a life or death situation where I have no choice? Yes.
    I'd prefer to be legal though as this is actually something that really bugs me. :)

    shakespeareanlover1215@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  38. Julie March 19, 2011 at 7:00 PM

    If someone were to take one of my children or family members across a border without permission ... definitely. Otherwise, just to find someone who may or may not be in trouble, probably not ... I'm kinda skeered of jail! :)

    knittingandsundries(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  39. SweetShenanigansMarch 19, 2011 at 9:37 PM

    Yes, of course! To me, family always comes first. Thats a given.
    girl23rocks at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  40. KarenMarch 19, 2011 at 11:15 PM

    Sounds great, and I'd do whatever it took to find my family. I'd hope that crossing legally would be an option, but if not, I'd do what I had to do to find them!

    kpuleski at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  41. IdentitySeekerMarch 20, 2011 at 11:05 AM

    Thanks for the great giveaway:)

    Yes, if I had no other choice, I would definitely cross the border illegealy for my family.

    sarah.setar@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. winnieMarch 21, 2011 at 7:15 PM

    Yes, I would definitely cross the border illegally for my family. Anything for them.

    Thanks for the giveaway! :)

    chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  43. UnknownMarch 24, 2011 at 6:34 AM

    Yes, I would do anything for my family even if I have to cross the border illegally.

    dl(dot)love(dot)freedom(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  44. AnonymousMarch 24, 2011 at 10:01 PM

    I can't imagine myself doing anything illegal, but I think... If I had no other choice, then yes.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Melanie MontgomeryMarch 25, 2011 at 1:42 PM

    For my family? I would do anything.
    Love has no limits, boundaries..much a less a border.

    clarkmurdock@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  46. Lilly Bear ♡March 28, 2011 at 1:21 AM

    Yes, I'd like to think that I would. I'd be scared out of my mind the entire time, but there are worse things. Like losing your family.

    Lovely, lovely giveaway, by the way! I've been wanting to read this one, and your review just reaffirmed it for me.

    lillyisabear (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  47. EvieMarch 31, 2011 at 11:27 AM

    I absolutely would cross.

    Evie.Werner@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  48. PixieMarch 31, 2011 at 12:04 PM

    I guess it would depend on family - family I don't know, probably not. My kids- in a heartbeat.

    ReplyDelete
  49. PixieMarch 31, 2011 at 12:05 PM

    oops I forgot to leave my email address. Sorry

    weblogbooks(@)gmail(.)com

    ReplyDelete
  50. xdeexMarch 31, 2011 at 8:20 PM

    I think I'd try to get there legally, but if I couldn't do it that way, then yes I would cross illegally. I'm sure it would be really tough though.


    dsym_06 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete

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