Journey of Dreams

Drawn from Pellegrino's work with Central American refugees, this dramatic novel opens in 1984, during the violent conflict between indigenous Guatemalans and the government, which (an author's note explains) resulted in the death of some 150,000 people and the destruction of hundreds of villages. More than 200,000 fled Guatemala, including narrator Tomasa, her father and two younger siblings, whose village burns as they escape. At once lyrical and starkly realistic, the tale chronicles this close-knit family's harrowing, furtive journey across their country, through Mexico and finally into the U.S. In the final stages, they are aided by Sanctuary Movement volunteers who shepherd refugees to safety. In Phoenix, the travelers have an emotional reunion with Tomasa's mother and older brother, Carlos, who both fled earlier, fearing Carlos would be forced to join the army. Fables Papa tells his children and Tomasa's dream sequences occasionally cause the pace to slacken, and Pellegrino's (Too Nice ) imagery can be clunky (“The quiet in our village relaxes like a taut thread which has been cut”). Yet Tomasa's voice should easily draw readers into this eye-opening story. Ages 11–14. (Aug.)