Javier Zamora's memoir SOLITO is an especially disturbing and affecting account of his illegal migration from his native El Salvador to the US to join his parents. His father fled when Javier was one and his mother when he was five. Javier remained in El Salvador with his grandparents and aunts until his parents had managed to save up money to send for him. Javier's story is a child's migrant story. Narrated by Javier in the voice of his 9 year old self, the terrifying ordeal lasting three weeks when his whereabouts were unknown is illuminated in a patina of trust and innocence that belies the perils encountered. The honest recollections illicit stark details and his intent to remain steadfast. However, this memoir is deeply troubling knowing Javier was an unaccompanied minor; a child unable to tie his own shoes. The desire for a better life by reaching the US is incessant which fosters a system which leaves juveniles at the mercy of adults. And, a system that preys on people taking gross advantage of millions. Miraculously, Javier received caring parental protection from two strangers who refused to abandon him, comforted him and saw his needs were met as they made their dangerous migration under the vicarious lead of "coyotes." Javier's beloved grandfather entrusted him to a man from their village who ended up leaving the group after a week along with the belongings of someone else. Still, Javier hoped and prayed for his safe arrival in laUSA. The ever-changing group traveled by bus, trucks, boats and mostly by foot over scorching desert terrain. Javier describes his fear of running and hiding to avoid capture. Though twice captured and detained, Javier's self-appointed guardians made sure they remained "together as a family". The trip by boat was terrifying and nauseating. Yet, Javier was delighted by the sight of jumping fish and the moon's reflection on the waves. Much of the time was spent shut inside, waiting for instruction and there was little to note but boredom, cramped quarters and little to do. But throughout, Javier's young voice and budding poetic soul radiates with beauty. "I love looking for the big white moon. Seeing it change. The moon has been up there watching me since the dawn I saw good-bye to my family. It reminds me of all of them. They said there wouldn't be a moon, but they're wrong. Like a slice of watermelon bitten to the rind, it showed up over the mountains to our right. I like its gray light before the sun paints the dawn, our clothing changing from black to gray to blue like we're chameleons."
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