A story of a Guatemalan family in the 1980s split by events beyond their control...
In Journey of Dreams, Marge Pellegrino writes a heart-wrenching story about a Native Guatemalan family that is split apart by the terrible events that happen in their small village and their entire country during the 1980's. Although this is not a "true" story, Marge Pellegrino has drawn from the stories of the children she worked with as a volunteer work for the Owl & Panther Project, an organization that helps refugees from warn torn countries. The book is written from the point of view of Tomasa, a 13 year old girl, whose family is torn apart by the Guatemalan military threatening her mother's life, and threatening to take her oldest brother into the army like many of the other boys in her village. Poor Tomasa and the rest of her family have to flee their village and then their country to stay alive.
This is one of those books that will tear at your heart and bring you to tears as you live through all the horrible things that Tomasa, her family, and fellow countrymen go through. I cried many times during my reading of this book. It's not an easy read, partially because of the content being so dramatic, but also because it is written as if you're reading the thoughts and dreams of a young girl who lacks the ability to write properly. Overall, this is a good book and I would recommend it to any adult and any of the more mature young adults.
Review by: Christine P
