In the late 1990s, I taught a class of Latinx students, most of whom were born in the US to Salvadoran parents who had left war torn El Salvador, either as young adults or teens. My students knew nothing about Salvadoran history; their parents simply did not discuss it. They knew terms like "guerrilla" but had no idea what it meant - to them, all people who fought were "guerrilla".

I decided to teach them Salvadoran history through novels by Salvadoran writers. The experience was eye opening for them, but also traumatic, as they started putting pieces together in terms of their families' behaviors and stories that they had heard. This book brought me back to that time. Lovato tells a poignant narrative of what Salvadorans went through not only in El Salvador, but as Salvadorans in the US. He tells the reader what it is like to live on the border - with a foot in each country, yet without really understanding what this means, just like my students. He underscores the nature of keeping secrets, and how once revealed, can be painful yet freeing. The explanations (and misconceptions) around gangs, namely the "Mara" are compelling and further illustrate how pain can be translated into action, albeit not always for good.

The writing in this book sometimes is too much telling and not enough showing. Nonetheless, it is a powerful read which I highly recommend,.

Fascinating and terrifying book about El Salvador and the gang wars and crushing poverty, and dad be a of the people.