It's hard to review memoirs because I thought her story was very meaningful but she didn't do the best job drawing out meaning in her writing. It felt more like a retelling of what happened than pushing it the step further required in memoir-writing.

MY SIDE OF THE RIVER by Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez offers a unique, although sad at times, perspective on being the child of immigrants. Gutierrez is a talented writer quite capable of evoking emotion. For example, it was difficult to read about the nights her parents worked as janitors at a movie theater and brought her (then a young toddler) and her infant brother to that work so the children could sleep and be safe. She chronicles her adventures through grade school and high school – including the absence of her parents for much of that time due to visa restrictions. While sharing her efforts to help a younger brother, this entire story poignantly highlights taking privilege for granted. MY SIDE OF THE RIVER deserves wide readership and discussion, perhaps even as a one library-one book or one school-one book program. I also hope that efforts will be made to advocate that this title (a painful "mirror" for first generation Americans and an informative "window" for others) be included in high school state reading award programs. The publisher has made a series of discussion questions available. Highly recommended.

This is a memoir by a young girl who was born in the US to undocumented parents from Mexico.

I really looked forward to her story. We spent 15 winters in the Rio Grande Valley in south Texas. We got to meet some of these people. We could see that most of them are very hard workers, we understood their plight. Many of their children were born in the US, making the children citizens. They wanted education for their children, they wanted a better life for their children. They wanted to escape the poverty of Mexico, the threat of danger from gang wars over drugs. Family was of the utmost importance to them. We learned not to ask many questions, but just to listen.

Elizabeth is a very strong and smart girl. We watch her grow into a young lady and through much work and hardship, she gets a scholarship to university. Her dream and her parents' dream.

Elizabeth’s story is compelling. Her story reflects much of what I learned while in Texas but on a more personal level. But, the writing style falls flat. I feel that emotion and passion are missing from the retelling. She writes about the facts. But, it feels distant.

In the early part of the story, Elizabeth is in the fourth grade, which would make her about 9 years old. Her family co-habits a trailer with an aunt and uncle. Her uncle is a violent alcoholic. As a child, she psychoanalyzes him as to why he acts that way. Her analysis of him is probably right but I think she came up with it as an adult, not a 9 year old girl. There are a couple of other examples of this in the book.

A memoir is always from the author's perspective. The author writes the truth as he remembers it. It is not up to the reader to question the writer's memory or perspective.

I'm glad I read the book. Elizabeth is only in her 20s. Perhaps if she had waited a few years to write the story of her life, struggles and success, it could have been written with a bit more feeling.

I'm glad that others have given more glowing reviews. Awareness of the plight of undocumented people needs to be known.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.

(𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 @𝘮𝘢𝘤𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘯.𝘢𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘥 @𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴 #𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘥) 𝗠𝗬 𝗦𝗜𝗗𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗥 is a riveting memoir by American born, American citizen Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez. For many years, Elizabeth lived with her parents and much younger brother in Arizona, but when she was only 15, her parents’ visas were not renewed and they were forced back to Mexico. Elizabeth and her brother stayed in the U.S. to continue with school, though soon her brother joined their parents.⁣
⁣
This is Elizabeth’s story of the commitment she and her parents shared for education and her struggle living away from them in order to get that education. It’s the story of how she faced college and eventually became her brother’s guardian, so he too could get the education he was entitled to.⁣
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This very personal account was powerful in that the author didn’t hold back. She made clear how difficult and unfair it felt for her to be denied her parents in order to get the education that was her right. Many times, she questioned if all she had to do was worth it, yet she persevered. This really came across on audio, as Gutierrez narrates and her emotions stand front and center. There are so many young Americans in Gutierrez’s position, and I can’t help but wonder how many have the determination and support to make it as far as she has. This is a memoir that leaves you with much to think about! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A touching memoir about an immigrant family trying to create a life of opportunity and the daughter who carried the weight of their dreams.

The author shares a thoughtful reflection on her experience of growing up in America with an understanding that seems well beyond her years. An honest and engaging read that I think will appeal to many readers - highly recommend.

Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez is driven, but she's also pushed--as the American-born daughter of Mexican immigrants, she had always worked hard to succeed, always known she had to be the best. Her family had always gotten by through hard work and cautious steps. But when her parents' visas were unexpectedly not renewed, she finds herself as a young high school student suddenly caring for her eight-year-old brother and then suddenly coping by herself in the United States. The stakes for her education were always high, but now she not only has to survive on her own but also succeed for the sake of her family's future. This honest memoir is affecting reading for Americans of all ages, and I think would be especially interesting to high school and college students.

Thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for my free earc. My opinions are all my own.

3.5 stars Thank you to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read and give my unbiased review of this book. Published Feb 13, 2024

I find it so hard to rate memoirs and autobiographies. I have read many that I really liked, some I didn't care for and others I wondered how they made it through the publishing process, but I find all of them very hard to rate. Reading how one describes their own existence is so subjective.

However, with all that said, I found this story quite interesting and moving. Gutierrez was able to do, at a very young age, what many people are never equipped to tackle. Basically going out on her own, away from family, in a different country, while still in high school was commendable. Most youth going into college could not take on the responsibility that Gutierrez did. Her determination and drive for her education was paramount and she took the reigns and never looked back.

Then to top that off with helping to raise her younger brother, as she struggled at a job she didn't like, meeting the medical bills of her parents, and silently praying for family accompaniment. Her life was not easy, but she was such an asset to her family. She should be so proud of herself.

I enjoyed this memoir. As someone with an immigrant parent in my own life, I felt close to this story. She put into words many of the conflicting emotions immigrant families feel. There were a lot of beautiful metaphors and imagery used throughout the book. The memoir was also a solid blend of sweet memories and serious ones. It was also interesting to hear about her experiences navigating academia as a first generation college student, as that is something I can deeply relate to. Especially a desire to achieve and be resilient. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC opportunity, this memoir resonated with me and I appreciate it!

I am sorry for the inconvenience but I don’t have the time to read this anymore and have lost interest in the concept. I believe that it would benefit your book more if I did not skim your book and write a rushed review. Again, I am sorry for the inconvenience.

This memoir brought back so many memories for me! Growing up in Tucson, as a daughter of immigrants, I literally felt so much of what this author went through. I remember never fitting in, always feeling the need to prove myself as an "American," never having the nice clothes my "friends" at school had. I vividly remember shopping at a store called Pic 'n' Save for necessities and "slightly imperfect" clothes. I also remember never wanting anyone to know that my Dad took on a second job at Burger King just to make ends meet.

Despite it all, I also knew that my family always had my back, I recognized how much they had given up for a better life for me, and I respected their incredible work ethic. Success in school was of utmost importance for me to attend college and secure a good job.

However, Elizabeth had it so much worse than I did. The rising anti-immigrant sentiment in this country has been at an all-time high during her youth. My experiences in Tucson occurred 2 decades prior to hers, so the stigma back then was much less prevalent. Also, my parents were able to obtain their green cards under an immigration system that seemed to favor Western European immigrants. Eventually, they were naturalized, so we never lived with the fear of them being deported.

Elizabeth's reality was much more indicative of what immigrants go through every single day in this country today. The path to citizenship is much more obscure, making it difficult for families to remain together in the US despite their children having been born in this country. Her story is incredibly important, and one that must be taken into account as immigration reform takes center stage.

Many thanks to partners, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this gifted review copy. And thanks a ton Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez for the insight, the Tucson memories (the Rillito River analogy was 🔥🔥🔥), and the truth.

An interesting memoir about a young woman who had to rear herself after her parents weren’t allowed back in the US.
The author experienced a fraught filled childhood as her parents struggled to pay the bills.
She was left to her own devices after her parents weren’t allowed to return when she was a freshman in high school.
Gutierrez is plucky and resourceful and persevered because she had a Will to succeed.
I had the impression that her brother was left with her, but that didn’t happen until she was out of college.
A timely read.

This memoir is a captivating, emotional, and honest view into the seemingly insurmountable obstacles Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez faced as a first generation Mexican American. Now in her 20s, she was born in the U.S. to Mexican citizens, who chose her place of birth because being an American citizen and obtaining an American education could offer Elizabeth opportunities she would never have otherwise. Yet, Elizabeth never had a stable home, as her family bounced from one temporary living arrangement to another, fought a losing battle against immigration policies, and lived in fear of deportation. At 15, she ultimately was forced to choose between an American education and going back to Mexico with her family. Elizabeth exhibited maturity, resilience, perseverance, and courage at such a young and vulnerable age. I cried as I read her story, of the challenges and heartbreak she endured as an unaccompanied homeless youth, while trying to achieve the American dream. This memoir will stick with me, much like Educated and The Sound of Gravel have.

My Side of the River was just released on Feb. 13. Buy it. Read it. You won’t be disappointed.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my advance digital review copy.

#MySideoftheRiver #StMartinsPress

REVIEW ||

Happy Pub Day to this heart-wrenching memoir, MY SIDE OF THE RIVER by Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez @lizzycancu

She is the US born, eldest daughter of Mexican immigrants who, against incredible odds, stays in the US alone when her parents' visas are not renewed. Stripped of the security of a family, she finds strength and determination to continue excelling in school, graduating with honors and gaining admittance to a prestigious university.

Effectively homeless, and only 15 years old, my heart cried when reading about all the difficulties she faced initially. As if being a woman of color in the US isn't hard enough, she had the added burden of her family's expectations, the pressure of pulling her little brother up, and on some days, just getting food in her stomach. I think the author does a great job of showing the reader the effect of current immigration laws and generational trauma. So many feelings come up, as a first gen eldest daughter myself but also as a parent of a 15 year old - anger, sadness, frustration. impotence.

Highly recommend. This would make an excellent book club read.

Thank you @netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

#mysideoftheriver #elizabethcamarillogutierrez
#immigrantstories #firstgen #generationaltrauma #bipocstories #wocstories #netgalley #stmartinspress #minotaurbooks

One thing I love about books is when they give you a window into somebody else's perspective and world. This one definitely did that.

Elizabeth was born in America to hard-working parents who had crossed the border to the U.S. from Mexico to give her a better life. When she was 15, her parent's visa expired, and they were unable to stay in the United States. Confronted with being on her own and continuing an education here or going back to Mexico, where she was unfamiliar with writing the language and the culture, she chose to stay as an unaccompanied minor in the United States.

Her struggle was long and hard, but she persevered not only for herself, but also for her younger brother. She wanted him to also have a chance in America.

I gave this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Her story is so real and sheds light on the complexity of immigration issues. It was very thought-provoking and made me think about immigration not only from a political perspective, but also from the perspective of people living through it. When we put faces to political problems, it changes the way we think about them. I think it was courageous of Elizabeth to tell her story.

Thank you to @netgalley, @stmartinspress, @macmillan.audio and @librofm for an advanced copy and audio of this.

We here in America hear a lot about immigration and imigrants coming from Mexico. The sides couldn't be more polar opposite. What neither side does well is show each life is a life and that most people that come to our country want to work hard and make their families life better. Elizabeth Camarilli Gutierrez gives us a memoir about her growing up as an immigrant in America. You see her struggles of being seperated from her family, poverty struggles, danger and finally a story that will give you hope when she peserveres and gets into an Ivy League college and makes her parents proud. Most parents want what's best for their kids. We who live in this country take it for granted that we have the privilege to work hard and often times are rewared for our hard work. Immigrants want the same. In essence all Americans were one time immigrants. I think this is the perfect book for this country to read to understand one person who refelcts a lot of people in the immigrant population. You have no idea what the person on the train, sitting in a restaurant, working at one etc. got to be where they are. This is a great book club pick because you ould literally discuss it for hours. So many talking points. It should be read far and wide and a perfect book for high school kids to red and learn. Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the read.

A beautiful memoir by a very brave young left on her own to survive in America when her parents are deported back to Mexico.An eye opening look at the life of a very young unaccompanied minor in. America.The author studies accomplishes so much and is accepted to an Ivy League university.Highly recommend.an important read.#netgalley #st.Martins

Pub Day Book Review: My Side of The River - A Memoir 🌹

A New York Times Editor's Pick
A People Magazine Best Book to Read in February
A Goodreads Most Anticipated Book of 2024

Author: @lizzycancu
Publisher: @stmartinspress
Release Date: Feb 13 (out today!)

⁉️: If there was a moment that you could preserve in your life, what would that be?

For me, it’s moments that are fleeting and limited but equally valuable with my parents. After losing my mom in 2016, I have been feeling anxious to ensure that I get quality time with my dad who is the first most important person in my life.

As a US born citizen, Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez’s memoir is poignant, propulsive, and hard hitting. Imagine having your world turn upside down after suddenly losing your parents when their visas are not denied after taking a routine trip to Mexico. Being forced to stay behind, Elizabeth is forced to restart her life and pursue education while taking care of her young brother alone in a country. As a young student in her high school, she lost the one right that every child to have - right to have her parents due to broken immigrant laws.

For me, the metaphor of the river has stood out to me in the memoir. It reminded me of Edwidge Danticat’s The Farming of Bones where the author also explores how her ancestors were impacted by the river that divided Haiti and Dominican Republic. The river/water/ocean are also a dominant trope in immigrant narratives globally, and Gutierrez’s story as a young teen being forced to overcome her circumstances as a result of the river that divides the United States and Mexico is a story that should be read by everyone. I can’t rate memoirs as I don’t feel right rating someone’s life story but I would strongly recommend this memoir to anyone who loved Educated by Tara Westover and The Distance Between Us by Reyna Grande.

Thank you @stmartinspress for the gifted arc.

#MySideOfTheRiver #ElizabethCa

My Side of the River by Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez

Elizabeth was born in America to illegal immigrant parents from Mexico. Her memoir, which I received from Net Galley, tells of the struggles she and her family encountered throughout her childhood and into young adulthood.

Though her life was difficult and she often suffered alone, there were also people who helped her along the way. The author seems to feel that Mexico had no role in the poverty she and her family endured. I disagree and feel Mexico had the greater burden to keep her family together so they could remain in the country they loved.

Elizabeth’s story, published by St Martin’s Press, flows nicely and is interesting, but I lost patience with her many complaints. She did not convince me that her sacrifices, hard work and free education through college level would be worth it.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing an eARC of this book.
4.25 out of 5 stars

Set against the backdrop of Arizona's and America's growing tensions surrounding immigrants and rampant prejudice, this is a no-holds-barred true tale of the havoc wreaked on families torn apart by borders. Elizabeth, who was born in the United States, lives with her parents at her uncle's house. As she gets older, she sees the volatility of her uncle and aunt's relationship, and eventually her father and brother break ties. They move to a shed on the property of another uncle. Elizabeth sleeps in the bunk above her little brother.

When her parents' visas expire, they leave Elizabeth and her brother with a friend and go back to Mexico to reapply. They are denied, and they apply again, and for whatever reason (they are not given an explanation) they are told not to apply again for three years.

Elizabeth prepares herself for taking care of her little brother, and they cling together in their dark and tumultuous days, but one day Elizabeth gets back to the house from school and finds her brother is gone. Her mom's friend tells her to call her parents. When she does, they tell her that they had her uncle pick up her brother and bring him to them. He is too young to be so far away from them.

Elizabeth is devastated and feels betrayed. But she is given a gift - an option to stay with an old teacher who will help her make her way in America, and she doesn't have to do it alone. Already at the top of her class, when she goes to visit her family in Mexico Elizabeth asks her parents about living with the teacher. Her mom immediately agrees, but her father, with some ax to grind because of his insane, overbearing, money grubbing parents, says no.

So Elizabeth goes on a hunger strike. Eventually, her father relents.

At once heartbreaking, enlightening, touching, and informative, Gutierrez paints a portrait of what many families go through, invisibly, while an alternate narrative is painted for them by people who will never know them.

A shocking story of survival and what it takes to achieve the “American Dream,” at times so far from the comforts of America that it’s hard to believe it’s non-fiction. The US born daughter of Mexican immigrants, Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez was seen as “other” from the moment she entered the hospital nursery. Still, she had an advantage her parents did not- she was an American citizen. But this birthright did not grant Gutierrez any breaks. She grew up sleeping on movie theater benches as her parents worked overnight janitorial shifts under the table. Her family’s presence in America was tenuous; complicated family dynamics compromised their living situation on more than one occasion. Eventually, immigration policy changes force the Gutierrez family back to Mexico. Gutierrez resisted- not willing to waste the sacrifices her parents made to give her an edge up - and she returns to America to complete her high school education. Despite constantly existing in survival mode, Gutierrez is resourceful; scavenging scraps from classmates lunch trays and tirelessly working toward any opportunity to set herself ahead. She is relentless in her pursuit, and eventually her sacrifice pays off. She attains the coveted American education—at top of her class no less—and is admitted to a top college. But the story doesn’t end there, as she faces a new set challenges as she struggles to define her own success. It’s a story of resilience in the face of adversity and highlights many of the issues with the American immigration system. A story beautifully illustrated on a personal level that readers will solemnly identify with.
As a reader who has historically struggled to engage with non-fiction, I absolutely devoured this. As a healthcare worker who interacts with with immigrant populations on a daily basis, this story has gifted me with empathy for the struggles and sacrifices made to simply survive. Buy a copy for yourself and gift a copy to a friend; this is a story that deserves to be told.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC, and thank you to Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez for sharing her story.