As a former public high school librarian I met many teens who faced the real fear that this could happen to them. My concern for these young people remains a high priority and forms the basis of my desire for real, meaningful changes to our immigration problem/rules. It should also be possible to keep out the cartels and criminals. The citizens and future citizens deserve nothing less. People who want to come to the US as citizens should have a reasonable way to do so without being caught in the illegal net.

I encourage all to read books like this (especially the real stories of people caught in this web) and force our government to deal with this situation.

I loved this memoir. It made me laugh and cry. Elizabeth is is a strong voice who tells of life as a second generation immigrant. Highly recommended.

Thank you publisher and netgalley.

All thoughts and opinions are my own and aren't influenced by anyone else

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martins Press for the digital copy and physical of this book. I am in no way compensated for my review. Everything I write is my own thoughts, feelings, and opinions. I am in no way affiliated with any of the above mentioned companies.
I loved this book! I feel like Elizabeth did a great job capturing her life up until around 2020. I wish she would have left an update as to her fathers health status, along with Fer's status. However I respect the fact that she too deserves privacy.
.She wrote this book in such a manner with great detail- that I could see what she was describing and feeling. She was able to make me the reader feel what she feeling and see what she was seeing. This book made me laugh, cry, get angry and as a mother myself I just wanted to hug her. This is a great book that I will save for my library.

I love when a memoir dives into societal structures and concepts that are bigger than any one person, and this one perfectly finds that balance. Readers will be engrossed in the author’s story while also learning a lot about the policies and societal norms that impacted her life. Immigration, education, mental health, and poverty are some of the big societal ideas that are tackled in this book, done so in a way that shares the first-hand perspective of someone having to navigate all of these.

I originally picked up this book because the author went to school about a mile away from one of the many schools I attended growing up, and I loved seeing many aspects (both positive and negative) of the city through her eyes. It is so important that experiences such as hers are shared and put into the spotlight, especially in a time where government policies and media consistently try to dehumanize immigrants.

I definitely recommend this book, and I’m grateful to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy!

Elizabeth Carillo Gutierrez is a first generation Mexican American. When she was fifteen, her parents, who had Visas, returned to Mexico to renew them. Denied renewal, the family also had her younger brother, a citizen of the US, brought back to Mexico. Elizabeth was left to live with a family who virtually ignored her, including denying her food, while she strove to do well in school and get accepted into a good college. Despite all her tribulations, she was accepted at an Ivy League school, but was never far away from the strife, prejudice, pressure and sometimes panic that resulted from the present day immigrant experience in America.

I am not a big fan of memoirs, but this is a wonderful read. Simultaneously heart breaking and heart warming, it provides good insight into the unfortunate immigrant experience of so many children separated from their parents and siblings. Readers see the way immigrants are scapegoated when all they want to do is work hard and take care of their families, hoping for a better future for their children, the separation of innocent, hardworking families, the prejudice, the exploitation, the dehumanization, and the very real effects on two children. Here also are the laws that have erased the acknowledgment of the true history and the culture of so many people, the politics behind immigration, the blockage of passing any meaningful changes.

I am especially pleased that the author points out the land grab by the United States and indigenous displacement that occurred in Mexico in the early 1800s. Not to many people know about this, yet they should. She also documents the effects of cultural machismo on a family.

I would recommend this book for book clubs everywhere; there is so much that should be learned about and discussed.

Gutierrez is well known for her TED talk titled, "What's missing from the American immigrant narrative", which I found to be not only personally relatable but also important given my own family's immigration journey and the political climate we find ourselves in.

In her book, "My Side of the River", Gutierrez recounts her story of growing up with immigrant parents, and the emergence of the SB1070 bill, which essentially legalized racial profiling by allowing authorities to request legal documentation from any person for any reason at any time. Her story continues into adulthood and her journey not only in higher education but also in joining the corporate world.

Gutierrez writes in what feels like her own speaking voice, which makes the book very readable, but a bit difficult to engage with at times. As it does read more like a transcript of a conversation she's having with a friend, I do feel that this would be an excellent audiobook and I look forward to listening to this when the audiobook becomes available.

I recommend this book if you enjoy:
Latin-American stories, stepping into someone else's shoes, sprinkles of humor, coming-of-age stories, and learning more about what it's like to be a first-generation child of immigrants.

"My Side of the River" by Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez is a poignant and empowering memoir that traces the author's journey from a childhood marked by poverty and adversity to her eventual success as an educator and advocate. Gutierrez's narrative is both heartbreaking and uplifting, offering a candid exploration of resilience, identity, and the pursuit of education. Her prose is evocative, capturing the emotional nuances of her experiences. "My Side of the River" serves as an inspiring testament to the transformative power of education and determination, reminding readers of the strength found within the human spirit to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges.

I received this book for review before it's publication by NetGalley.

My Side of the River by Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez does a wonderful job of portraying the conflicts of first-generation children born to parents who may not be citizens, living in a country determined to enforce laws that may seem inhumane at times. When Elizabeth is a Freshman in High School, and thriving as a student, her parents get unexpected news that their VISAs will not be renewed, so they make the decision to leave her and her brother in the US, to continue their education, as they travel back to Mexico to try to legally sort out their paperwork.

As Elizabeth's parents continue to encounter barrier after barrier in the application process, they must also battle with the decision of leaving their children behind. This is a common sentiment for Latino families who have immigrated to another country, often leaving family behind, until they settle down in a new country. But in this case, the parents do not know whether they will ever be allowed to return. And yet they know that the best possibility of a future for Elizabeth and her younger brother is in the US.

Throughout the book, we see Elizabeth struggle with the fact that she is away from her parents and eventually her brother. We see what the stress of trying to be the best to prove that their sacrifice was not in vain does to her mental health. And sadly, there are too many out there who can read this text and 100% relate to how Elizabeth felt growing up.

Elizabeth was born in the US to immigrant parents on the mid nineties. They lived in a small trailer with family (Elizabeth’s Aunt & uncle.) Elizabeth’s parents worked hard but being immigrants they struggled holding down any good paying job. Elizabeth spent her early childhood going to a good school but her home life was pretty hectic. She had her little brother and her neighbor who made life a little easier. Elizabeth was an amazing student and did very well educationally. By her teenage years the SB 1070 was signed and her parents were now at the forefront of deportation. Her parents had to head back to Mexico to renew their visa. Elizabeth stays in the U.S. to pursue her education. She works harder than anyone else in order to secure a scholarship because her education is all she has. This beautifully written book made me laugh and cry, I haven’t cried this much from a book in a long time. Elizabeth is the epitome of strength and resilience!

Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez was a teenager when her parents went back to Mexico for a visit and could not return to their Arizona home because their tourist visa had expired. Elizabeth and her brother were born in the U.S. and from childhood had been told about the importance of education. Elizabeth entered high school in Arizona as the number one student in her middle school, ready to take flight.

Her parents' detention in Mexico puts her in a situation. They won't let her join them in Mexico so that she keeps on with her education. She begins a saga of sleeping on people's couches, going sometimes going hungry, always stressed, until her counselor catches on and gets some supports in place. She ultimately goes the the University of Pennsylvania, where she meets other first-generation students and launches herself. Of course, this is no guarantee and she'll be successful She has drive but no experience working in the high powered banking environment she chooses. Her creativity and resourcefulness find a home elsewhere, and we know her story is just beginning.

It's a disservice to compare My Side of the River to books by Reyna Grande or Tara Westover because there's one major difference. Elizabeth has parents who put education before anything else, while the other two got their educations in spite of their families. They all had to fight and keep on fighting, and Elizabeth takes her younger brother with her to make sure his path is easier than hers was.

I received a review copy of this memoir in exchange for an honest review.

this book explores themes of immigration, broken families, separation trauma and sacrifices. get the tissue ready. the author put her heart into this book.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC: A compelling memoir--I read it in one sitting. The author, as others have written, changes her tone to reflect the stages of her life. She was born in the US to Mexican parents who were on tourist visas. The visas were suddenly revoked when she was 15, and she stayed under harrowing circumstances. Gutierrez's mother had always told her to be the best, and she never stops striving. She excels in school and goes to U Penn--where she faces a reckoning after years of stress and lack of care. And yet she strives and excels. She brings her teenage brother back to America and becomes his guardian in her early 20's. The author paints a vivid portrait of loving Mexican parents who face the indignities of life as illegal immigrants. Her family is loving, but the stress causes behavioral issues. The author has given TED talks--which led to this book. Her story of persevering despite lack of support, forced separation from her parents, having to navigate adolescence essentially on her own--as a starved, homeless teen--and finding her Ivy League college education and subsequent financial industry job bring more challenges, makes for compelling reading. Gutierrez is a strong voice who tells an important account of life as a second generation immigrant. Highly recommended.

A memoir depicting the experiences of the U.S. born daughter of immigrants whose parents are deported when she is in high school. Not my fave memoir, but still decent. It kind of read like an extended college application essay.

A memoir. Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez is the U.S.-born daughter of Mexican immigrants. When she was fifteen, a freshman in high school, and at the top of her class, her parents' visas expired, and they had to return to Mexico. Elizabeth became responsible for herself and her younger brother, Fer[dinand]. Education was always the mainstay of her parents' mantra--why she was in the U.S, education was the key to the "American Dream"--and the opportunities it afforded to get ahead.

Through "sheer teenage determination" Elizabeth forged her path ahead. The backstory of her parents' lives, their various living conditions, their families, the poverty, scraping by, her drive, resourcefulness, and will to survive [even thrive!]. her loneliness, mental anguish, and so much more. Immigration policies and broken families.

The "brown" girl who pushed the limits and didn't fit in to her various circumstances. The life she led with her brother Fer, who was initially brought back to Mexico after her parents had to leave and then returned to the U.S. as her ward so he too could have the same educational opportunities. Her life in Arizona, Philadelphia [at Penn], and then New York City as a member of the workforce [in finance].

Yes, the story is compelling. BUT I did not find the telling compelling. It was ingteresting and I was interested but felt the book lacked spark. I was always routing for her.

In the distinct minority of reviewer ratings.

In this candid age-progressing memoir, Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez shares her experience as a U.S. born daughter of immigrants. She lived south of the Rillito River in Tucson, Arizona. Crossing into Mexico used to be seamless. Then her parents' visa expired and they were forced to return to Mexico. Elizabeth was left responsible for her younger brother and education.

Imagine living in fear. Imagine having to stay in Mexico when your life is in the United States. Imagine separating from your children and deciding to leave them a world away for a chance at better education. Imagine having to fade into crowds. Imagine working a job you hate in a system that doesn't see your family as humans. On a lighter note, imagine the smell of fresh tamales and watching Disney as a form of escape.

Elizabeth so honestly shares her experience from early childhood to adulthood with the hopes that readers will understand. She did a fine job translating her Brown girl story to print.

My Side of the River explores themes of immigration, broken families, separation trauma and sacrifices. There are sad moments but through it all, I admire Elizabeth's determination to succeed despite adversities and constantly fighting currents. Usually I recommend nonfiction releases to Bookhearts that like memoirs but My Side of the River needs to be read by politicians to absorb the effects of their views made into laws.

Happy Early Pub Day, Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez! My Side of the River will be available Tuesday, February 13, 2024.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

In My Side of the River, Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrrez shares her story of growing up as the older daughter of Mexican immigrants living in Arizona. This memoir is a great combination of chronicling the author's family relationships and education and also the immigration policies that deeply impacted her life. Her writing style flows well and kept me engrossed in her story. Highly recommended for readers of memoirs and those interested in immigration issues.

While I enjoyed learning about the author's unique experiences and reading her creative prose, the overall unfolding of the story and development left a little to be desired. I know a memoir is not the same as an autobiography, however, I wasn't able to quite follow her pace or entirely follow her reasoning when it came to pacing and what she put in and left out of the story. One example of this is with her relationship with her brother. This may just be my perception and it doesn't take away from the power of the story or my enjoyment of it. Overall, it was a very inspiring read.

After growing up in Mexico, Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez’s parents knew they wanted to have their children in the United States. When their visas ran out after years of struggling to make ends meet, they returned to Mexico. Gutierrez was 15 when she came back to the U.S. – alone – to complete her education because her parents were not allowed to return. She’s now written this engrossing memoir about her family, their harrowing experiences with the U.S. immigration system, how she managed and her dedication to making it easier for her brother to follow in her footsteps.

My Side of the River by Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez shares her gripping experience as a U.S. born daughter of immigrants and what happened when, at fifteen, her parents were forced back to Mexico.
Gutierrez has written a beautiful memoir yet it was such a heartbreaking story.
I don’t know what it was but I was hooked to her journey. I couldn’t stop reading once I started.
A powerful and unforgettable read.

I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this ahead of its publication date in return for my honest review.

At 15 years old Elizabeth is left alone in Tucson, Arizona when her immigrant parents and younger brother are forced to leave the US and move back to Mexico. With her parent's dreams of seeing Elizabeth achieve success they were not capable of, the most important thing becomes ensuring Elizabeth gets an education in America, even at the loss of family.

Life is not easy for Elizabeth, even before she is left on her own as a minor. Growing up, her family lived in extreme poverty because her parents were only in America on temporary visas and were not legally allowed to work. With a constant fear of deportation, her parents did not apply for any of the social assistance programs Elizabeth and her younger brother Fernando were entitled to as US citizens, worried the applications would be flagged. After her parents are denied reentry into the states, Elizabeth cares for her younger brother for a few months, and then is left alone with neglectful strangers to survive until graduation. Here she experiences loneliness and loss, while trying to be an adult without any of the resources she needed.

There were a lot of moments in this story that I could relate to in terms of my own childhood trauma. While much different than Elizabeth's my trauma did also involve being given adult responsibilities at too young an age. The frustrations she shared rang true for me in many instances, especially when she was expected to act as an adult without being given the resources or information required to do so successfully.

I learned a lot about the immigration system in the US, especially the problems faced by Mexican citizens in the mid 2000s. I had no idea there was a "show my your papers" law which required officers to demand immigration papers from anyone at any given time. Or that in 2010 there was a bill in Arizona that banned ethnic studies, including books by Mexican authors in school libraries. I can only imagine how hard that must have been for so many immigrants and even American citizens with Latinx backgrounds during that time (and I'm sure it continues today or at least in recent years). There were also a lot of quotes and anecdotal information that were woven throughout the story and really stayed with me long after I finished reading.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I learned a lot and also connected with the author/narrator quite a bit. It was easy to follow in a memoir narrative chronological style and I appreciated the anecdotal and informative pieces woven throughout. A great book for anyone wanting to learn more about the immigrant experience in the southern US. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this book!