Why did I love this book?
I loved Solito. This is my favorite book from the past year.
This book is written from the point-of-view of the author, Javier Zamora, as a young boy (Javiercito). The story focuses on this young boy’s journey from Ecuador to America. It is an immigration story, but one that is imbued with the wonder and emotion of a child.
There are treacherous moments, but also moments of such ardent love that I needed to weep. We read to learn and be transported. In this book, I learned a lot of Spanish and Central American music. I was also transported with these tired masses making this dangerous trip.
It reminds all of us that every immigration story is ultimately a deeply personal one. I wish everyone could read this.
2 authors picked Solito as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.
A TELEGRAPH BOOK OF THE YEAR
'Solito is my travel book of the year.' Telegraph
'Heartbreaking... A rare, eye-opening rendition of the brutal reality of border-crossing.' Lea Ypi
'If there's any justice, Solito will someday be considered a classic.' Rumaan Alam
Young Javier dreams of eating orange sherbet ice cream with his parents in the United States. For this to happen, he must embark on a three-thousand-mile journey alone. It should last only two weeks. But it takes seven.
In limbo, Javier learns what people will do to survive - and what they will forfeit to save someone else. This…