Until Someone Listens

October 10, 2022
At eight years old, Estela Juarez wrote to the 45th U.S. president “about how his administration separated my military family instead of protecting it,” making national headlines. This moving autobiography by Juarez, written with Norman, offers a fuller context of the family’s story. Juarez grew up “in a house of full of love,” so apparent that “the palm trees outside leaned toward our home like they wanted to come inside.” When she was four, a government official threatened to deport Juarez’s mother to Mexico “because she wasn’t born in this country.” Then, “one August morning, that nightmare became real,” resulting in a family divided across borders and Estela taking up letter-writing “until someone listens.” Sun-dappled, tropical-colored digital artwork by Martínez illustrates family togetherness, while separations are indicated by scribbled shadows. Endnotes deliver final outcomes; a Spanish-language edition is also available. Ages 4–8.

July 29, 2022

PreS-Gr 3-This is an openly political book. It's written by a 13-year-old girl who spoke about her mother's deportation at the 2020 Democratic National Convention, and she has been forced to have a clear agenda. It's also a moving personal perspective about living under the constant threat of immigration laws that tear families apart. The Juarez family lives in a vibrant Floridian paradise. The beginning depicts a joyous family. The government officials, here portrayed by literal shadows darkening the walls of the family home, bring uncertainty as they threaten Estela's immigrant mother. The large, expressive eyes of the main characters draw readers in, illuminating the pain of separation. The illustrations, radiant when the loving family is together, become bleak and broken. It ends with moments of bright color seeping in as Estela commits to speaking up until her family can be together again. Admirably, while the book is hopeful, it cannot end on a clear happy note, because everything is not resolved. The closure is a small girl using all she has, her voice, to work towards a better tomorrow. VERDICT A humanizing-and necessarily upsetting-glimpse into immigration policies and the power of speaking out; share judiciously and with supplementary discussion.-Cat McCarrey

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 15, 2022
One family's fight to stay together. When Juarez's mom was 18, she traveled across the Mexican border into the United States to attend school, work, and live. She met and married a U.S. Marine, and they had two daughters. But when Juarez was 8, her mom was deported to Mexico. The girl was devastated by the loss of her mom, and her mother's absence left the family confused and distraught. Desperate to reunite her family, Juarez wrote letters to Congress and the president, among others. When these letters received media exposure, lawyers were able to help Juarez's mother return to the country. Juarez, now a teen, with co-author Norman, tells the story of her family's struggle to reunite and underscores the importance of speaking out against injustice. This sincerely told story conveys the difficulties and heartbreak that families of undocumented immigrants encounter as well as the complexity of the pathways to citizenship in the United States. Martinez's illustrations use color to depict the devastating effects on the family; a close-up of a young Juarez huddled on the floor is especially poignant. Yet the gentle artwork tempers the sadness. Both Spanish and English editions of the story are available; the message is powerful in any language. (This book was reviewed digitally.) An inspirational and heartfelt story that will resonate with young activists. (author's note, photos) (Picture-book memoir. 5-9)

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December 9, 2022
Grades 1-3 This review was written for the Spanish edition of this title, Hasta que alguien me escuche. Accompanied by vibrant and uplifting illustrations from Martinez, this emotional, autobiographical account follows four-year-old Juarez as her mother is unexpectedly deported and the girl consequently takes action, writing to Congress and to the president, and eventually speaking in public forums to bring attention to the injustice of her family's plight. Throughout the book, Juarez's love and admiration for her mother shines through, as well as her respect for her mother's role as a hard-working immigrant who moved to America in search of hope, success, and family. As the author's note explains, her family's separation threatened to tear them apart, and now that she has been temporarily reunited with her mother, her family and their support system continue to work tirelessly to bring their loved one home for good. The writing here is direct and unafraid to hold back, while still remaining gentle to young readers, and the illustrations capture the roller coaster of overwhelming emotions that affects families in this type of situation.

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