Books

Throughout the narrative, books are a source of information, inspiration, and comfort to the author. He discovers his love of books and reading in the homeless shelter where he and his family had to live for several months, and realized that they were a fundamental, defining source of identity for him. His life from that point on was defined by his desire to read more, learn more, and as a result, to improve his life and that of his mother.

“Papeles” (papers)

Throughout the book the author, whose first language is Spanish, uses the term "papeles" to represent the immigration papers, or proof of citizenship, that he and his mother lack. This lack of "papeles" is what makes them undocumented immigrants, and is what puts their life and work and careers in America at risk. The use of the Spanish term is significant, in that the author's...