Efrén Divided by Ernesto Cisneros

Publisher: Quill Tree Books
Publication date:  March 31th 2020
Pages: 272

Efrén Nava has the best mom in the world. So amazing that he calls her Soperwoman, after the best delicious Mexican sopas she frequently makes. His mom and dad work hard to make ends meet and to provide for Efrén and his two younger siblings Max and Mia, and Efren feels just so save and loved at home.

But his live and that of his siblings and his dad is totally turned upside down when mom doesn't return home from work one day. After searching about her whereabouts they find out she is arrested by the ICE at her work and is deported back to Tijuana, Mexico because the whole family is undocumented. Because Efrén's dad has to make long working days now his mom's work has fallen away, Efren has to take care of his two siblings beside his long school days. At schools he feels not safe and ashamed of what is happening at home, so he doesn't tell anyone, not even his best friend David, who is running for school president and needs Efren's help with his campaign. Meanwhile, Efren's dad frantically tries to get his mother back to the USA but it takes a lot of struggle, perseverance, and most of all, money. After a few unsuccesfull attempts, his father decides to go to Tijuana himself with the money to try it himself, and when Efren asks his father if he can go with him, he agrees after some time. And then a dangerous journey where Efren finds himself alone in Mexico to save his mom, begins, will he succeed??

Efrén Divided is an outstanding beautiful written realistic book about a very actual topic; Deportation of family members by the ICE. It was heartbreaking when Efrén came home to not find his mother there, who was always home when he came home after school. Even more moving was how he, beside school, was trying to make the best of it with taking care of his young siblings Max and Mia. How hard must it have been for a teen to do this together with not knowing if you ever will see your beloved mother back. The storyline really was page turning, and it keeps you on the edge of your chair to find out if everything will make a turn for the better for Efren's family. The last part where that question is answered was really good and a perfect wrap up of the book.