The Crossroads
Jaime and Ángela discover what it means to be living as undocumented immigrants in the United States in this timely sequel to the Pura Belpré Honor Book THE ONLY ROAD.
After crossing Mexico into the United States, Jaime Rivera thinks the worst is over. Starting a new school can’t be that bad. Except it is, and not just because he can barely speak English. While his cousin Ángela fits in quickly, with new friends and after-school activities, Jaime struggles with even the idea of calling this strange place “home.” His real home is with his parents, abuela, and the rest of the family; not here where cacti and cattle outnumber people, where he can no longer be himself—a boy from Guatemala.
When bad news arrives from his parents back home, feelings of helplessness and guilt gnaw at Jaime. Gang violence in Guatemala means he can’t return home, but he’s not sure if he wants to stay either. The US is not the great place everyone said it would be, especially if you’re sin papeles—undocumented—like Jaime. When things look bleak, hope arrives from unexpected places: a quiet boy on the bus, a music teacher, an old ranch hand. With his sketchbook always close by, Jaime uses his drawings to show what it means to be a true citizen.
Powerful and moving, this touching sequel to The Only Road explores overcoming homesickness, finding ways to connect despite a language barrier, and discovering what it means to start over in a new place that alternates between being wonderful and completely unwelcoming.
ALSO AVAILABLE IN A SPANISH-LANGUAGE EDITION AS LA ENCRUCIJADA.
Rights details
World rights: Paula Wiseman Books, Simon & Schuster (September 2018)
Good news
The Southwest Book Award
Parents’ Choice Silver Award
“The Parents’ Choice Silver Honors are given to excellent products that are designed to entertain and help children develop universally ethical attitudes, and rigorous standards and skills.”
1st Place in the International Latino Book Awards 2019
Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year 2019
Featured in the 9-12 age group.
The Author
Alexandra Diaz
Alexandra Diaz (she/her/ella) is the award-winning children’s book author of THE ONLY ROAD, its sequel, THE CROSSROADS, and the companion novel, SANTIAGO’S ROAD HOME. THE ONLY ROAD is the recipient of multiple awards, including the Pura Belpré Honor and Américas Award, among others, as well as being on multiple state-wide reading lists. THE CROSSROADS received the Parents’ Choice Silver Award, 1st place in the International Latino Book Awards, and the Southwest Book Award. Her other books include OF ALL THE STUPID THINGS, (an ALA Rainbow List book and New Mexico-Arizona Book Award finalist), for young adults.
An overactive imagination had her making up stories at an early age and led to getting an MA in Writing for Young People from Bath Spa University. The daughter of Cuban refugees, she is a native Spanish speaker and translates her books into Spanish. She currently lives in Santa Fe, NM.
Alexandra is represented by Kristin Ostby.