AMERICAN DIRT: JEANINE CUMMINS

I was taken in and moved by this book, by the harrowing journey north by Lydia and her eight-year-old son, Luca, both fleeing from the local cartel that murdered 16 members of her family at a barbecue in Acapulco. I know Cummins has been criticized by some of cultural imperialism but I don't care. Every US Congressman should read this book before uttering a single word about the exodus of immigrants, mostly from Mexico and Central America.  Lydia and Luca's flight brings the reader into their lives, their heads as well as the lives of others as they overcome fear, violence, thirst, hunger, coyotes, deserts, and death.  Every American should read it so we can remember 'these people are people.'