Second book in the series follows the brother, Emiliano, and sister, Sara, into the United States after escaping Mexican persecution when Sara discovered the human trafficing system in her small town. The story goes back and forth between a detention center and living in a large city where the siblings are dealing with their new lives while also trying not to be found with the evidence one of them still retains. Nice exploration of values, being brave but would have liked more depth in the fear they must have both felt and there was a quicker-than-expected wrap up. I was anticipating the story not ending with this book about 3/4 of the way through. Would recommend for JH and up. ( )

Illegal follows up on the characters we met in Disappeared, introducing what it's like to live as an illegal immigrant in the United States. Stop if you don't want spoilers from Disappeared!

Sara had to turn herself in at the end of the last novel. She's now in a detention facility in Texas. Considering the information that Sara has (from book one) would ruin a very powerful group of people who are making a lot of money selling people, Sara's life is in danger. People with money and who have the fear of losing that money could be desperate and their reach could be far. Meanwhile, Emiliano decides to stay with their father with his new family. Neither escape the reach of the criminals. Each decision they make could cost them their own lives or the lives of their siblings or parents.

I liked this novel better than the first one. I was much more interested and worried the entire time. Of course, it's a dramatization of what an immigrant goes through, but there's some reality in it as well. Many people seek to escape from danger and come to the United States. People harbor different opinions. This novel gives one view--just to expand one's thoughts. I'm not saying much because it's a book two, but it's really engaging. ( )

If you have an opinion on immigration, you owe it to yourself (and our country) to read (listen) to this book. Illegal immigration should not be the political ball it is today. We need to seriously find a way to welcome those who want to be American citizens and block those who want to profit from the deeply flawed system now in place. Forget the talking points - rewrite this law! Those opposed to illegal immigration may see the reality I have seen - how being illegal turns our immigrants into victims both from south of the border and within the US.

Life in Mexico is a death sentence for Emiliano and his sister Sara.

To escape the violent cartel that is after them, they flee across the border, seeking a better life in the United States and hoping that they can find a way to bring their pursuers to justice.

Sara turns herself over to the authorities to apply for asylum.

Emiliano enters the country illegally, planning to live with their father.

But now Sara is being held indefinitely in a detention facility, awaiting an asylum hearing that may never come, finding it harder every day to hold on to her faith and hope. Life for Emiliano is not easy either. Everywhere he goes, it's clear that he doesn't belong. And all the while, the cartel is closing in on them...

Emiliano sets off on a tense and dangerous race to find justice, but can he expose the web of crimes from his place in the shadows?

Award-winning author Francisco X. Stork's powerful follow-up to Disappeared delves with his usual sensitivity into the injustice that hides under the guise of the law in the United States. This is a timely and moving story that takes an unsparing look at the asylum process and the journey to find a new life in the US.

Americans - demand that new laws be written that protect those most in need of coming to America, instead of awarding those who exploit them. The wall is to keep out the criminal element, but we must have better ways of dealing with those wishing to come to America. And yes, there are those who hate anyone not just like them! ( )