****The Distance Between Us, A Memoir, by Reyna Grande

A powerful novel that describes the immigrant experience - from poverty, dreams of the "other land" and lack of opportunity to opportunity and success. These factors combined with parental abuse, abandonment and alcoholism render the struggle even more difficult. Considering our current political status regarding immigration, this is a highly relevant novel that could help those who villify our nations immigrants understand what it means and costs to hope for a better life.