At just nine years old, Javier Zamora left his grandparents and aunt in El Salvador for what his parents called a 'trip'—really a brutal 3,000-mile gauntlet through Guatemala, Mexico, and into the US. What started as a two-week plan stretched into two harrowing months of boat crossings on choppy waters, endless desert marches under scorching sun, close calls with guns, and betrayals by supposed guides. Solito isn't just Zamora's story; it's a window into the quiet heroism of millions who've made similar desperate pushes for a better life.
Traveling with a ragtag group led by a 'coyote,' young Javier faced thirst that clawed at his throat, nights huddled in fear, and moments of pure terror when authorities closed in. Yet amid the chaos, kindness bloomed: fellow migrants shared meager food, stories, and protection, turning strangers into an makeshift family. Zamora's prose pulls no punches—he describes the stench of sweat-soaked clothes, the ache in blistered feet, and the flicker of hope that kept him going.
This New York Times bestseller and Read with Jenna pick won hearts (and awards like the LA Times Christopher Isherwood Prize) for its unflinching honesty. It's not preachy; it's personal, painting immigration not as headlines but as a kid's wide-eyed fight to hug his mom again after four long years apart. Readers rave about finishing with tears, moved by the resilience and unexpected love found in the darkest stretches.
Grab Solito on Kindle for those quiet evenings when you crave a story that challenges and comforts. Book clubs love debating its themes of family, borders, and human spirit. Whether you're into memoirs, migration tales, or just real-life thrillers, this one's a page-turner that lingers. Experience the journey that NPR called 'gripping' and Emma Straub read with her 'heart in her throat.' Your bookshelf (or device) needs this one.
