REVIEWS+

Until Someone Listens: A Story About Borders, Family, and One Girl’s Mission

by Estela with Lissette Norman Juarez (text) & narrated by Estela Juarez
Macmillan Audio. Sept. 2022. 11p. $1.99. ISBN 9781250865359.
COPY ISBN
PreS-Gr 3–Juarez, just 13, makes both her authorial and narration debut with her family’s story of devastating separation. Juarez’s mother left her native Mexico at 18, eventually married a U.S. Marine, had two daughters, and “live[d] together in a house full of love” in Florida. But Juarez’s mother was undocumented and, when Juarez was four, government officials arrived to warn the family that “my mom had to go back—to the other side of the river—because she wasn’t born in this country.” Four years later, her mother was deported back to Mexico. Despite her youth, Juarez wrote to Congress, President Trump, newspapers, “anyone who could help...I discovered my words have power.” Juarez’s ending author’s note reveals the family’s fate—with a thank you to President Biden.
VERDICT Citing John Lewis’s March as inspiration to write her own book, Juarez is another heartening voice for justice.
Reviewed by Terry Hong , Jan 01, 2023

Be the first reader to comment.

Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

BLOGS

Read Rec Rachel: New YA Releases for November and December 2024
by Rachel Strolle
BLOGS

Girlmode | Review
by J. Caleb Mozzocco
BLOGS

Cover Reveal and Q&A: Dusti Bowling’s Latest – The Beat I Drum (Apr 2025)
by Betsy Bird
BLOGS

Kagurabachi, vol. 1 | Review
by Renee Scott
BLOGS

Wednesday Roundup: Middle Grade Fiction: the Newbery Sweet Spot?
by Steven Engelfried
BLOGS

Surviving the Slow Burn of Middle Grade, a guest post by Shannon Messenger
by Amanda MacGregor
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?