Efrén Divided by Ernesto Cisneros

Efrén Nava, a seventh grader, lives in a studio apartment with his Amá,  Apá, and twin five year old sister and brother Mia and Max. While they have little, Efrén is thankful for what they do have, and a family that is tight knit and supportive. Efrén does well in school accompanied by his best friend David who is far more outgoing and gregarious than Efrén. 

Coming home from school, Efrén is surprised to find the house empty. His mother always keeps to a tight schedule, and is very protective of Efrén and his siblings. Worried, Efrén starts looking, but soon finds out his mother has been deported, captured by ICE when interviewing for a job. Efrén and his family's lives are turned upside down. Efrén is now tasked with household duties, caring for his brother and sister, while his father working three jobs, is trying to get his mother back.

Efrén has been taught to not burden others with his problems, and to not trust outsiders, so he doesn't share his problems with his friends, neighbors or teachers. Efrén starts to suffer in school, especially when one of his teachers come down hard on him for his tardiness and missing assignments. He will not reach out to his best friend, David, as he doesn't want his pity. But he does share with Jennifer Huerta, one of the smartest in his class. His relationship with Jennifer comes in conflict with his friend David, as Jennifer and David are running against each other for student body president. In the midst of middle school drama, Efrén just wants his mother back, and is willing to put himself in grave danger to help his father with her return.

This is an important book to be shared. As a middle school teacher, Efrén Divided was painful to read. I was, at one time, one of those unforgiving teachers that didn't accept excuses. Fortunately I changed midway through my career, but the book made clear to me my lack of compassion and understanding. Middle school life, as portrayed by Cisneros (a middle school teacher himself), is accurate. More important, is how the current status of immigrants in America, and the unconscionable way families are being ripped apart is brought to the forefront with a story that is carefully drawn to show the emotional toll, and the price our communities pay for governmental policy that is heartless. What happened to "Give me your tired, your poor...?"

Mark's Book Picks Score: 5

Reading Level: 4.5• Interest Level: 4-7 • AR Points: 6 • Lexile Level: 710L • Publisher: Harper Collins • Pages: 260 • Copyright: 2020 • ISBN: 978-0-06-288168-7 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding