Efren Divided

By: Ernesto Cisneros

Narrated by: Anthony Rey Perez

Winner of the Pura Belpré Award!

“We need books to break open our hearts, so that we might feel more deeply, so that we might be more human in these unkind times. This is a book doing work of the spirit in a time of darkness.” —Sandra Cisneros, author of The House on Mango Street

Efrén Nava’s Amá is his Superwoman—or Soperwoman, named after the delicious Mexican sopes his mother often prepares. Both Amá and Apá work hard all day to provide for the family, making sure Efrén and his younger siblings Max and Mía feel safe and loved.

But Efrén worries about his parents; although he’s American-born, his parents are undocumented. His worst nightmare comes true one day when Amá doesn’t return from work and is deported across the border to Tijuana, México.

Now more than ever, Efrén must channel his inner Soperboy to help take care of and try to reunite his family.

A glossary of Spanish words is included in the back of the book.

A book for people witb a heart

Through Efren Divided, Ernesto Cisneros tells an amazing story that parallels many children's struggles, here in the U.S.A. This is the land of the free, the home of the brave, a land of immigrants, or is it?

Beautiful story

I enjoyed hearing Efren’s story. The struggles of this family and so many immigrant families gives you a new perspective to the idea of privilege.

An important story for kids to read.

The narrator’s ability to deliver the story of a 12 year old boy with sincerity makes this audiobook worth the listen. I don’t speak Spanish, so I wanted to hear the words pronounced correctly as I read. I listen to a lot of young adult and middle level books and often the narrators make the characters sound even winier than they are written to be. Anthony Rey Perez doesn’t do this. He gives Efren a voice that sounds as kind and thoughtful as the author intended, and when needed, helps the audience feel the pain that Efren is struggling to manage. Great book! Great listen!

Immigrants' True Story!

I needed a happy closing. The story ends in a hopeful note but sad. I wonder if the author will write a sequel.

Spanish-english

I sttugwld here mainly because of the Spanish words, which I am not native.