My Two Border Towns
Review posted November 18, 2024.
Kokila (Penguin Random House), 2021. 36 pages.
Review written September 30, 2022, from a library book.
Starred Review
Here's a joyful and brightly-colored picture book about a boy who lives in Texas not far from the border with Mexico and goes back and forth between the towns on either side of the river with his father often. I've heard the award-winning author speak at library conferences and award celebrations about growing up near the border and about liminal spaces.
This book tells about the boy and his father getting up early, getting a list from his mother, and spending a day on the Other Side.
This town's a twin of the one where I live, with Spanish spoken everywhere just the same, but English mostly missing till it pops up like grains of sugar on a chili pepper.
They have an errand at the boy's aunt and uncle's jewelry shop, and he plays with his cousins while his dad takes care of that. The boy had brought a special bag with things for his "friends," and when they work on the shopping list and prescriptions for Mamá, they pick up more things for them.
On the way back over the border, the line is long, but Dad pulls over to the side.
A line of people camp along the edge, entire families from the Caribbean and Central America.
Refugees, Dad calls them. Stuck between two countries.
The U.S. says there's no room, and Mexico says it can hardly look after its own gente.
Élder sees me and rushes over. His hair is longer than when we first met, almost six months back.
They share their special handshake and the boy shows him the stuff he brought. They have medicine for Élder's mother, too.
He wishes Élder and his family could go back and forth across the border like they do with their passports.
"Soon, m'ijo," Dad says. "It's unfair to make him wait, since our country has room for his family right now.
"But when they get their chance at last, we'll welcome him with open arms."
All the way home I imagine a wonderful day,
when all my friends from the Other Side
can go back and forth
between my two
border towns,
just like me.
This book tackles a tough topic, but leaves the reader with an entirely happy message. It gives me a window -- I don't really know anything about what life is like near the border. But it also leaves me in awe of this family who matter-of-factly care for those who need it and don't see it as doing the needy a favor, but as joyfully sharing with friends.