#MMGM: Land of Broken Promises by Jane Kuo
REVIEW
In this follow-up to In the Beautiful Country, Anna's family continues to adjust to their new home. Anna's found a friend and she enjoys school. Her classmates all seem to have fun summer plans while she's expected to spend her summer working at her family's restaurant/store, which she is not looking forward to, although the money she will earn will be welcome. But the discovery that the visa allowing them to stay in the country has expired and they are now in the country illegally throws the whole family into upheaval. Her mother takes a job in another city hoping to earn money to hire a lawyer to help and Anna is left to wonder if dreaming about the future is even worth the effort. The free verse beautifully conveys Anna's feelings as she struggles to come to terms with her changed circumstances and her inability to confide in anyone. In addition, the free verse makes the book a quick and easy read that inspires compassion for Anna's struggles. As in the first book, the author shares a story of ups and downs, hope and despair that her characters experience. I especially enjoyed the scenes with Anna and her father as he shares with her his hopes for her and encourages her to keep dreaming despite their difficult circumstances. Based on her own experiences as a young immigrant in the 1980s, the story provides young readers with a glimpse into life as an immigrant and some of the challenges that come with it. While the ending felt a bit abrupt, I'm still hoping for additional stories about Anna as she works to achieve her dreams and develops her love for the written word.
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