About this guide the questions, discussion topics, and other material that follow are intended to enhance your groups conversation about cristina henriquezs the book of unknown americans, a powerfully honest, unforgettable story of two families, brought together by love and tragedy, each struggling to find their place in a new country. Cristina henriquez arturo and alma rivera have lived their whole lives in mexico. Read the book on paper it is quite a powerful experience. These people live days steeped in uncertainty and sometimes fear, and the sacrifices that are made in a move toward a better lot in life are huge. The book of unknown americans by cristina henriquez. Performed by six actors, we meet a striking teenager whose family has left behind their comfortable life in mexico in hopes of getting treatment for her traumatic brain injury in the us. Named a new york times and washington post notable book, an npr great read, the daily beasts novel of the year, and a mother jones, school library journal, and bookpage best book of the year when fifteenyear old maribel rivera sustains a terrible injury, the riveras leave behind a comfortable life in mexico and risk everything to come to the. The book of unknown americans by cristina henriquez is a 2014 knopf publication. The book of unknown americans by cristina henriquez goodreads. The book of unknown americans book chicago public library. The toro parents are immigrants from panama who have become legal citizens but struggle.
The book of unknown americans is a contemporary american novel of latino immigration by cristina henriquez. The book of unknown americans hardcover the elliott bay. While immigration has long been an important and contentious issue in the united states, the current situation with central american child refugees playing out at our border makes cristina henriquezs the book of unknown americans even more timely. The character of maribel rivera in the book of unknown americans. The unknown and the american dream longing isolation vs. The book of unknown americans hardcover andersons bookshop. The novel primarily revolves around a romance between two latino teenagers maribel rivera from mexico, and a mayor toro from panama and how maribel and her family handle living in a. The book of unknown americans is a stunning novel of hopes and dreams, guilt and lovea book that offers a resonant new definition of what it means to be american. Cristina henriquezs the book of unknown americans the new. But what we still need to talk about is how fantastic it is on audio. Once they arrive, its not long before maribel attracts the attention of mayor toro, th. Ive been looking to expand my reading repertoire lately, so while browsing through the literary offerings, i came across this book.
The book of unknown americans cristina henriquez p. Suspenseful, wry and immediate, rich in spirit and humanity, the book. The book of unknown americans summary from litcharts the. The book of unknown americans, by cristina henriquez. The book of unknown americans cristina henriquez, 2014 knopf doubleday 304 pp. The book of unknown americans tennessee reads overdrive. Jun 03, 2014 their journeys and their voices will inspire you, surprise you, and break your heart. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the book of unknown americans. The story takes place in a rundown apartment building in delaware, home to nine families who arrived in the.
To ask other readers questions about the book of unknown americans. Maribel had the kind of beauty that reduced people to. Named a new york times and washington post notable book, an npr great read, the daily beasts novel of the year, and a mother jones, school library journal, and bookpage best book of the year. An old refrigerator stood in the corner, its doors wide open. He represents a coming of age character, as he struggles with identity. Jami attenberg, author of the middlesteins some of the characters in the book of unknown americans were born in the united states, others came as adults or were brought here from central and south america. Arturo and alma rivera bring their teenage daughter, maribel, across the mexicou. The book of unknown americans is a deeply stirring story about a budding romance between two unlikely lovers, but it is also a ringing paean to love in general. And so, leaving all they have behind, the riveras come to america with a single dream. The book of unknown americans by cristina henriquez tells the story of several latin american immigrants living in an apartment building in delaware. The story is told from multiple first person points of view. The book of unknown americans, by cristina henriquez the.
From the first pages i was captivated by the sustained voices of the characters written with such grace and dignity as i felt their humanity, hopefulness, and despair to do what they had to do ensure a better life for their children and often, times themselves. The book of unknown americans f2016 fy reads read for. October the book of unknown americans latin america. Alma and arturo rivera left the only home they knew in patzcuaro, mexico, to bring their daughter, maribel who had suffered brain damage. The book of unknown americans characters from litcharts the. Maybe if i hadnt left school that day, none of this would. The book of unknown americans by cristina henriquez penguin. A novel vintage contemporaries kindle edition by henriquez, cristina.
The book of unknown americans audiobook by cristina. The book of unknown americans reading group choices. The book of unknown americans named a new york times and washington post notable book, an npr great read, the daily beasts novel of the year, and a mother jones, school library journal, and bookpage best book of the year when fifteenyear old maribel rivera sustains a terrible injury, the riveras leave behind a comfortable life in mexico and risk everything to come to the united. The book of unknown americans download ebook pdf, epub. Does the electronic version of the book completely replace the paper version. Cristina henriquez on the book of unknown americans. The book of unknown americans gives voice to an entire society of people who struggle and work for the hope of better livesbut these lives dont necessarily turn out as they may have dreamed. Best of all, if after reading an ebook, you buy a paper version of the book of unknown americans. The book of unknown americans by cristina henriquez reading. Jan 26, 2020 the book of unknown americans is not a polemic dressed up as a novel. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the book of unknown americans. Descriptive content provided by syndetics, a bowker service. The book of unknown americans characters gradesaver. The book of unknown americans vintage contemporaries.
The book of unknown americans gives powerful voice to america. The book of unknown americans cristina henriquez download. Best of all, if after reading an e book, you buy a paper version of the book of unknown americans. Named a new york times and washington post notable book, an npr great read, the daily beasts novel of the year, and a mother jones, school library journal, and bookpage best book of the yearwhen fifteenyear old maribel rivera sustains a terrible injury, the riveras leave behind a comfortable life in mexico and risk everything to come to the united states so th. Meanwhile, quisqueya solis, a prying neighbor who has also been the victim of assault, tells alma that mayor and maribel were alone. The book of unknown americans f2016 fy reads read for fun. As one man says, we are the unknown americans, those who are feared and hated.
The book of unknown americans gives powerful voice to. The the book of unknown americans quotes below are all either spoken by maribel rivera or refer to maribel rivera. Told through a host of different voices and perspectives, the book of unknown americans examines the experiences of hispanic immigrants to the u. While immigration has long been an important and contentious issue in the united states, the current situation with central american child refugees playing out at our border makes cristina henriquezs the book of unknown americans even. The book of unknown americans is not a polemic dressed up as a novel. May 30, 2014 the book of unknown americans by cristina henriquez tells the story of several latin american immigrants living in an apartment building in delaware. When fifteenyear old maribel rivera sustains a terrible injury, the riveras leave behind a comfortable life in mexico and risk everything to come to the united states so that maribel can have the care she needs. The book of unknown americans free pdf, chm, doc, epub. This study guide consists of approximately 45 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of the book of unknown americans. The book of unknown americans audiobook, written by cristina. Page 3, alma alma rivera, her husband, arturo, and their daughter, maribel, catch a ride in a. October the book of unknown americans summary when fifteenyear old maribel rivera sustains a terrible injury, the riveras leave behind a comfortable life in mexico and risk everything to come to the united states so that maribel can have the care she needs. Its a compelling story of sympathetic characters in challenging circumstances, both personal and sociocultural. Cristina henriquezs book of unknown americans the new.
At the heart of the book of unknown americans are the riveras, who managed to secure work visas after their 15year old daughter, maribel, suffered a traumatic brain injury in mexico. As maribel opens up to mayor, the infatuated boy nextdoor who is. The book of unknown americans summary and study guide. The book of unknown americans quotes by cristina henriquez. The book of unknown americans is a 2014 novel by cristina henriquez published by knopf. The character of maribel rivera in the book of unknown. The book of unknown americans by cristina henriquez book is 3. They are people you will care about and whom you will miss when you close the book. Alma rivera bring their teenage daughter, maribel, across the mexicou. The book of unknown americans is less about the actual trek of its characters than about how they settle in, make do and figure things out. The book of unknown americans by cristina henriquez pdf. Their stories speak to us, involve us in their lives.
They talk to one another, give advice and lend a hand. They have come because maribel, their beautiful 15yearold daughter, suffered a brain injury when she fell from a ladder, and she has never. Checking this book out is like doing a 180 for me as i usually stick pretty close to my preferred genres. After their daughter maribel suffers a nearfatal accident, the riveras leave mexico. Learn more about the book of unknown americans in the tennessee reads digital collection. Cristina henriquezs powerful novel the book of unknown americans captures readers with the quiet beauty of her characters and their profoundly wrought experiences as immigrants in america. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one.
Arturo and alma rivera have lived their whole lives in mexico. Skateboarding tough garrett millerwho bullies because he is bulledis a walking case of trouble for immigrants in general and mayor and maribel quite. The questions, discussion topics, and other material that follow are intended to enhance your groups conversation about cristina henriquezs the book of unknown americans, a powerfully honest, unforgettable story of two families, brought together by love and tragedy, each struggling to find their place in a new country. One day, their beautiful fifteenyear old daughter, maribel, sustains a terrible injury, one that casts doubt on whether shell ever be. An extraordinary novel that offers a resonant new definition of what it means to be american. The translator for the newark school district who helps alma rivera to understand and communicate with maribels teachers. An extraordinary novel that offers a resonant new definition of. Their journeys and their voices will inspire you, surprise you, and break your heart. One day, their beautiful fifteenyearold daughter, maribel, sustains a terrible injury, one that casts doubt on whether shell ever be the same. The novel primarily revolves around a romance between two latino teenagers maribel rivera from mexico, and a mayor toro from panama and how maribel and her family handle living in a new country. Maribel, recover from a nearfatal head injury, arturo and alma rivera have come to the u. Dec 30, 2015 does the electronic version of the book completely replace the paper version. The book of unknown americans homepage jacqueline koles, romy seidenman, and aaron lubell.
The book of unknown americans has already gotten heaps of love and praise. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Suspenseful, wry and immediate, rich in spirit and humanity, the book of unknown americans is a work of rare force and originality. About the author cristina henriquez is the author of the story collection come together, fall apart, which was a new york times editors choice selection, and the novel the. If he was old enough to process september 11th, theres no way hed be only 15. One day, their beautiful fifteenyear old daughter, maribel, sustains a terrible injury, one that casts doubt on whether shell ever be the same. Jul 06, 2014 the book of unknown americans is less about the actual trek of its characters than about how they settle in, make do and figure things out. Click download or read online button to get the book of unknown americans book now. Maribel rivera maribel is the daughter of alma and arturo. The central focus is the rivera family, who has travelled from mexico in order to get better schooling for their teenaged daughter, maribel. The book of unknown americans quotes showing of 79 were the unknown americans, the ones no one even wants to know, because theyve been told theyre supposed to be scared of us and because maybe if they did take the time to get to know us, they might realize that were not that bad, maybe even that were a lot like them.