We Are All We Have

YA fiction

      Well, while we're on the topic of how America is betraying the promises of the Statute of Liberty in so many ways that grand lady would take off across the ocean if she wasn't welded to her pedestal I have another gem.  This one is for YA readers.

     "And then we are watching, stunned, as Ammi disappears down the stairwell, swallowed up in a mound of heads and shoulders.  It's only after she leaves that it sinks in.

     This was a raid.  An ICE raid."

     Raina, protagonist of Marina Budhos' We Are All We Have, is just weeks away from high school graduation.  She and her best friend, Fatima have worked really hard, getting top grades while handling family responsibilities.  The summer between high school and college is supposed to be a reward, a chance to chill.

     But one night people in black are in Rania's apartment about to take her single mother into custody.  The Department of "Justice" has implemented a zero tolerance policy.  ICE is swooping up even people having asylum requests processed.  Now Raina has only moments to learn how to protect herself and her little brother, Kamal, while separated from their only living parent.

     Rania is seven months away from turning eighteen.  She and Kamal need a legal adult to be able to stay in their apartment.  The person their mom designated as in case of emergency guardian backs out.  With her own daughter facing a misdemeanor charge Maria Auntie is afraid to do anything that could get them deported.

     The next outsiders to arrive are from Human Services.  They take Rania and Kamal to a shelter where they must stay 24/7.  The agency is too understaffed to escort the children to school.  They don't see that it matters.  It is, after all, the last week.

     Raina is not about to miss her graduation at which she's slated to receive an important award.  Accompanied by Kamal and a new friend, Carlos, she runs away into very precarious future.

     We Are All We Have is Budhos' third novel centered on immigrant teens post 9/11 experiences.  All her work is well worth reading.

On a purrrsonal note, the rest of my weekend was blissful.  I was up to date on homework and event stuff.  I was able to spend time on the sofa near the tree (which is still up.  Can you believe it?) with Tobago snuggling reading and writing.  I made individual pizzas for Eugene and me.  Premade shells sure.  But they were good.  I put pepperoni on his but not mine.  Tonight we're having the same.  This school week will be super busy.  Monday I have 3 meetings and internship office hours.  I have to make a big meal Monday night so Eugene will have enough leftovers for Tuesday and Wednesday when I run canteen for the Red Cross blood drive.  I'm bringing in materials for donors to make Valentines cards while they're in canteen.  Then Thursday and Friday I have office hours.  Meanwhile Emma and I will be working on Black Bears Have Heart.  (Jules).

Of course I take care of the house while she's at school.  It's in good paws.  (Tobago)

A great big shout out goes out to Emma.

Tobago and Jules Hathaway 

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