Until Someone Listens: A Story About Borders, Family, and One Girl’s Mission

At eight years old, Estela Juarez wrote to the 45th U.S. president “about how his administration separated my military family instead of protecting it,” making national headlines. This moving autobiography by Juarez, written with Norman, offers a fuller context of the family’s story. Juarez grew up “in a house of full of love,” so apparent that “the palm trees outside leaned toward our home like they wanted to come inside.” When she was four, a government official threatened to deport Juarez’s mother to Mexico “because she wasn’t born in this country.” Then, “one August morning, that nightmare became real,” resulting in a family divided across borders and Estela taking up letter-writing “until someone listens.” Sun-dappled, tropical-colored digital artwork by Martínez illustrates family togetherness, while separations are indicated by scribbled shadows. Endnotes deliver final outcomes; a Spanish-language edition is also available. Ages 4–8. (Sept.)