American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins

                                                                                                                                       It was Lydia's niece's birthday and the whole family had gathered at her mother's house for a celebration.  That's when the cartel came.  Sixteen members of her family were shot and killed.  Only Lydia and her ten year old son, Luca, survived as they had been in the house and were able to hide.  Lydia's husband was a journalist in Mexico, the country most dangerous to journalists.  He had written an expose of the local cartel's leader.  Lydia, who knew the man, thought he would not take revenge due to their friendship but she was wrong.  

Now the only thing to do is run.  Lydia and Luca take off with only what they are able to pack or find at her mother's house.  They plan to go to the United States where Lydia has an uncle who might be willing to help them.  Their journey is long and full of danger.  They must ride on top of trains, find housing at night that is safe and they are never sure where their next meal will come.  Lydia must be ever vigilant as the cartel leader has sent his gang across Mexico with her picture and a message that he wants her returned.

But there are some kind people along the route also.  The migrants help each other as much as they can.  They meet two sisters who have journeyed from another country, also fleeing violence and form a relationship with them.  Another young boy fleeing from a life that started in a garbage dump joins their group as does an educated woman who lived in the United States for years and was deported, leaving behind her two daughters.  

I have to admit that I had made assumptions about this book that were wrong.  I assumed it was more about the actual crossing into the United States and what happened then.  Instead, almost the entire book is set in Mexico and details the journey and the dangers encountered along the way.  The author has no experience in immigration but did marry an undocumented immigrant.  Her family also suffered the murder of family members when the author was a girl.  Regardless, this book is stunning and no reader can be unaffected by Lydia and Luca's journey and strength.  This book is recommended for literary fiction readers.