Why Students Should Read Honest Literature

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    I firmly believe that reading what I deem to be "honest literature" is paramount for adolescents. Texts that expose the good, the bad, and the ugly give students a realistic view of the world and can expand their perspective. It is important that teachers create an environment where students can learn as much as they can about the world, whether it be across the globe or in their own backyard. The perfect example for "honest" adolescent literature is La Linea by Ann Jaramillo. In this novel, Miguel and Elena leave their hometown in Mexico in an effort to join their parents in California. The pair faces many obstacles including being robbed, hopping on and off of trains, escaping the Mexican police and marching through the unforgiving desert. However, the most incredible thing about this book is the fact that thousands of people go through this exact journey every year, including adolescents. 

    Through this novel, Jaramillo is able to show the resilience, perseverance, and strength of teens. She also uses these adolescents to contemplate themes like desperation, sacrifice and hope. The desperation of thousands of people is obvious through those who lose their lives attempting to hop on a train or cross the desert. They know that the journey is dangerous yet they embark on it anyway, because of a desire to find a better life: one with enough money, food, and protection. The sacrifice is sobering because people who have nothing, give everything they have just to give others a chance of survival. Poor families throw food to the stowaways on the trains, people like Javi give up their chance at crossing the boarder, and people like Mosies give their lives. But the hope is also real and tangible. All the migrants go through all of this pain because of hope. 

    Jaramillo likely chose adolescents to be the protagonists of her story because they are the most resilient. They keep going until they either accomplish their goal or die trying. She also chose these characters because it puts human faces to the heated topic of illegal immigration. It can incite compassion, and empathy in almost anyone. But I think the main reason she wrote this novel from the perspective of an adolescent was so that other adolescents can relate. Those who have crossed the boarder, or knows someone who has, can connect with a text and can possibly use it to cope with their own experiences. And those who cannot make a direct connection, can relate to Miguel or Elena in other ways and ultimately determine that we are all people. This novel will also serve to educate those who know little about immigration in our country. In the end, it could be young people that turn our entire country around. 

Comments

  1. A'Keriah PraylowNovember 18, 2020 at 6:59 PM

    I love how you characterized La Linea as being "honest literature". Honest literature tells the realistic truths of those around us that we either can or can't relate to. La linea gives students a slight glimpse of what immigrants go through to better their life conditions. I also love how you stated that adolescents are the most resilient. Children go through so much before the age of 18 and its rare that they are given their credit for being strong.

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