Plot Points
The Journey
Characters
Themes
Geography
100

This is the age Javier was when he left El Salvador.

What is 9 Years Old?

100

The first country Javier leaves.

What is El Salvador?

100

The author and main character.

Who is Javier Zamora?

100

The emotional toll of being separated from family.

What is family separation?

100

Javier’s hometown in El Salvador.

What is La Herradura?

200

Javier begins his journey to reunite with these two family members.

What are his Parents?

200

Javier traveled through this country between El Salvador and the U.S.

What is Mexico?

200

Javier often calls this woman his "fake aunt" during the journey.

Who is Carla?

200

Javier’s journey is driven by this universal emotion.

What is love (or longing)?

200

The country Javier spends the most time in during his journey.

What is Mexico?

300

The number of weeks Javier's journey took instead of the expected two.

What is 7 Weeks?

300

These individuals, who guide migrants across borders for money, played a central role in Javier’s journey.

Who are coyotes?

300

This man becomes like a father figure to Javier during the journey.

Who is Chino?

300

A key theme, showing the harsh realities faced by migrants.

What is trauma or survival?

300

his river marks part of the U.S.–Mexico border.

What is the Rio Grande?

400

Javier’s journey ends in this U.S. state.

What is Arizona?

400

Javier’s journey was often interrupted by these.

What are arrests/deportations or raids?

400

The term Javier uses for the people who travel with him.

Who are "the group" or "the trip family"?

400

The loss of this, especially for a child, is evident in Javier’s journey.

What is innocence?

400

The type of terrain Javier must cross to reach the U.S.

What is the desert?

500

Javier hides in this type of vehicle during part of his border crossing.

What is a truck or a car trunk?

500

The nickname given to the desert Javier crossed.

What is "el desierto"? (or The Devil’s Highway)

500

This family member helped arrange for Javier’s trip.

Who is his grandfather (Abuelo)?

500

A recurring theme related to identity and belonging.

What is displacement or immigration?

500

The U.S. state Javier enters before reuniting with his parents.

What is Arizona?