Plot Points
This is the age Javier was when he left El Salvador.
What is 9 Years Old?
The first country Javier leaves.
What is El Salvador?
The author and main character.
Who is Javier Zamora?
The emotional toll of being separated from family.
What is family separation?
Javier’s hometown in El Salvador.
What is La Herradura?
Javier begins his journey to reunite with these two family members.
What are his Parents?
Javier traveled through this country between El Salvador and the U.S.
What is Mexico?
Javier often calls this woman his "fake aunt" during the journey.
Who is Carla?
Javier’s journey is driven by this universal emotion.
What is love (or longing)?
The country Javier spends the most time in during his journey.
What is Mexico?
The number of weeks Javier's journey took instead of the expected two.
What is 7 Weeks?
These individuals, who guide migrants across borders for money, played a central role in Javier’s journey.
Who are coyotes?
This man becomes like a father figure to Javier during the journey.
Who is Chino?
A key theme, showing the harsh realities faced by migrants.
What is trauma or survival?
his river marks part of the U.S.–Mexico border.
What is the Rio Grande?
Javier’s journey ends in this U.S. state.
What is Arizona?
Javier’s journey was often interrupted by these.
What are arrests/deportations or raids?
The term Javier uses for the people who travel with him.
Who are "the group" or "the trip family"?
The loss of this, especially for a child, is evident in Javier’s journey.
What is innocence?
The type of terrain Javier must cross to reach the U.S.
What is the desert?
Javier hides in this type of vehicle during part of his border crossing.
What is a truck or a car trunk?
The nickname given to the desert Javier crossed.
What is "el desierto"? (or The Devil’s Highway)
This family member helped arrange for Javier’s trip.
Who is his grandfather (Abuelo)?
A recurring theme related to identity and belonging.
What is displacement or immigration?
The U.S. state Javier enters before reuniting with his parents.
What is Arizona?