Solito

A Memoir

By: Javier Zamora

Narrated by: Javier Zamora

New York Times Bestseller • Read With Jenna Book Club Pick as seen on Today • Winner of the Los Angeles Times Christopher Isherwood Prize for Autobiography • Winner of the American Library Association Alex Award

A young poet tells the inspiring story of his migration from El Salvador to the United States at the age of nine in this “gripping memoir” (NPR) of bravery, hope, and finding family.

Finalist for the PEN/John Kenneth Galbraith Award for Nonfiction • One of the New York Public Library’s Ten Best Books of the Year

Longlisted for the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence and the PEN/Open Book Award

“I read Solito with my heart in my throat and did not burst into tears until the last sentence. What a person, what a writer, what a book.”—Emma Straub

“A riveting tale of perseverance and the lengths humans will go to help each other in times of struggle.”—Dave Eggers

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The New York Times Book Review, NPR, The Washington Post, San Francisco Chronicle, Vulture, She Reads, Kirkus Reviews

Trip. My parents started using that word about a year ago—“one day, you’ll take a trip to be with us. Like an adventure.”

Javier Zamora’s adventure is a three-thousand-mile journey from his small town in El Salvador, through Guatemala and Mexico, and across the U.S. border. He will leave behind his beloved aunt and grandparents to reunite with a mother who left four years ago and a father he barely remembers. Traveling alone amid a group of strangers and a “coyote” hired to lead them to safety, Javier expects his trip to last two short weeks.

At nine years old, all Javier can imagine is rushing into his parents’ arms, snuggling in bed between them, and living under the same roof again. He cannot foresee the perilous boat trips, relentless desert treks, pointed guns, arrests and deceptions that await him; nor can he know that those two weeks will expand into two life-altering months alongside fellow migrants who will come to encircle him like an unexpected family.

A memoir as gripping as it is moving, Solito provides an immediate and intimate account not only of a treacherous and near-impossible journey, but also of the miraculous kindness and love delivered at the most unexpected moments. Solito is Javier Zamora’s story, but it’s also the story of millions of others who had no choice but to leave home.

©2022 Javier Zamora (P)2022 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“A gripping memoir… Solito is special for many reasons, but the main one is Zamora’s voice and the energy of his vivid retelling of his journey . . . And that makes it required reading.”—Gabino Iglesias, NPR

“Zamora . . . recounts in absorbing detail the dangerous, weekslong journey he took from El Salvador to reunite with his parents in the United States when he was just 9.”—The New York Times

“The magic of this book lies not only in the beguiling voice of young Javier, or the harrowing journey and immense bravery of the migrants, or in the built-in hero’s journey of this narrative. It’s hard to reconcile the fact that this book hasn’t always been with us. How can something so essential and fundamental to the American story not already be part of our canon?”—San Francisco Chronicle

A Young Immigrant Experience

This is one of the most moving immigrant crossing stories I've read. The fact that it's from his 9 year old point of view enhances the story.

Must read!

This is an amazing story. Javier does a great job of being descriptive of both physical things and of how he is feeling. Everyone should read or listen to this book. It really helps shine light on what immigrants face coming into the United States.

I HUNG ON to every word.. Amazing.

This book made me feel so many things as a Latina, a Mom and although I was born in the US, I knew it was hard to cross but I Never thought about children crossing like this without a parent. We watch the news but then go on about our lives and say " how sad". But this book made me cry, Javiercito so brave.I found myself getting angry at the parents sometimes thinking " how could you allow it?" Then thinking what choice did they have? I was mad at the Coyote. I felt all the things in this book. I hope to hear more from this author.

Amazing story of a nine year old boy

Wow! This was such a great story of a nine year old boy struggling to go from El Salvador to the United States. Through his writing, you really get to know all the people he encountered along the way, good and bad. I loved every page of this book.

Vividly brilliant

Not even gonna get into the politics that cause a person to have to do this. That being said, I had to keep reminding myself this was all happening to a 9 year old!! The whole thing is just surreal and then he was so little,my God!!!
The ppl he encountered along the way, some make you so angry like that lady on the bus.
I really really really hope this book reunites him with the 3 souls that became his family through all this.
Be ready to literally walk the desert with this kid, to smell and taste everything he did. The way this book is written makes you feel the dirt on your clothes.

Riveting

Solito illuminates the hardships of his migration experience as a child yet the beautiful kindness of strangers that supported him along the way.

Heartbreaking and Beautiful

Javier’s words are so beautifully descriptive as he tells his heartbreaking story of his journey from El Salvador to La USA. I could have been Javier. I know Javiers, and a Patricia and Chino. A beautiful story of innocence, humanity, and love.

A boys journey

An excellent biography of a young boys journey as he attempts to cross the border between Mexico and the United States.

Inside look at the journey into USA by young boy

This was an interesting read. The only part that might need improvement is the monotone voice of the reader.

Love this book

Tenacious and heart breaking. Well red and beautiful writing. Love the sprinkles of Spanish in it.