Land of the Cranes

Fourth-grade student Betita and her family are undocumented immigrants living in California, a supposed sanctuary state, but raids by ICE are increasing and when Betita’s father is taken and deported to Mexico, it leaves Betita and her mom in turmoil. Her mom makes a wrong turn near the border and they are put in a gruesome detention centre where Betita finds sanctuary in writing poetry and the community spirit of detainees. This timely novel-in-verse details the harsh realities of immigration, deportation, zero-tolerance policies, and racism, and the indignity, inhumanity, and suffering in the centers. Teachers are advised to front load teaching and caution students about the sensitive content.