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Solito  By  cover art

Solito

By: Javier Zamora
Narrated by: Javier Zamora
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Publisher's summary

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

Featured Article: The Best Latino Audiobooks to Celebrate Latino & Hispanic Heritage Month


Celebrate Latino & Hispanic Heritage Month with our list of incredible audiobooks from Latino authors. These bestsellers, hidden gems, and stand-out stories celebrate the many voices, places and traditions that make Latino and Hispanic culture. From Miami to Cuba, New York City to Mexico, these varied stories paint a beautiful picture of what it means to be Hispanic - no matter where you live.

What listeners say about Solito

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Captivating and heartfelt!

So many of us, in fact most of us started as an immigrant. I am the first generation born on American soil on my father’s side. The heart and soul of this memoir is so meaningful. Would it not be wise that all politicians know Xavier’s story? It is believed, truth comes from the mouth of babes. I feel blessed to have discovered this story! Thank you to Jenna Bush for the recommendation.

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amazing

it had me anxious, waiting to see what happened to Javiersito. it also had me in tears. Great story

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Beautiful Story

This is happening as we speak. I was so moved by his spirit and faith in family. A truly beautiful story we must learn from.

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Wow!

Ok I cried at the end! What a book, what a story!

I hope you found your friends.

G

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Amazing Story

This book is good. I wish there had been a little less description, and the audiobook was read faster. I did speed it up, it seemed too slow to me. I hope this story is made into a limited series. I would like it to include what happened to him after he was reunited with his parents. His journey is a story every American should know. I also hope the author is reunited with the people who took care of him on the journey.

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HOW? WHY?

Awesome Book! Thanks tik tok influencesrs for suggestions. It pulled at my mama and Wela heart strings. I couldn't help picture my 10 yr old grandson Zeke alone. Who this yr is walking home from school by himself. and it scars to death. Just How, But more importantly still in 2022 Why?

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Riveting

Riveting, poetic, impossibile to stop listening, and so consuming that it was impossible to do anything but listen. Powerful narration of his incredible story by Javier Zamora.

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Moving and courageous

This story is told with such well worded drama and pathos. I fell in love with characters. I feel anger towards my government for making so many people suffer this way but mostly I feel awe and love the journey of this young boy. The author-reader does the different voices very well. I just wish he didn’t halt so much between phrases but I sped it up a little. I know so much more about the incredible strength of all the brave people who try and hopefully succeed to cross the border from Mexico. And I’m grateful that I never had to suffer this way.

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Recognizing the Suffering of Migrants

This book is an amazing recounting of a boys journey to reach his parents who migrated illegally into the United States and then sent for him with the help of coyotes. His bravery and trust of strangers is notable.

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Incredible Story

This was an incredible read that illustrates the treacherous journey that many people have to go through. I am happy that I chose to read this book and that Javier was brave enough to share his story. Stories like this further ignite the passion in fighting for a more just world. It is a story that everyone can take something away from. Javier's narrating was also great!

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