Young lovers Héctor and Lilia dreamed of a brighter future for their family in the United States. Héctor left Mexico first to secure work and housing. But when Lilia crossed the border with their infant daughter, Alejandra, mother and child were separated, and Alejandra disappeared.
Now, four years later, back in their sleepy hometown of Oaxaca, the couple enjoys a semblance of normal life, with a toddler son and another baby on the way. Then they receive an unexpected tip that might lead them to Alejandra, and both agree they must seize this chance, whatever the cost.
Working increasingly illegal jobs to earn money for his journey north, Héctor seeks more information about his long-absent daughter. Meanwhile, a bedridden Lilia awaits the birth of their third child, but cannot keep herself from reliving the worst mistakes of her past.
In luminous, compassionate prose, Michel Stone drops listeners into the whirlwind of the contemporary immigrant experience, where a marriage is strained to the breaking point by the consequences of wanting more for the next generation.
"Michel Stone writes with confident authority…Border Child is a cross-cultural tour de force."
"A gripping and politically savvy look at the human impact of current immigration policy and an honest examination of the perils facing desperate immigrants as they travel north."
"A poignant portrayal of the struggles and choices faced by those in difficult conditions."
"Stone is a great storyteller…There is never a dull moment in this lyrical, engrossing novel."
"Stone perceptively conveys the obstacles faced by this strong couple, who have given up on their American dream and want only to keep their family together."
"Unafraid to ask the hard questions, Border Child explores complex family dynamics with great imagination, insight, and empathy."
"Stone manages to deftly address a serious political and humanitarian issue without seeming heavy-handed. Well-written, expertly paced, and timely."
