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 Kirkus Reviews Best Nonfiction Book of the Century

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.

Goodness is all I can say

What an Odyssey!! I just kept thinking about turning my 9 yr old over to strangers for this epic journey. the courage to do that and also the kindness of strangers to care for him as their own. I cannot imagine the toll that stress took on his parents but all I think is that people make this journey every day...through all this treachery.
I don't think I breathed until his parents got him

An amazing story of a nine year old becoming a man

This amazing story told by the author himself is so touching.
I just finished reading it and still have tears rolling down my face.
Javier Zamora shares his experience during his 7-week journey from El Salvador to “la USA” with us.
He takes us along his forced journey to manhood and shares how a 9 year-old boy perceives and feels (with remaining innocence) all the craziness and brutality of migration around.
Thank you for your generosity and for such poetry behind each line of your book.
Gracias, Javierzito!

It touched my teacher soul

I have had many students who have stories of survival and strength. They are my inspiration to continue teaching as one of them might need me when they get to the USA.

Unlocking Undocumented Immigrant Realities

Absolutely captivating and engaging story that offers a profound understanding of the immigrant experience for those that, unfortunately, have to cross the border undocumented. I believe every American should read this book, and it should even be integrated into school curricula. The book effectively demystifies misconceptions about those who undergo similar journeys to Javier, shedding light on the challenges they face. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Javier for sharing his memoir and story with the world!

Touching

Reminded me of how my mother told me her story about trying to crosse from Sonora to California.