The Secret Side of Empty

Review of: The Secret Side of Empty by Maria E. Andreu
Release date: March 11th 2014
Pages: 336
Publisher: Running Press Kids
Received for review: Finished copy from publisher
Overall grade: A

MT seems like your average American teenager but she has been hiding a big secret from everyone she knows besides her family. Her name is Monserrat Thalia and she is an illegal immigrant; the no social security number, undocumented type of illegal immigrant. Even her best friend since grade school doesn't know. Now MT is almost 18 and she's worried about what will happen to her. What is the point in getting good grades in school anymore if there is no possible way for her to go to college? She can't do anything with her life in fear of being found out she is illegal and then being deported, or even worse getting her family deported along with her. 

To make things worse her father is getting more and more abusive towards MT and she is afraid he will soon go after her mother and little brother as well. The only bright side in her life is her best friend, Chelsea and the new guy in her life. But soon they will both be going off to college and then what will MT do?

This was an incredibly emotional read that brings up the topics of being an illegal immigrant, domestic violence, and suicide. If you aren't ready to shed at least a couple of tears then don't try to read it until you are. It is a definite page turner and because of this I finished it in two days. From the beginning of the story you can tell that MT is a troubled young girl and she feels there is nothing she can do about her situation. What made this story even more touching to me was the fact that the author, Maria Andreu, based the story off of her own life living in America as an illegal immigrant. After reading this book I can imagine that being an illegal is a very intense and scary situation. It was a touching story that pulls at your heart strings. I won't be forgetting about it anytime soon. I would definitely check this book out if what you've read so far seems interesting. It's an emotional read that will have you turning the page until you've finished!