Middle School ; Hard Cover, Memoir, Diversity ; Highly Recommended

Once I Was You: Finding my Voice and Passing the Mic (adapted for Young Readers)

by Maria Hinofosa

This book is a powerful story that discusses the challenges of an immigrant Latina woman in the United States. Maria Hinojosa tells her story about the challenges of being an immigrant to the United States, arriving in this country in 1962. This book not only tells the story of Hinojosa finding herself as a Latina woman but also tells the story of finding out who she is, as a person. The story of Hinojosa’s life is compelling and draws you back time after time. The story of her feelings pull at your own self conscience  and make you feel as if you know the author personally. It included photographs of the author at various young ages before she became well-known in her career in journalism. I enjoyed how the book connected with my own feelings even if our experiences were different. I did not like how there was some Spanish in the book without translation, but it was a very small amount and did not take away from the story. Overall, I would highly recommend this book and give it a 5 out of 5 stars. [This review written by a Komachin staff member , Erica C. ]

This book is also available in a Spanish edition. (ISBN: 1665920882)