Return to Sender, Julia Alvarez. An award winning book about the relationship between Tyler, a young boy living in Vermont on a family farm, and Mari, a Mexican born girl "hiding" out on Tyler's farm. Tyler's father can't work the farm like he once did, due to an accident and Mari's dad and uncles help out as migrant workers. Mari's mother is gone with no contact from her in months. Through the eyes of Tyler and Mari, the story is told of the struggles of being an immigrant and not fitting in. Her younger sisters were both born in the United States; however, the threat of being separated is ever present. Both families come to care for one another and learn from one another. With the help of Tyler's saved money, he, Mari and his aunt and uncle travel to North Carolina, where they last saw their mother, to pay the "coyotes," or smugglers for her release. She endured horrible abuse while separated from her family. Tyler shows Mari the stars and Mari introduces Tyler to her culture.

A book worth reading to learn of the hardships of living in this country as an illegal immigrant, yet wanting a better life in the land of opportunity.