This is a story of Zitlally and her family who are undocumented citizens. Her father has been arrested for speeding and got deported back to Mexico. The coyote and her father were then kidnapped and held for ransom. She, while during this, makes a new friend with a dog in the forest near her trailer park. They name it Star and over time she realizes that Star is her fathers spiritual animal. Resau, L., & Blythe, G. (2010). Star in the forest. New York: Delacorte Press. Zitlally's family is undocumented immigrants from Mexico. When Zitally was a young girl in Mexico, her father told her many stories their Mexican heritage including stories about 'spirit animals'. Zitlally life is turned upside down when her father is stopped for speeding and deported back to Mexico. After paying coyotes to bring her father back across the border, he is kidnapped and held for ransom. Meanwhile, Zitlally finds a starving dog with a star on its head in a local junkyard. Along with new friend Crystal, the two nurse this dog back to health. The three become fast friends and often spend many hours a day together. Then one day after school Star is missing and the search begins. Zitlally and Crystal try everything they could think of to try and find Star. Zitlally is convinced that Star is the 'spirit animal' that her father told her about when she was a girl. She is convinced that Star and her father's fate are intertwined.
Good, quick read. Offers perspective on illegal immigration. Sweet story of friendship and family.
—cheese
Good for children who are dealing with a missing parent. Also has a lesson on friendship.
—shiftshap3r
Everyone who has an opinion on immigration from Mexico to the US should read this book!
—sbaskin14
It was a good book but I think it needed a little more action.
—Yadids
Short, but very, very entertaining.
—asherman
