Book #36- Into the Beautiful North by Luis Urrea. All the men have left for the North. Narcos and banditos have taken over a small Mexican town. The mayor, Tia Irma, has sent four teenage girls and Tacho, a gay restaurant owner, on a quest to the United States to bring back seven policemen or soldiers to protect the town. This story includes the journey to the Tijuana border, the horrific attempts to cross the border, the trials and tribulations of being an illegal alien, and the eye-opening realities of kids who know about the US from watching TV and the movies. They are on an honorable mission, but they have no idea what it will entail. The final journey is to Kankakee to find one of the girl's father.

This was a really interesting story with modern details sort of based on "The Magnificient Seven". Most of the stories I have read about Mexico are historical fiction. I had some trouble with the Spanish and lingo ( I took French in college). I really enjoyed the book since it is very different from what I am use to reading. Reviews say his, The Hummingbird's Daughter, was much better. I'll have to find out.