Chapters 1-5
Miguel awakens the day of his fifteenth birthday in the dusty Mexican town of San Jacinto to find an envelope containing a long-awaited letter from his father, Domingo. After six years, eleven months, and twelve days of waiting, the day has finally come for Miguel to rejoin his parents in California. The letter instructs Miguel to speak to Don Clemente, an affluent figure in the community known to help people secure passage across the border...for a cost. As Miguel awaits Don Clemente's return from the capital, he comes to terms with the reality of his impending departure from the only home he has ever known, as he struggles to find the words to tell his sister, Elena, that he will be leaving, while she must wait her turn to follow her family north.
He passes the time waiting for Don Clemente with his best friends, Chuy and Lalo, who treat his news of his coming departure as they have always treated past-such unfulfilled promises of a reunion from Miguel's father. Finally mustering the courage to tell Elena, Miguel treats her to ice cream at a local park, only to discover that Elena is already aware of the news that Miguel will be leaving. Their mother has written to Elena to confirm the decision that Miguel will go first, until they can afford to send for her. The injustice of her situation frustrates Elena.
Finally, Don Clemente returns and provides Miguel with everything he'll need to make the journey north and across the border. All the arrangements have been made, and it is now up to Miguel to follow Don Clemente's instructions to the letter, but their conversation reveals new information about Miguel's father and his long wait to be sent for. Don Clemente confides in Miguel that his father could have called at any time and arranged for his children to rejoin him (Don Clemente is in debt to Domingo for saving him from a fire that claimed the life of his wife and daughter), but Domingo's pride has kept him from asking for a handout. The fact angers Miguel and he struggles to forgive his father.
He passes the time waiting for Don Clemente with his best friends, Chuy and Lalo, who treat his news of his coming departure as they have always treated past-such unfulfilled promises of a reunion from Miguel's father. Finally mustering the courage to tell Elena, Miguel treats her to ice cream at a local park, only to discover that Elena is already aware of the news that Miguel will be leaving. Their mother has written to Elena to confirm the decision that Miguel will go first, until they can afford to send for her. The injustice of her situation frustrates Elena.
Finally, Don Clemente returns and provides Miguel with everything he'll need to make the journey north and across the border. All the arrangements have been made, and it is now up to Miguel to follow Don Clemente's instructions to the letter, but their conversation reveals new information about Miguel's father and his long wait to be sent for. Don Clemente confides in Miguel that his father could have called at any time and arranged for his children to rejoin him (Don Clemente is in debt to Domingo for saving him from a fire that claimed the life of his wife and daughter), but Domingo's pride has kept him from asking for a handout. The fact angers Miguel and he struggles to forgive his father.
Chapters 6-10
Miguel confronts his grandmother about his father's pride delaying their reunion before getting around to chores around their ranchito that he had been putting off. The poor quality of his work and his apparent incompetence with farming and animal raising lead him to conclude that he no longer belongs in San Jacinto and is destined for something else. At Abuelita's request, Miguel begins preparations for a sending away party he'd rather not have. Miguel and Elena slaughter a goat for the party (something else Miguel is not very good at), as the weight of his parents' decision to send for only Miguel weighs heavily on the them both.
Friends and neighbors attend Miguel's sending away party, and the mood shifts from concern for his dangerous journey to humor over familiar folktales and legends of ghosts and the Chupacabra. Miguel concludes that these lighter stories are an effort to delve into the darker stories of family members and friends lost during their attempt at crossing la linea. Lalo and Chuy each part with a cherished possession as a gift to their friend before the three make a pact to meet back in San Jacinto in 10 year's time, no matter where life takes them. Miguel departs the next day, after a tearful farewell to his grandmother, without waking Elena.
Friends and neighbors attend Miguel's sending away party, and the mood shifts from concern for his dangerous journey to humor over familiar folktales and legends of ghosts and the Chupacabra. Miguel concludes that these lighter stories are an effort to delve into the darker stories of family members and friends lost during their attempt at crossing la linea. Lalo and Chuy each part with a cherished possession as a gift to their friend before the three make a pact to meet back in San Jacinto in 10 year's time, no matter where life takes them. Miguel departs the next day, after a tearful farewell to his grandmother, without waking Elena.
Chapters 11-15
Miguel makes the three hour walk to the city to catch the next bus north. He observes the people boarding the bus after taking his own seat, wondering if any of them are making the same trip across the border. A talkative man from El Salvador named Javier sits beside him and confides that he is making another attempt at crossing. Javier proposes that they travel together, but Miguel feels he is better off sticking to Don Clemente's plan. Not far down the line, though, the bus is stopped for a "routine check" by the federal police (out to take what little money the passengers carry as a bribe to let them continue). During the inspection, the captain of the federales, Capitan Morales, reveals that one of the passengers is, in fact, Elena in disguise. The encounter ends when a passenger calls Morales a coward, and the whole lot of them are boarded onto a bus taking them south to the country of Guatemala as illegal immigrants in Mexico.
On the road to Mexico's southern border with Guatemala, Javier reassures Miguel that this is only a minor setback, and that they will be back across the border into Mexico in no time. An argument between Miguel and Elena forces Capitan Morales out of his seat, but he takes a comical spill when the bus lurches forward. The captain plays of the shameful fall and his pants falling off while inspecting his gun, but Javier intends to find out just how stupid Morales really is. At the border checkpoint, the transport bus comes to a stop. As the federales and the Guatemalan officials quarrel over paperwork, Javier sets off his diversion, faking a seizure. The distraction gives the rest of the group a chance to escape as shots from Morales' gun ring out behind them.
With the federales still after them, Miguel and Elena make a run for the center of the city and blend in with the crowds. Miguel argues with Elena over how childish her whole plan was and how it has set his own of course. They'll be going back to San Jacinto, where Miguel will speak to Don Clemente again and start over. They buy two bus tickets home before settling in for the night under a portico at the edge of the market among a crowd of other homeless people.
On the road to Mexico's southern border with Guatemala, Javier reassures Miguel that this is only a minor setback, and that they will be back across the border into Mexico in no time. An argument between Miguel and Elena forces Capitan Morales out of his seat, but he takes a comical spill when the bus lurches forward. The captain plays of the shameful fall and his pants falling off while inspecting his gun, but Javier intends to find out just how stupid Morales really is. At the border checkpoint, the transport bus comes to a stop. As the federales and the Guatemalan officials quarrel over paperwork, Javier sets off his diversion, faking a seizure. The distraction gives the rest of the group a chance to escape as shots from Morales' gun ring out behind them.
With the federales still after them, Miguel and Elena make a run for the center of the city and blend in with the crowds. Miguel argues with Elena over how childish her whole plan was and how it has set his own of course. They'll be going back to San Jacinto, where Miguel will speak to Don Clemente again and start over. They buy two bus tickets home before settling in for the night under a portico at the edge of the market among a crowd of other homeless people.
Chapters 16-20
On their first night far from home, Miguel and Elena are robbed at gunpoint. Miguel is forced to give up their money and their tickets home so no harm will come to Elena. With their plans for a quick return to San Jacinto ruined, Miguel and Elena walk through the streets of the city, looking like a pair of fugitives. Elena pulls Miguel back to the spot where they had first hidden from Morales and reveals that the lining of her purse, left behind by the thieves contains the rest of the money she had borrowed from Don Clemente's snotty nephew, Juanito.
Miguel decides it is time to call their parents and draw up a new plan. After failing to get a hold of their parents, they call Don Clemente, only to discover from Juanito that Don Clemente has died in a freak car accident. With any chance of a safe return to San Jacinto now gone, Miguel must come up with a new plan.
Miguel and Elena make their way to the train yard, looking for the mata gente (the people killer), a train running from South to North, right up to the border. There they reunite with Javier, who explains how Morales locked him up in jail for the night before dumping him in Guatemala, only to cross back again. The three spend their wait practicing their run to board the train by taking hold of the ladders running down its side. It is a risky plan; many have lost limbs and their life to the mata gente. One false move could spell their doom, but it is there only chance.
After successfully boarding the train, Javier secures Miguel and Elena, spending every waking moment vigilant for the many dangers they might yet encounter, including several run-ins with la migra (immigration). Along the way, they come across other people desperate to board. Many don't make it. With the last of their food and water gone, and after enduring days of sleeplessness and the trains diesel exhaust, they pass through a town where kind and caring people through food, water, and clothing onto the passing train.
Miguel decides it is time to call their parents and draw up a new plan. After failing to get a hold of their parents, they call Don Clemente, only to discover from Juanito that Don Clemente has died in a freak car accident. With any chance of a safe return to San Jacinto now gone, Miguel must come up with a new plan.
Miguel and Elena make their way to the train yard, looking for the mata gente (the people killer), a train running from South to North, right up to the border. There they reunite with Javier, who explains how Morales locked him up in jail for the night before dumping him in Guatemala, only to cross back again. The three spend their wait practicing their run to board the train by taking hold of the ladders running down its side. It is a risky plan; many have lost limbs and their life to the mata gente. One false move could spell their doom, but it is there only chance.
After successfully boarding the train, Javier secures Miguel and Elena, spending every waking moment vigilant for the many dangers they might yet encounter, including several run-ins with la migra (immigration). Along the way, they come across other people desperate to board. Many don't make it. With the last of their food and water gone, and after enduring days of sleeplessness and the trains diesel exhaust, they pass through a town where kind and caring people through food, water, and clothing onto the passing train.
Chapters 21-25
Javi saves Miguel and Elena from a train gang, but his luck runs out when the el mata gente makes another unexpected stop and is surrounded by soldiers tasked with capturing illegal immigrants. As the three jump from the train to make a run for it, Javi's ankle is hurt badly, and he urges Miguel and Elena to go on without him. Elena refuses to leave him, looking to Javi as her guardian and protector as he had already proven himself to be.
While Miguel goes off to find water, Elena, using the money sewn into the side of her wallet, arranges for a ride to the border on in the back of a truck. Miguel confronts her about her use of money they would need to hire a coyote to get them across the border, but Elena defies him. Miguel lashes back by revealing the secret that their parents could have arranged their reunion through Don Clemente at anytime but had refused to. The news hurts Elena as much as it did Miguel.
After making up his mind to set off on his own and hop on the next train, Miguel spends the night near the train tracks. Late into the night, he is awoken by the sound of rustling, and believes to see Elena at the edge of the cornfield, looking for him, but she doesn't see him. Miguel admits that he cannot see himself crossing la linea alone. When morning breaks, he makes a run for the road just in time to catch the truck Elena had arranged for. Miguel realizes that the worst part of their journey is yet to come.
Their long drive brings them to a border town and to a mercado (a market) where Miguel has instructions to ask for "El Plomero" (the plumber). The man at the boot stall from Miguel's instructions test Miguel to confirm that he has, in fact, been sent by Don Clemente. When he tries to trick Miguel by saying he has just spoken with Don Clemente that morning, Miguel confirms the legitimacy of his claim by asserting that Don Clemente is dead, most likely killed by Juanito. El Plomero is loyal to Don Clemente and agrees to help Miguel, Elena, and Javi.
Returning to El Plomero's stall at three, as instructed, the three as ushered to the back of the stall, where a secret door reveals a storage room stockpiled with survival gear. The group gears up for their dangerous walk across the desert. After a final opportunity to turn back and head home, the three insist on finishing what they started. El Plomero, who reveals his name to be Moises (Moses), drives them to a new route further west, longer and more hazardous than the usual route to the east, but under less surveillance. The group must get moving fast. Moises makes one thing clear: he will wait for no one.
While Miguel goes off to find water, Elena, using the money sewn into the side of her wallet, arranges for a ride to the border on in the back of a truck. Miguel confronts her about her use of money they would need to hire a coyote to get them across the border, but Elena defies him. Miguel lashes back by revealing the secret that their parents could have arranged their reunion through Don Clemente at anytime but had refused to. The news hurts Elena as much as it did Miguel.
After making up his mind to set off on his own and hop on the next train, Miguel spends the night near the train tracks. Late into the night, he is awoken by the sound of rustling, and believes to see Elena at the edge of the cornfield, looking for him, but she doesn't see him. Miguel admits that he cannot see himself crossing la linea alone. When morning breaks, he makes a run for the road just in time to catch the truck Elena had arranged for. Miguel realizes that the worst part of their journey is yet to come.
Their long drive brings them to a border town and to a mercado (a market) where Miguel has instructions to ask for "El Plomero" (the plumber). The man at the boot stall from Miguel's instructions test Miguel to confirm that he has, in fact, been sent by Don Clemente. When he tries to trick Miguel by saying he has just spoken with Don Clemente that morning, Miguel confirms the legitimacy of his claim by asserting that Don Clemente is dead, most likely killed by Juanito. El Plomero is loyal to Don Clemente and agrees to help Miguel, Elena, and Javi.
Returning to El Plomero's stall at three, as instructed, the three as ushered to the back of the stall, where a secret door reveals a storage room stockpiled with survival gear. The group gears up for their dangerous walk across the desert. After a final opportunity to turn back and head home, the three insist on finishing what they started. El Plomero, who reveals his name to be Moises (Moses), drives them to a new route further west, longer and more hazardous than the usual route to the east, but under less surveillance. The group must get moving fast. Moises makes one thing clear: he will wait for no one.
Chapters 26-30
A long and arduous walk through the desert, rationing their food and water, brings the group to a rest point where Moises takes Javi aside. It is clear by their body language that their conversation is a tense one, but when they return to the group, Javi informs Miguel and Elena that they have made it. They are finally across la linea. The group laughs as the reality of their situation sinks in. They have crossed the border, but they are still in the middle of nowhere.
After settling in for the hottest period of the day, just when there luck has seemed to take a turn for the better, Miguel is wakened by the urgent sound of Moises' voice. Moises has heard something and heads off to investigate. Moments later, a shot rings out. Militiamen have shot and captured Moises. The shot that pierced through his arm also pierced through the pack he was carrying and through Elena's water. The group is on their own again.
With Moises gone, Miguel leads the group in the direction of the mountain Moises indicated to Javi. The three struggle through the desert heat and the lack of water. A brief storm brings some welcome relief from the heat, but it passes to soon for water to gather. Despite their progress, the mountain they are headed for does not appear to be closer. Javi, looking weathered and ill, tells Elena that Miguel is in charge, and that he will be right behind them, every step of the way. Nearly out of water, the group continues their march across the desert, passing through a sandstorm before discovering the bodies of a woman and her child, who Javi, in a state of delusion, mistakes for his own son and daughter.
The storm becomes so intense, that the group is forced to stop and take shelter under their tarps. In the middle of the sandstorm and in the middle of the night, Miguel finally slips into sleep with Elena beside him and Javi not far from them, but when the storm subsides and they unearth themselves, Miguel and Elena discover that Javi is missing. No. He chose to leave, leaving behind the water he should have been drinking the day before. With the last of this water gone and with the last of their strength, Miguel and Elena continue on, eventually reaching the highway Moises had spoken of.
After settling in for the hottest period of the day, just when there luck has seemed to take a turn for the better, Miguel is wakened by the urgent sound of Moises' voice. Moises has heard something and heads off to investigate. Moments later, a shot rings out. Militiamen have shot and captured Moises. The shot that pierced through his arm also pierced through the pack he was carrying and through Elena's water. The group is on their own again.
With Moises gone, Miguel leads the group in the direction of the mountain Moises indicated to Javi. The three struggle through the desert heat and the lack of water. A brief storm brings some welcome relief from the heat, but it passes to soon for water to gather. Despite their progress, the mountain they are headed for does not appear to be closer. Javi, looking weathered and ill, tells Elena that Miguel is in charge, and that he will be right behind them, every step of the way. Nearly out of water, the group continues their march across the desert, passing through a sandstorm before discovering the bodies of a woman and her child, who Javi, in a state of delusion, mistakes for his own son and daughter.
The storm becomes so intense, that the group is forced to stop and take shelter under their tarps. In the middle of the sandstorm and in the middle of the night, Miguel finally slips into sleep with Elena beside him and Javi not far from them, but when the storm subsides and they unearth themselves, Miguel and Elena discover that Javi is missing. No. He chose to leave, leaving behind the water he should have been drinking the day before. With the last of this water gone and with the last of their strength, Miguel and Elena continue on, eventually reaching the highway Moises had spoken of.
The Phone Call
Ten years later, Miguel, now long-since reunited with his parents and graduated from college, calls Elena for their annual phone call. Elena returned to San Jacinto right after completing high school. She is now married to Chuy, they have a son together, Miguel Javier Moises, and her organic produce and goat cheese business is doing well. It is the anniversary of their departure from San Jacinto, the day Miguel agreed to reunite with Chuy and Lalo, and nine years since Abuelita passed away of a heart attack. A package Miguel sent Elena failed to include Abuelita's medallion of la Virgen the Guadalupe. Miguel tells her he will hang onto it until the day he is able to return to San Jacinto and return freely. Their conversation ends without either saying goodbye to the other. They never say goodbye. As Miguel prepares to go for a walk, he anticipates his call to his father. He plans to tell him what he plans to do with his life, of the next linea he will be crossing, and the one after that.