Just Like Us: The True Story of Four Mexican Girls Coming of Age in America

Description

This book offers a powerful account of four young Mexican women coming of age in Denver, two of whom have legal documentation, two of whom who don't, and the challenges they face as they attempt to pursue the American dream. Helen Thorpe tells the story of four high school students whose parents entered this country illegally from Mexico. All four of the girls have grown up in the United States, and all four want to live the American dream. As the girls attempt to make it into college, they discover that only the legal pair see a clear path forward. Their friendships start to divide along lines of immigration status.;Prom night -- Question mark -- Instantaneous rate of change -- Rise and fall -- Life's mighty question -- American woman -- Sympathy -- Crash test dummy -- Liar, liar, liar -- Breaking in -- Three tens and a nine -- Bad papers -- Talk radio -- Many dwelling places -- Salon Ocampo -- Black market -- Comal -- Manhunt -- Social inequality -- The concept of citizenship -- Sorority girls -- Friendly banter -- Auto theft -- Machismo -- Liberación -- Physical evidence -- Portrait of a pariah -- Yo pago impuestos -- Live from the border -- Caution -- Headwaters -- Tancredoland -- Guilty as charged -- Well-ordered society -- Blessing -- Surprise appearance -- Gun show -- Laugh now, cry later.