Where I Belong by Marcia Argueta Mickelson
| High school senior Milagros Vargas' life has not been easy. But she has learned to cope, caring for her three younger siblings while her immigrant mother works long hours as a housekeeper, cook, and nanny for the Wheelers, prominent members of the Corpus Christi social elite. In addition to family responsibilities, Millie has maintained a stellar academic record, earning a full scholarship to Stanford. She has learned to keep a low profile. Her anonymity evaporates when Mr. Wheeler, in a bid for a congressional seat, reveals during a campaign speech that his housekeeper's daughter fled Guatemala with her parents, sought asylum, attained U.S. citizenship and is now an immigrant success story. Milagros becomes the subject of news reports and internet trolls. Quiet, never-make-waves Millie is thrust into the spotlight, a position she never wanted. Media coverage as well as threats directed at her and her family intensify. Eventually, she must decide if she will remain silent or speak out. |  |
A strength of Mickelson's storytelling can be found in the details of Millie's personal interactions with her widowed mother whom she adores and does not want to disappoint, a younger sister who has to go to the bathroom at an inconvenient time, and the handsome Charlie Wheeler who suddenly seems interested in her.
Where I Belong is a richly layered narrative that explores headline-grabbing issues and the dynamics of personal relationships.
Audio copy accessed via Hoopla.
Pub date: September 7, 2021 Publisher: Carolrhoda Lab ISBN: 978-1541597976
RSS Feed
