The book of unknown Americans, by Cristina Henriquez

The story begins with the long journey of the Riveras, who have traveled north from Mexico to Delaware.  They are seeking special educational opportunities for their teenaged daughter, Maribel, who has been seriously injured in a fall.  There they live side by side in marginal housing with many other immigrants, all “Hispanic” in some way, but from different countries.  When Maribel catches the eye of Mayor Toro, from Panama, it sets in motion a tragic story.  Individual chapters focus on different characters while still moving the main story forward.  Interesting in part because of the depiction of so many diverse cultures, having primarily language in common.  Most of white America does see those from south of our border as all being the same.  286 pp.