Grab Hands and Run

by Frances Temple, Ed Little (Illustrations)

An El Salvadorian family flees political oppression in their homeland and takes a perilous journey north, through Mexico to America, where they hope they will find a better life. A ‘compelling, provocative, and exciting novel.’—V. ‘Details of the brutal realities in El Salvador are dexterously woven into the story of one family’s struggle to beat the odds.’—Publishers Weekly. ‘Not to be missed.’—H.

Genres: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Teen, Childrens

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Frances Temple grew up in Virginia, France, and Vietnam. About her third book she wrote, "The Ramsay Scallop is about our need for adventure and motion, for throwing in with strangers, trusting and listening. The story began to take form in northern Spain along pilgrim trails; was fed by histories, stories, letters, by the testimony of a fourteenthcentury shepherd, by the thoughts of today's pilgrims. Concerns echo across years-clean water, good talk, risks welcomed, the search for a peaceful heart. Traveling in Elenor's shoes, I found out how strongly the tradition of pilgrimage continues." Ms. Temple received many honors during her distinguished career. Her other critically acclaimed books for young people include: France Taste of Salt A Story of Modern Haiti, winner of the 1993 Jane Addams Children's Book Award; Grab hands and Run, cited by School Library journal as one of the Best Books of 1993; and Tonight, by Sea another novel set in Haiti.

Reviews

[Thomas Miles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grab Hands and Run by Frances Temple is the story of a family who is trying to escape the deadly civil war in El Salvador by making a dangerous journey to Canada. There are many close calls along the way. Will they make it or will they be sent back and possibly be killed?

Overall I thought it was interesting because it looks into one fictional family’s experience in a nonfiction event in the country. This family represents the experience of countless real families. However, the book seemed unrealistic at times because the family seemed to have too much good luck in their travels – too many close calls that ended in their favor.

One of my favorite features of the book is that it gave me a more empathetic perspective on immigration. The book makes you realize that for some immigrants crossing a boarder illegally is a life and death choice and so is that country’s decision to let the immigrant stay or to send them back.

This excerpt shows an example of how their lives are in the hands of officials from other countries:

“I remember hearing Carmen tell Rosa that she should expect to be sent back to El Salvador. Rosa has no proof of her burned-down house, no proof of her murdered husband and disappeared sons. Carmen says that, depending on what documentation the priest is able to get for us, there is a slim possibly of our being allowed to pass though the U.S. to Canada. But even if by some miracle Paloma and Romy and I get permission to enter the U.S., Rosa won’t.”

[Cookie · Rating 3 out of 5]

In today's climate where many people are against having the borders of America open, this storyshed light and understanding about a refugee's journey. It's sad to me that I don't know much about the politics in other countries - it's not necessarily info covered in school. However, the story was believable, sad, and inspiring.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loan books to a former student often by sending them home with her younger sister. Today her younger sister handed ME this book to borrow - a surprising turn of events. Usually I am the loaner, not the loanee.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Felipe (12) has lived a cautious life in El Salvador, where his play is often restricted to his yard or even his house. While at his grandparents' home in the country (Abuela and Chuy) he must swim far out into the lagoon to hide from soldiers who would take him for the army to fight the muchachos (guerillas who defend the peasants). Soon after returning home with his mother and sister, Romeliea, Felipe's fathe disappears and Felipe, Romy and Paloma must flee to Canada. The story tells of the journey, the perils of crossing borders and travelling without papers, of needing to blend in in places where the dialects are different, etc. When they finally get to the US, they are caught and taken to a detention center, where they wait, while a priest and a Salvadoran student (Carmen) help them prepare for ahearing to permit them to emigrate to Canada. Paloma, Romy and Jacinto are brave, resourceful children, and this is a wonderful multicultural book describing not only the reasons for immigration, but the difficulties in the journey and the difficulties adjusting to life in a new culture.

[Jeffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great! I think you can learn alot from this book like this because some people thing coming here is easy but YOU find out its not and your going to find out the hard way.Grab Hand And Run is good beacuse it gives you aloT of details So that CAN make YOU put pictures on your mind...... I recamend this book because the author did a great job by writing this story beacuse is teaches you about the lesson in life and how familes have to stick together no matter how difficult the problem is!!! so read this book you will be interesded you see MS.MCNEAL YOU SHOULD GIVE ME EXTRA CRIETID

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Life is dangerous in El Salvador for Felipe, a 12-year-old boy, because he is now eligible to be recruited by the army. While staying at his grandparents' house in the country, he must hide during the night when the army comes in their trucks. But when he and his sister Romy return to the city to be with their parents, they find things just as bad. They find a note that says "Leave and don't come back. If not, you die." So begins their journey to Canada, fraught with danger, greed, distrust, and betrayal. One thing remains constant though, their love for one another.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Felipe's father disappears, there is a possibility that he will never some back. Before he left, Felipe's father had told Felipe's mother, "If they come for me, you and the children grab hands and run. Go north, all the way to Canada." This book tracks their dangerous journey to Canada. Will they make it?

[Cws]

JAR4-Tem

[Sara]

its pretty good so far. im only on chapter three.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taught my 7th graders for hispanic immigration unit. Very suspenseful and kids loved it. Easy read.

[Mariam Camara · Rating 2 out of 5]

i didn't really like this book because it took to long to get to point and it wasn't really different from alot of books i read.

[Jenna Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book because I loved it because it had so much action!

[Isabel Eckert · Rating 2 out of 5]

wanst that good of a book.

[Miracle Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was my favorite book when i was in elementary school. so intriguing.

[Grecia Ramirez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, quick read. Trying to find good historical fiction on El Salvador. There's always truth in fiction. This was a great starting point.

[Sherrill Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

See Mary's review.

"Felipe shouldn't be listening, but he hears his father, Jacinto, say to Mama {Paloma] 'If they come for me, you and the children -- grab hands and run. Go north, all the way to Canada.'" Later Jacinto's motorbike is found abandoned.

And thus begins this little historical chronicle written about an El Salvatorian family newly arrived at Frances Temple's house enroute to Canada. A little simplistically written, a little too many coincidences, little pathos, but overall a good quick read.

There has been some things written lately about having only writers from certain countries write about their experiences in and from those countries; this is a well-written story written by a white women about people from another country. I doubt that this particular family is equipped to tell their story any better. Perhaps when Felipe is older . . .

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. It gave me a new perspective as to what immigration and escaping from dangerous situations can really be like. I think that this book is great for upper elementary classrooms in order to introduce this topic. Although the ending is bittersweet, it still made me smile in the end and had a lot of great moments. It's easy to put yourself in the narrator's shoes and is great at describing what he's feeling as he experiences the events in the book.

[Bella Morquecho · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grab Hands and Run explores powerful themes of survival, family loyalty, courage, and hope. The story follows Felipe and his sister Pilar as they flee El Salvador after their father disappears due to political violence. Although the plot is intense, the themes are presented in a way that helps young readers understand real-world struggles many families face.

[Hailey Munoz · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book explores courage, family, and survival during difficult times. I think book is aimed towards middle school or high school students father than elementary students as it talks about more serious things. I enjoyed the book because it talks about serious topics and diversity on how others have to feel their own home. I also enjoyed how it brings the family closer together.

[Thijs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for early teens to get invested in and teach them something of life. And how sometimes it's not as easy

[Candis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read for the struggles of today

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good YA historical fiction.

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't even know we owned this book