Barbara (NOT RECEIVING NOTIFICATIONS!)'s Reviews > Lucky Boy

In writing this novel, author Shanthi Sekaram was inspired by a news report of an undocumented Guatemalan woman who was attempting to regain custody of her son who was being adopted by his foster parents. She was interested in the motivations of both parties; she wanted to understand both parties.

Sekaram is a first generation American whose parents were fortunate to find a workable way to live legally in the USA. The plight of undocumented immigrants are an interest to her; she sees her life as lucky in that her parents possessed skills and were from a country that the USA prefer. The politics of undocumented immigrants are an important issue to her.

In this story, a young Mexican girl, Soli, goes through horrendous conditions to get illegally into the United States. Her destination is Berkley, CA because she has a cousin who is documented and successfully living there. Once in Berkley, Soli realizes she’s pregnant. The reader learns of the sad health resources that are available to immigrants. Soli’s life as an undocumented worker is exhausting. Soon after her baby boy is a year old, Soli unwittingly gets involved in a traffic incident that exposes her to the authorities. Her son is taken away from her, placed in social services, as she is remanded to immigrant detention.

Kavya and Rishi are first generation Americans whose parents emigrated from India. After undergoing heart wrenching fertility issues, they decide to adopt a child. Once they learn the cost of a private adoption, they realize they can’t afford it after the expensive fertility treatments. They decide to go through the foster care system, and become foster parents interested in adopting. Soli’s son becomes their ward. They fall immediately in love with the boy.

Sekaran does a fabulous job creating endearing characters. The reader sees both sides of the issue; it’s heart breaking. Sekaran also illuminates the horrors that many undocumented immigrants go through to get to the USA. She shows how these people just want to work and live their lives in peace. She also studied the laws that govern these children of undocumented workers. In general, the judge that resides the case generally determines the rights of the undocumented.

I highly recommend this timely novel as one that exemplifies immigrations issues, especially for those immigrants who want to be part of the country, and the difficulties posed to them to be documented. The story also shows the emotional issues of those foster parents who deeply love their children under their care and believe they are the best choice for the welfare of the child/children. This would be a fabulous book club read.