In this hybrid memoir, Alberto Ledesma wonders, At what point does a long-time undocumented immigrant become an American in the making? From undocumented little boy to "hyper documented" university professor, Ledesma recounts how even now, he sometimes finds himself reverting to the child he was, recalling his father's words: "Mijo, it doesn't matter how good you think your English is, la migra will still get you."

Exploring Ledesma's experiences from immigrant to student to academic, Diary of a Reluctant Dreamer presents a humorous, gritty, and multilayered portrait of undocumented immigrant life in urban America. Ledesma's vignettes about life in the midst of ongoing social trauma give voice to a generation that has long been silent about its struggles. Delving into the key moments of cultural transition throughout his childhood and adulthood--police at the back door waiting to deport his family, the ex-girlfriend who threatens to call INS and report him, and the interactions with law enforcement even after he is no longer undocumented--Ledesma, through his art and his words, provides a glimpse into the psychological and philosophical concerns of undocumented immigrant youth who struggle to pinpoint their identity and community.


Author: Alberto Ledesma
Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Mad Creek Books
Published: 09/08/2017
Series: Latinographix
Pages: 127
Weight: 0.85lbs
Size: 7.80h x 9.90w x 0.30d
ISBN: 9780814254400


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 07/15/2017
Publishers Weekly 07/24/2017
Kirkus Reviews Fall Preview 08/15/2017 pg. 29
Foreword 08/26/2017

About the Author
Alberto Ledesma holds a doctorate degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and is Graduate Diversity Director in Arts & Humanities at Berkeley.