Hardcover | 400 pages

For readers ofThere Therebut with the emotional punch ofThe Nightingale,American Dirtis a rare exploration into the inner hearts of people willing to sacrifice everything for a glimmer of hope.

If its only a better life you seek, seek it elsewhere…This path is only for people who have no choice, no other option, only violence and misery behind you. And your journey will grow even more treacherous from here. Everything is working against you. American Dirt

Lydia Quixano Perez lives in the Mexican city of Acapulco. She runs a bookstore. She has a son, Luca, the love of her life, and a wonderful husband who is a journalist. And while there are cracks beginning to show in Acapulco because of the drug cartels, her life is, by and large, fairly comfortable.

Even though she knows theyll never sell, Lydia stocks some of her all-time favorite books in her store. And then one day a man enters the shop to browse and comes up to the register with four books he would like to buytwo of them her favorites. Javier is erudite. He is charming. And, unbeknownst to Lydia, he is thejefeof the newest drug cartel that has gruesomely taken over the city. When Lydias husbands tell-all profile of Javier is published, none of their lives will ever be the same.

Forced to flee, Lydia and eight-year-old Luca soon find themselves miles and worlds away from their comfortable middle-class existence. Instantly transformed into migrants, Lydia and Luca ridela bestiatrains that make their way north toward America, which is the only place Javiers reach doesnt extend. As they join the thousands of people trying to reach American dirt, Lydia soon sees that everyone is running from something. But what exactly are they running to?

American Dirtwill leave readers utterly changed when they finish reading it. It is a page-turner, it is a literary achievement, it is filled with poignancy, drama, and humanity on every page. It is one of the most important books for our times.