I was saddened by how much I missed in my own city in the last 10 years, but I'm grateful to get "up to speed". I learned a lot, I thought a lot, and am still thinking. The book brings up so many issues to think about that don't have black and white answers. I admire Helen Thorpe for her writing style, desire to try to be objective while admitting her own bias, and her courage.

Reveals the complexities of illegal immigrants in the US. Helen Thorpe did a great job explaining the struggles and challenges of illegals in this country, especially the children who are raised in the US without papers. The US cannot afford to give them all amnestiy, but also cannot afford to close the borders because so many industries rely on their labor.

I admired the way Helen Thorpe put a human face (faces, actually) on the illegal immigration debate. There were some heart-wrenching moments as she followed the four girls through their high school and college journey. Thorpe skillfully presents the various sides of the immigration debate and I was left without answers but with a greater appreciation of the issue and the human factors involved.