Libertad lives in poverty in Guatemala with his Mami and his younger brother Julio. They live in the town dump, scavenging for stuff to sell so they can buy food. Eventually Libertad and Julio set off for America so they can find their Papi and live in freedom.

This book has a unique perspective and tells an important story, but I found the boys' passage to the United States too easy to be believable. An author's note provides some information about the thousands of children who undertake similar journeys each year. For a tale of border crossing, I prefer Ann Jaramillo's LA LINEA.