Sonia Nazario, author of Enrique’s Journey

Last week, we were excited to announce this year’s Go Big Read selection, Enrique’s Journey, by Sonia Nazario.

Nazario was born right here in Madison, Wisconsin, but has lived much of her life in Kansas City, as well as in Argentina. After graduating from Williams College in Massachusetts, she began her career as a social reporter, exploring societal issues such as immigration, drug abuse, and hunger. Many of her publications have led to societal change, such as a 1994 increase in federally funded breakfasts at public schools.

The story of Enrique’s journey, which is now a bestselling book, was originally published in 2003 as a Los Angeles Times piece, for which Nazario received many awards, including a Pulitzer Prize. The story also inspired an HBO documentary, titled “Which Way Home.” Nazario herself was inspired to write Enrique’s Journey after learning that her housekeeper, Carmen, had left four children behind in Guatemala, one of whom traveled to the United States alone to find her. Nazario became determined to trace this path herself and to find other children who had done the same.

Nazario’s book, and her own firsthand account of riding the “train of death” from Honduras to the United States, gives a perspective on the illegal immigration debate that is seldom discussed in the popular media.

We’re looking forward to seeing what kind of discussion it brings to UW Madison, and hope you’ll join us for the third year of Go Big Read!