Iron River

By Daniel Acosta
Paperback: $11.95

An acclaimed YA debut novel that serves as a great alternative or companion to To Kill a Mockingbird–exploring the dynamics of systemic racism in the 1950s through the eyes of a Latino boy coming of age.

Description

It’s 1958, and a river runs through 12-year-old Manny’s life–the railroad that passes along his barrio in San Gabriel, just ten miles east of L.A. It used to be a playground where he could while away time with his friends, throwing rocks at passing trains. Until they find the body of a man they might’ve accidentally killed with their games. The crooked cop they confess to is just glad to have something to hold against them. He’s always been happy to terrorize the whole neighborhood for not being white.

So now Manny is tormented by a guilty conscience, and the certainty that police will bang on his front door any day. His family is already struggling with the return of Uncle Rudy, a war-worn man just out from jail. Manny’s dad keeps warning him to stay away from Rudy, that he’s trouble, but he might have already screwed up his life all on his own.

About the Creators

Daniel Acosta

Daniel Gilbert Acosta was born and grew up in California. After a half year as a novice in the Claretian order, Daniel left the seminary and enrolled at California State University, Los Angeles. Following college, Daniel was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was discharged from the Army in 1972 and returned to CSULA to earn his teaching credential. Daniel earned a Master's Degree from CSULA and spent thirty-four years teaching English and creative writing at Mark Keppel High School in Alhambra, California. A former member of the L.A. Barrio Writer's Workshop, Daniel retired from teaching in 2007 and return to his writing. His fiction has appeared in national print and digital periodicals. Iron River is his first novel. Daniel is the father of four, and he and his wife, Linda, live in Rosemead, California. You can find more information about him and Iron River at ironrivernovel.com

Awards

  • Best YA Historical Fiction

    Kirkus Reviews

  • Southwest Book Awards

    Border Regional Library Association

Reviews

  • * "A dense story with rich associative leaps, the novel will prompt discussions about race, class, sexuality, and gender."

    - Kirkus Reviews
  • * "Detailed descriptions of daily life and family members capture the essence of Manny's heritage in a time period and setting greatly impacted by institutionalized racism, drugs, gangs, and the lingering trauma of violence experienced by military war veterans. . . An essential title for any library."

    - School Library Journal
  • "The many layers of this beautifully built-up picture of an intelligent, goofy young kid who's well aware of his surroundings and faces them head-on is a brilliant debut of a promising young writer. Iron River will prompt discussions of race, class, culture, and teenage sexuality, and resonate with middle-grade through high school readers. It's highly recommended."

    - De Colores: The Raza Experience in Books for Children
  • "A powerful debut."

    - Booklist

Paperback

  • ISBN 9781941026946
  • Price $11.95
  • Publication Date Nov 13, 2018
  • Trim Size 9 × 6 in
  • Weight 0.6875 lbs
  • Page Count 224
  • Hardcover

  • ISBN 9781941026939
  • Price $19.95
  • Publication Date Nov 13, 2018
  • Trim Size 9 × 6 in
  • Weight 1 lbs
  • Page Count 224
  • Interests

  • Imprint Cinco Puntos Press
  • Audience Young Adult
  • BISAC Category 1 YAF / Social Themes / Violence
  • BISAC Category 2 YAF / Boys & Men
  • BISAC Category 3 YAF / People & Places / United States / Hispanic & Latino
  • Themes Discrimination, Fiction, Latinx / Latino / Hispanic, Realistic Fiction, Spanish, Teen Interest, YA interest
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 14 - 18
  • Grade Range Grades 9 - 12
  • Guided Reading Z+
  • DRA 80
  • Interest Level Grades 6 - 12
  • Lexile Level 790
  • Lexile Measurement 790L
  • Bebop Reading Advanced
  • ADA Site Compliance-Accessibility Policy