The Secret Life of Sonia Rodriguez, by Alan Lawrence Sitomer

Sonia has a secret. She is the daughter of her illegal latino parents, driven north from Mexico by extreme poverty. Her father works three jobs to help support her family, and Sonia cooks & cleans to help her family out, and tries hard to stay clear of her drunken uncle who lives with them. More than anything Sonia wants to be the first in her family to graduate from High School, and vows not to let anythings stop her!

"Sonia's immediate voice will hold (readers) with its mix of anger, sorrow, tenderness, and humor." ~ Booklist Magazine