The following version of this book was used to create this study guide: Zamora, Javier. Solito: A Memoir. New York: Hogarth, 2022.

Javier Zamora is an eight-year-old boy living in El Salvador with his extended family. His parents live in the United States and have been saving money to send for him to join them. His mother wants him to arrive soon enough to begin school and learn English before it is too late. Once they have enough money, Javier’s grandfather brings him to meet up with a well-known smuggler named Don Dago.

Javier’s grandfather leaves him with Don Dago and returns to their hometown. Once Javier’s grandfather leaves, he begins to feel lonely. He does not speak much to the other migrants and keeps to himself.

The migrants take a dangerous boat ride to reach Mexico and Javier constantly feared drowning or being lost at sea in the dark. One of the men on the boat, Chino, holds Javier tight and keeps him warm. Chino tells Javier that he reminds him of his deceased younger brother and that he takes care of him as best he can.

Javier meets Patricia and Carla and Patricia also begins to take care of him. She helps him wash his clothes and makes sure he stays as clean as he can with their infrequent bathroom trips. They take a bus to Mexico City and try to change their accents and slang to be more Mexican to fly under the radar. The migrants stay in a string of motels and converse with each other. They are not allowed to go outside or talk to people who are not part of their group. When the coyote tells them to, they must prepare their things and move to the next place.

As they get closer to the desert and the border, Javier faces his fears of crossing on foot. He is encouraged to drink a lot of water and eat well to build up his strength beforehand. When it is time to go, they set out into the desert at night and must walk for hours. When they are near to the border they are apprehended by the Border Patrol and detained and returned to Mexico. Patricia fights to keep their small group together.

Days later, they must attempt to cross again. After a long night walking through the desert, they arrive at the border. They throw themselves over the fence and wait for vans to pick them up before the sun gives away their location. Javier waits at the final safehouse for his parents to come and pick him up. Although he is excited to see his parents and grateful to have made the journey safely, he is sad to leave behind his makeshift family. They will be spread across the country. Many people are waiting and being picked up every day by their loved ones. When his parents arrive, Javier feels a rush of excitement and relief. The memoir ends before any words are exchanged.