Against all odds as a new undocumented immigrant in America, I had one monumental advantage. And at that time, I didn't even know it. As a young boy, even before taking my first steps inside a school building, my mama had introduced me to books and to the magic of reading. Yes, my Mama and my abuelitas had drilled in my mind the idea that through an education, everything is possible. This was in fact what I discovered when I had lost all hope and did not believe in myself as I faced many obstacles, including not knowing the new language, having to start all over again in a new country, and facing the daily hurt of other kids making fun of my accent, calling me a refugee, and yelling at me to go back to my own country.


Books provided me an escape into another world, and it was through the magic of reading that I began to feel that I belonged in America. My life was transformed when I decided that my only path to succeed was through an education. This is what A Boy and a Book is about. It is a story of hope, imagination, and courage that will show you how through the magic of books you can overcome all obstacles and make your dreams a reality.


Through my story, I will show you how you can do it as well. I will describe my own technique for studying. It consists of three steps that will make anyone a better student. It worked for me at Princeton University, Harvard medical school and MIT, and it will work for any young person who dreams of success in academic institutions. This is the book that I wish I would have read when I was feeling overwhelmed, and this is the book that I am confident can help any student do better in school.


Many young boys and girls often look at athletes and famous personalities for inspiration and motivation. In reality, the vast majority of us do not have the athletic powers or talents to attain an exceptional level of performance that would make us successful in careers as professional athletes or Hollywood stars. But every young person has the talent, intelligence, and desire to succeed in school. All they need is the confidence and a guide to help them take that first step and believe in themselves. A Boy and a Book is the story that will guide you through the important path of falling in love with reading, books, and the idea that this is the only way to succeed in life. This is a book that I hope every young person has the opportunity to read, because I know that it can transform their lives.