This 82-page easy-to-understand reader is one of 12 historical novels in the Hopes and Dreams series, whose diverse and fascinating characters, regardless of their ethnicity, face prejudice, danger, hardships, and setbacks, but survive with perseverance, a little bit of luck, and a generous amount of love in their new home in the US. Downloadable audio recordings of all 12 novels and free supplementary materials for teachers are available (visit ProLinguaLearning.com for more details).
Plot Summary for Neighbors: In the 1980s in El Salvador, the struggle for power between the government's army and the Guerillas causes widespread damage and death. A peasant couple, Ramn and Pilar, see their neighbor being taken away, his wife killed, and his house burned. Ramn becomes involved in a protest and is marked for death. He tries to escape to the U.S. but is returned to El Salvador and discovers that his village was destroyed and his family gone. He again crosses the U.S. border and is rescued from death in the desert by two nuns. He is given sanctuary by a couple in Texas. While there, he learns that his family is safe. Together again, they move to Maryland where they work in a restaurant. After several years, they work to help others gain protected status and sanctuary in the U.S.