At fourteen, Maria left everything behind in Guatemala, traveling alone in a caravan to reach the U.S. border — a journey that left scars and secrets she's carried for years. Now her son, Pepe, growing up in a well-off Hispanic-American community, feels torn: ashamed of the mother who cleans houses for the rich, and full of unanswered questions about a father she won't name. Poor Pepe is a powerful story about sacrifice, identity, and the real cost of the American Dream. Perfect for: older readers and classrooms exploring immigration, identity, and family, and anyone drawn to honest coming-of-age stories.