A Skyline College student, staff and faculty book club reading Rafael Augustin’s Illegally Yours concluded last week. This memoir geared toward young adults revealed the Ecuadorian-American author’s story of growing up undocumented in Southern California and eventually attending community college, UCLA, and touring nationally with their autobiographical comedy before becoming a writer for the CW show Jane the Virgin and CEO of the Latino Film Institute.
Participants found many of the poignant experiences revealed by Augustin’s memoir incredibly relevant to our students’ experiences (and some of our own). While the author concluded, “This was a very painful book to write,” as readers we found Augustin’s optimism and humor in the face of adversity uplifting and rewarding.
Skyline College Library creates opportunities to deepen students’ understanding of social justice issues and expose students to diverse perspectives. Events and programs allow students, staff and faculty to feel connected to our College’s mission and values.
Towards this purpose, the Library has facilitated several student and staff/faculty reading groups on the theme of immigration and undocumented Americans. In addition to Illegally Yours, previous book selections have included Nicola Yoon’s The Sun is also a Star, Mia Alvar’s In the Country: Stories and Bay area native Lysley Tenorio’s The Son of Good Fortune. If you would like Library support for a campus book or reading group for Fall 2023 please reach out to Librarian Jessica Silver-Sharp at silversharpj@smccd.edu. We look forward to hearing from you.
Article by Jessica Silver-Sharp
