There is controversary about this book because the author is white and not Mexican. However, I felt that the message was very clear. I was deeply moved and was given an insiders look into the plight of the immigrant trying to cross the US southern border. I had no idea what it actually meant to "cross illegally" from Mexico into the US. This book is a very good description of that plight. It was heart breaking, shocking and stirred a lot of emotion and discussion. For that, I feel it should be forgiven it's controversary. I also feel the controversary is good because it draws more people to the book which will result in more white awareness of what is actually happening at our southern border.