Mary Ann Key Book Club, Sponsored by Hennepin County Library, Announces 2 Events with Author Javier Zamora

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

The Mary Ann Key Book Club has returned with a great title, Solito: A Memoir by Javier Zamora. The book club is a collaboration with Star Tribune columnist Myron Medcalf and uses reading one book as a catalyst for conversation in our community to better understand past and current injustices. 

Javier Zamora, Photo credit Gerardo del ValleIn Solito, Zamora recounts his immigration experience traveling over four thousand miles from El Salvador to the United States, by himself, when he was a young boy of 9 to reunite with his parents. Zamora wrote the memoir 20 years after his excruciating experience. We talked to him in advance of the Book Club Events in May.

Q:  Congratulations on Solito, your memoir. I truly couldn't put it down. Have you noticed or been told that it is having an impact on the immigration discussion in the U.S.?

A:  Well, people do tell me that I’ve helped change the narrative of who is immigrating. I have learned that when I made the journey in 1999, there were 8 other children under the age of 12 who also arrived that year. Four of us were from El Salvador. A definite impact has been that it allows us to share our trauma and realize that we’re not alone. In terms of policy makers, I am unaware of any impact.

Q:  We welcome you to Minneapolis for the presentation to the Mary Ann Key Book Club. Who would you like to see in the audience on May 23rd?

A:  I would like to see people who have been impacted by immigration – immigrants, children of immigrants, policy makers, politicians, service providers, neighbors and allies. My experience was difficult to talk about for 20 years. It was difficult to acknowledge. If my experience shared with the audience helps anyone else learn and process the realities of immigration, I hope they will attend.

Q:  Let’s look ahead to 2024. What are your desired outcomes from the publishing of Solito? 

A:  My hope is that people begin to see immigrants not as numbers or statistics or in terms of negative stories, like the recent fire in Juarez Mexico that claimed the lives of 39 asylum seekers. The statistics tell one part of the story. Immigrants are survivors, full of the entire spectrum of emotions and experiences of being human. We like to eat delicious food; we like to laugh and dance and celebrate. We cherish our families. Please tell our entire story when you talk about immigrants.

Register for the upcoming events

Mary Ann Key Book Club Discussion - A Conversation with Javier Zamora, Tuesday, May 23, 6:30pm, Minneapolis Central Library – Pohlad Hall

Join the Mary Ann Key Book Club for an exclusive evening featuring Javier Zamora, award-winning author of Solito. The author will be joined in conversation by Star Tribune columnist and book club partner Myron Medcalf. The conversation will conclude with a Q&A session with participants and a book signing with the author.  Register to attend in-person - Register to attend online  This event will also be livestreamed and recorded.

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Mary Ann Key Book Club – A Community Discussion of Solito, Thursday, May 18, 7pm (Zoom only)

Join columnist Myron Medcalf and Latino/Latinx community leaders in an online conversation. Panelists will discuss Solito: A Memoir by Javier Zamora and how themes from the book are reflected in our community, writing as healing, and action steps for a more equitable future.  Registration required

Media partner: Star Tribune. Sponsor: Friends of the Hennepin County Library.