The Notebook Keeper: A Story of Kindness from the Border

This is "don't miss it" title across many ages. 

Random House Studio, NY, 2022

THE NOTEBOOK KEEPER: A Story of Kindness From the Border is written by Stephen Briseno and illustrated by Magdelena Mora. I'm tempted to call this nonfiction, but it is actually an informational fiction account of the process that emerged at our southwest  border crossing. For anyone paying attention, the notebook keeper role will be a familiar one. It has been reported in many national media outlets. Those who are seeking/getting their "news" from sources with anti-immigrant messages may not know of the process. 

It is not a "pretty picture", to visualize the chaos and terror of having survived travel through the harshest hardships from a dangerous homeland, only to be told to "wait right there" for indefinitely long periods of time. No resources, no answers, no real hope or trust that a potential crossing for asylum will follow weeks or months of waiting; no protection from their previous dangers and disasters or new ones in this crowded situation. 

In spite of that reality, this is a story of kindness, as the subtitle says, although the mother/daughter refugees  are not greeted with kindness by officials at the border. Uniformed guards and a seemingly endless wall prevent their ability to enter the USA and seek a chance to tell their story.

As a growing crowd waits, fear and confusion increase. The Notebook Keeper arrives, calmly introducing herself and beginning a process to enter their names in her notebook, assigning each group of ten names a single number in the order they are added. After adding their names and origins, the girl (Noemi) and Mama settle uncomfortably into a tent city, wondering how soon their number might be called. 

The next few pages reveal Noemi speaking with the Notebook Keeper, Belinda, and learning that she, too, is waiting for her own number to be called. Even so, she stays encouraging and smiling and handles her volunteer job with care and accuracy. The days blend into weeks, but heightened anxiety is relieved by choosing to be kind and helpful and encouraging during their wait. The full circle moment arrives when  Belinda's number is called and she selects Noemi and Mama to take over the Notebook Keeper job until they, too, have a turn to cross. 

The point is made earlier in the story that being called to cross does not mean being allowed to stay. Asylum claims will be made and heard, then a quick decision follows. It may be decided that there is cause to allow further hearings, in which case they may stay, temporarily. If that decision instead finds not enough support for asylum, they must return across the border to Mexico later that day, with no second chances. 

It is a major moment, a chance to be heard. Even so, the major moment in this story does not include news of Belinda's decision and fate, or the time the mother/daughter pair will continue to wait. Instead, the focus is on those in the most stressful and  fearful situations still finding a path to choose kindness, encouragement, and empathy. Helping others in whatever ways possible. It's also clear just how powerful that is in providing human respect to those being herded or ignored like animals.

For such a complex and foreboding topic and details, the simple art includes expressive faces and physical spaces that clarify the text and struggles while remaining age appropriate, not overwhelming. For children (and adults) who have lived this experience the story could be triggering, but it could also be validating and welcomed for opening eyes to an often-ignored or distorted reality. I suggest previewing the story with those audiences before sharing directly, allowing their own choice to participate or not. By no means should anyone ASSUME or prod individuals to share experiences publicly without clarifying and respecting their preferences in advance.

A brief author's note and selected resources are provided to allow young readers and their adults to learn more and confirm the facts of this process. To read a  bit more about it now, CLICK HERE. Even if you have no young people to read this book to/with, get your hands on it and read it for yourselves, please.