The “I” Illegal

About the Book

The protagonist, Ana Juárez, reflects on her life as a student in elementary, high school, and college. Her life “has been unjust, embittered, full of ignorance and disappointment, but not without hope” Ana was eager to attend kindergarten, and by fourth grade she is an achiever with a competitive attitude. She is ready for academic combat in the middle grades, but is compromised by the teachers’ methodology of cooperative learning. Her home is an adequate, but not a rich setting in which she receives love and motivation; however she perceives that her younger brother, Roberto, is the favorite sibling, but she, the older, is the smarter. Valedictorian, Ana, is admitted to the Metropolitan College Preparatory High School. “You’d make a wonderful nurse,” her mother says. “Why not a doctor?” she thinks. Ana is supported by her friends Karla, Mary, Ricardo, Clarence, Julia and Josh, who help “fight her battles.” Unexpected mentors appear as she passionately strives to make decisions regarding college and her future.

About the Author

Geraldine F. Johnson’s interest triad has focused on education, dance and drama, and writing. Ms. Johnson has a PhD from the University of Chicago, and has worked as a teacher, research assistant, and school principal. She danced with several local companies, sponsored her own performing troupe, and has taught ballet and modern dance. As a proponent of integrating the humanities into curriculum and instruction she devised activities to motive students, to increase comprehension and creativity, and to develop skills in expression and communication. The “I” Illegal is the author’s first published novel. It was written when the author was able to sit and write, without interruption, while developing the characters and plot. It became apparent that the main character, Ana, would need mentors. The attorney, Jesse A. Andrews Jr., was introduced in an unpublished book, Good Night and Tomorrow, wherein he was a child from a large family who attended law school. In “I” Illegal, he is an influential adult. Writing is soothing in that it can be done solo. Fiction gives the writer control and direction of the speech and action. Fiction enable the author to expand the boundaries of what the reader might have experienced or expected.