Escape to the North

Fifteen-year-old Rosa lives happily with her mom, brother and sister in Santa Rosa de Copán, Honduras. Their simple life is disrupted when the teen and her brother witness their older sister’s brutal murder by her boyfriend, a ruthless member of the Mara Salvatrucha (MS13) gang.

The siblings are forced to flee their village for fear the Maras will try to silence them―permanently! Their mom puts them on a bus and sends them to an aunt in Guatemala. Once there, though, Rosita finds herself in danger again, this time at the hands of her aunt's abusive husband, who intends to exploit and traffic her at his local bar.

Soon she must go back on the run, this time headed to an aunt in Houston, Texas. Along the way she meets a friendly family that provides a welcome lifeline on the frightening and dangerous journey, during which she encounters many men who would use and abuse her, climbs aboard the infamous freight train known as “La Bestia” and crosses a desert full of dark shadows. Teens will read this exciting novel with bated breath as Rosa risks everything to escape to the United States in search of a safe, stable life.

CARLOS HUGO ROJAS grew up between two worlds—born in Houston, Texas, but spending his early childhood on his grandparents’ ranch in Tamaulipas, Mexico. This blend of cultures shapes his storytelling and provides the authentic perspective found in his debut novel, Escape to the North. When not writing, he immerses himself in both literature and film, constantly seeking new stories that resonate with his interests. Rojas lives and works in Houston, where he continues to draw inspiration from the community around him and the rich experiences that have defined his journey.