“Such an important, poignant, and honest piece. I read it in one sitting!” ~ Michelle Lopez, Berkshire Immigrant Center In 2004, seventeen-year-old Alex Portillo embarks on a harrowing, journey from Honduras to Baltimore in the hopes of starting a better life. Over a decade later, Alex recounts his story to author and activist Jana Laiz in this bilingual retelling. This book will give readers insight into the incredible power the American dream holds for those suffering the hopelessness and violence of extreme poverty. This is a modern day odyssey of what one immigrant faces as he makes the treacherous journey out of unfathomable living conditions. “Una pieza tan importante, conmovedora y honesta. ¡Lo leí en una sentada!” ~ Michelle Lopez, Centro de Inmigrantes de Berkshire En 2004, Alex Portillo, de diecisiete años, se embarca en un viaje angustioso desde Honduras a Baltimore con la esperanza de comenzar una vida mejor. Más de una década después, Alex le cuenta su historia a la autora y activista Jana Laiz en este recuento bilingüe. Este libro brindará a los lectores una idea del increíble poder que tiene el sueño americano para quienes sufren la desesperanza y la violencia de la pobreza extrema. Esta es una odisea moderna de lo que enfrenta un inmigrante mientras realiza el traicionero viaje desde unas condiciones de vida insondables. “Thirty-Five Days to Baltimore is a detailed and moving account of one 17 year-old’s harrowing immigrant experience told in achingly beautiful writing. I loved the book! Could not put it down! This immigrant experience honestly reflects the trauma, bravery and survival against all odds that people go through in pursuit of freedom. It is truly an honest depiction of many immigrants’ journeys in pursuit of their right to survive and thrive.” --~ Maxine J. Stein, MSW, President and CEO Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts “While the conversation around immigration remains heavily politicized, Thirty-five days to Baltimore strips away all of the noise and gives us a crystal clear understanding of Alexis’s motives and the strength it took to set out and make a better life for himself and his family. Equal parts heartwarming and gut-wrenching, this book is a page-turner that will stick with you long after you have put it down and put a very human perspective on a complex topic. Thirty-five days to Baltimore has the power to change minds and hearts. I loved it.” --Akil Clark, President Spark Foundation “Thirty-Five Days to Baltimore is a detailed and moving account of one 17 year-old’s harrowing immigrant experience told in achingly beautiful writing. I loved the book! Could not put it down! This immigrant experience honestly reflects the trauma, bravery and survival against all odds that people go through in pursuit of freedom. It is truly an honest depiction of many immigrants’ journeys in pursuit of their right to survive and thrive.” --~ Maxine J. Stein, MSW, President and CEO Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts Alexis Portillo is a Honduran immigrant with a story to tell. Coming from a hopeless and impoverished situation in Honduras, Alex relates to Jana Laiz the story of his harrowing journey through the desert to find his way to Baltimore and a better life for himself and his family. Alex is currently living in Texas pursuing a career as a pastor. This is his first book. Jana Laiz, is a writer and educator living in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts. She is the author of the award-winning novels Weeping Under This Same Moon (in development for film), The Twelfth Stone and Billy Budd in the Breadbox, The Story of Herman Melville & Eleanor. She is the co-author of A Free Woman On God’s Earth: The Story of Elizabeth Mumbet Freeman (in development for film), Blanket of Stars, and Simon Says. She and Alexis Portillo have teamed up to write Thirty-five Days to Baltimore. Jana is a writer with a purpose, believing that honoring diversity and teaching stewardship for the planet can change the world. She is Writer-In-Residence Emeritus at Herman Melville’s Arrowhead home. Visit her at janalaiz.com.