Sino grows up on El Petaco, a ranch in Michoacán governed by labor and fear, in Tell Them Goodbye by E. R. Sanchez. When pressure from his father and the power of Adal block every path forward, Sino leaves before dawn with his cousin Martín. Their route takes them along Highway 15 through towns and cities where rides, work, or strangers decide each mile. The journey reshapes their bond as money runs out and danger appears, with choices that have a cost. After a night that alters everything, Sino continues north alone, with Martín’s belongings and a promise to reach the United States. Moving through Mexicali toward the border, he works and saves while preparing to cross, driven by family memories and the need to push onward.

Tell Them Goodbye by E. R. Sanchez is a beautifully moving and emotionally searing literary novel set in the 1970s, tracing a northbound journey shaped by family bonds, labor, and faith. Sanchez skilfully pulls together micro-moments that, even as an immigrant myself, form a picture of the small steps in a long journey: scenes of prayer at roadside shrines, deals struck over goats, and acts of kindness from drivers and hosts who keep the road feeling humane. Sino is a great protagonist, especially in making choices under pressure, protecting Martín, and even learning to read to claim his future. As an antagonist, Adal is defined by coercion, murder, and threats that affect entire families. The landscapes are stunning, from Michoacán ranch yards ruled by dawn labor to bus stations smelling of oil and eggs, and from Guadalajara kitchens offering shelter to border tunnels that test bodies. This book is the whole package. Readers drawn to social underdog stories will love it. Very highly recommended.

Tell Them Goodbye by E. R. Sanchez is the first book in the Third Death Series. It follows two teenage cousins, Sino and Martin, as they flee their rural home in Michoacán, Mexico. Sino grows up on a violent ranch ruled by his abusive father, with his cousin, Martin, as his only real support. After their cousin is murdered and threats come from a local drug enforcer, the boys decide to escape north toward the United States. They have no money, little schooling, and can’t say goodbye to their loved ones, so they steal goats and set off on their journey. On foot, by bus, and with rides from strangers, they face hunger, fear, and occasional kindness. In the end, will El Norte actually give them the life they hope for?

Tell Them Goodbye by E. R. Sanchez is a coming-of-age story about Sino. He narrates everything himself in a plain, honest way. The language matches his age, which makes his voice feel real and direct. This writing style actually helps to strengthen the realistic aspects of Sino's journey. The contrast between ranch life, small towns, and growing cities gives readers a clear idea of how places can sometimes shape a person's identity and opportunities in life. Themes of family loyalty, violence, and survival run deep through the story, especially in the concept of the “three deaths” and the need to be remembered. Overall, the story offers a serious and humane look at why young people migrate and what they leave behind. Readers who are fascinated by young adult thrillers about leaving home and family will enjoy this intriguing novel.

Sino knows in his heart that he would give anything to remain with his loved ones on the family ranch, but when faced with a life-defining dilemma, he opts to flee from home rather than live a life of drug dealing. He sets his sights on making it up north and crossing the border into the United States with the aid of a 'coyote.' He convinces his cousin Martin to come along, believing that in time, their decision will benefit everyone. The young men do not realize that they have embarked on a complex journey that will change their lives forever. Find out if their daring plan succeeds in E.R. Sanchez's Tell Them Goodbye: Third Death Series Book 1.

Strategically placed flashbacks, combined with detailed origin stories, help the reader understand why Sino is so hellbent on leaving home. The dialogue transitions from Sino's and Martin's shared memories of what they are leaving behind, and how best to achieve their objectives, to a deeper, emotional tone, emphasizing the finality of Sino's decision and its consequences. The stylish fusion of English and Spanish in the conversations gives Tell Them Goodbye a uniquely natural feel. E.R. Sanchez uses a combination of seemingly innocent observations and implied statements from Sino to show his transition from naive teen to adulthood. The author weaves these elements together at an even pace, ultimately crafting a riveting and thought-provoking novel that will appeal to drama and realistic fiction enthusiasts.

Sino and Martin grew up on the El Petaco ranch in Mexico, but they are on their way to the USA. They are running from Adal, who has threatened to kill everyone they know if they say what transpired. On their way to Arteaga, they get a ride from an old man who also buys the two goats they are escaping with. This gives them the money to proceed to Morelia, but they lose the rest of the money, which means they are trapped in Morelia. As things unfold, they meet Primitivo, who gives them a free ride and later invites them to his own home for a meal. Primitivo hands them over to Chocho, who takes them to their next destination. Later on, they meet Rick and his friends, who are on spring break in Mexico. Rick and his friends are good to Sino and Martin, but they insist on continuing on their journey northward. How will things unfold in Tell Them Goodbye by E. R. Sanchez when Sino and Martin meet a dangerous man called Ernesto?

Tell Them Goodbye by E. R. Sanchez takes readers on a gripping journey filled with unexpected twists and turns that keep one glued as the events unfold. The pacing is steady, and the vivid descriptions of events and places help one to create a mental picture of what is happening. The work shows how issues like the drug trade affect communities and the dangers faced by those seeking a better life. This thought-provoking work also got me contemplating the nature of human beings, and it made me appreciate that, despite the existence of bad people, good people also exist. The reader will also appreciate the motivating nature of this book, which portrays the courage and resilience of two young men undeterred in finding a better life. I look forward to reading something else by E. R. Sanchez.