‘Solito: A Memoir’ Selected for 2026-27 Common Read
Javier Zamora’s “Solito: A Memoir,” a critically acclaimed autobiography recounting Zamora’s solo journey at the age of nine from El Salvador to the U.S, has been selected for Æðµã´«Ã½’s 2026-27 Common Read.
The Common Read is a part of CPP’s First Year Experience courses. This community initiative encourages all students, staff, and faculty to read and reflect on the same book.
A poet and immigrant from El Salvador, Zamora writes about his harrowing journey to reunite with his parents in the United States. Zamora draws from his own experience as a child migrating a 3,000-mile trek through Guatemala and Mexico alongside a group of strangers. Zamora captures the danger, scarcity and extreme conditions he endured, and the unexpected family bonds formed along the way.
“‘Solito’ is a deeply moving story. It challenges us to reflect on the sacrifices, uncertainties, and acts of courage that often remain unseen behind a person’s journey,” said Dora Lee, assistant vice president for academic engagement and success. “We hope students are inspired by Zamora’s courage and resilience and leave with a greater sense of compassion and connection to the diverse experiences that shape our campus community.”
Anthony Ocampo, chair and professor of sociology, nominated the book. He appreciates how “Solito: A Memoir” reveals the deep human realities behind migration. Ocampo believes the themes of resilience, family, separation, and belonging will resonate deeply with first-year students, The book will help them see that their lived experiences belong at the center of the college classroom, sparking meaningful campus conversations about migration, empathy and community, he said.
“I hope ‘Solito’ emboldens and inspires students to see that their personal stories, their family stories, and their experiences matter tremendously, and can really change people’s lives. Every single one of them can be the storyteller that Javier Zamora is,” said Ocampo.
As first-year students navigate the transition to college, Ocampo sees “Solito: A Memoir” as a way for them, especially those from immigrant and first-generation families, to feel seen and validated, recognizing that the challenges and sacrifices in their lives are sources of strength and community on campus.
In the FYE courses that the eight colleges, the University Library and offer, first-year students spend time getting to know their major, exploring campus resources and learning what being a college student entail.
While rooted in the first-year experience, the Common Read has expanded into a campuswide tradition. All CPP students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to engage with the book throughout the academic year. The selection process begins with an open nomination period, typically starting in late fall. Anyone in the CPP community is encouraged to submit a fiction or nonfiction book. The FYE Committee reviews all nominations and selects a book that is engaging, thought-provoking and reflective of diverse perspectives that make up the Bronco community.
In addition to reading “Solito: A Memoir,” FYE students can participate in a signature Polytechnic Experience (PolyX) and present their work at the fall and spring PolyX Showcases. Information about these opportunities will be available on the FYE website.
Established in 2007, the FYE community grows each year with new students, faculty, and staff engaging in programming. The Common Read is organized by the Office of Student Success and the FYE Committee.