Efrén Divided delves into the turbulent life of Efrén Nava, a young Mexican American boy living in Southern California. Efrén's world, which was previously filled with school, friends, and nurturing his crush on Jennifer, is shattered when his mother, Ama, is suddenly deported to Mexico. His father works tirelessly to make ends meet, leaving Efrén to become the primary caregiver for his younger siblings, Max and Mía.
Efrén's life becomes a whirlwind of packing lunches, helping with homework, and trying to mask the reality of their mother's absence from his siblings. He also struggles with school, his duties as the student body president, and the fear of his secret about Ama being discovered. Yet, amid all these adversities, Efrén decides that he needs to reunite his family and begins saving money from a part-time job for a trip to Mexico.
Taking a leap of faith, Efrén journeys to Tijuana to find his mother. This part of the story is fraught with peril and eye-opening realities about immigrants' hardships. However, Efrén successfully locates Ama, and they share a heartfelt reunion. Ama, living in a women's shelter, expresses her fear of risking an illegal return to the U.S. and getting banned from entering the country for a decade.
Meanwhile, Efrén's father gets injured, and Efrén must return home. Before leaving, he promises Ama he will not stop fighting for their family. Back home, Efrén reveals Ama's deportation to his siblings and the school. Jennifer, his crush, organizes a fundraiser to legally bring Ama back.
Ultimately, the community rallies around Efrén's family, and Efrén learns that they are not alone while their fight is far from over. They send the money raised to Ama, and Efrén feels hopeful about their future. The book closes with Efrén looking forward to the day he can reunite with his mother.
