Elvis Valle, author of the historical novella "The Big Cave," looked to personal experiences when composing the fictional work, which gives a face to the terror of civil war and takes readers on a journey of hope, love, tragedy and loss during a time of civil unrest.

Born in El Salvador, Valle was forced to flee the country, leaving behind parents, relatives, friends and his dreams at a young age. "The Big Cave" not only relays the story of his youth, but it tells the story of survival and triumph.

The novella's protagonist, Freddy, a lively, adventurous and bright boy who invents stories, feels the world crash down around him when he discovers a dead body at the age of 11, coinciding with the rise of civil war.

This abruptly ends his childhood, and he becomes one of the many children attempting to escape the heavy blow of war in order to stay alive.

The deeply personal story exemplifies the immigrant experience for many young people arriving in the U.S. and the dire circumstances that they are forced to face.

"It's very important for me to impart a part of the history of many people like me, who have to immigrate to this country looking for a better life," Valle told Latin Post. "My work doesn't deviate from the topics associated with the Hispanic culture. Actually, it's part of the topics that are in the Latino culture, which many people from different countries are suffering from."

Between 1980 and 1992, civil war ravaged El Salvador. The violence pushed thousands of children to make the journey to the U.S. alone, and 75,000 citizens of the nation died during that time. The story that Valle tells isn't simply a story of war. Instead,it's a story that embodies human suffering, injustice and newfound courage.

"I'm paying respect to my heritage not only by my hard work and dedication, but as an example of an immigrant that accomplished my dreams in the radio business [and by] writing a book, so that people can know that with hard work and dedication anything is possible," Valle said.

Valle believes that Latino stories of suffering and success must be told, and believes that contributions from Hispanic professionals such as Guillermo Del Toro benefit the entire population. As a Latino, Del Toro has "been able to conquer the obstacles of getting into the Hollywood industry, which not many people are able to do."

Valle is a father of three, enjoys fishing and playing soccer, and once represented the voice of Latinos as a radio personality. Now, he's doing the same with "The Big Cave," which shows "other nations that Latinos who live in [the U.S.] have their own history to tell."

"The Big Cave" is an 82-page paperback with a retail price of $9.00 and it is published by Dorrance Publishing Co.

Find Valle on Facebook. Also, be sure to check out the other pieces in our Latino Author Series, which includes Tim Hernandez, Daisy Hernandez, Sandra Lopez and Cecilia Fernandez.

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