"Ruben Reyes Jr. has announced himself here in impressive fashion. This wonderful debut collection displays a virtuosic fictional range, often in the realm of what some would call the speculative, but in any case the depth of emotion, the insight into the lives of immigrants, and the potency and warmth of the writing in each story will leave you saying, This is real. This is true. When you read There is a Rio Grande in Heaven, your mind will be sent in many thrilling directions, and it will be powerfully deepened." -- Jamel Brinkley, author of Witness and A Lucky Man, finalist for the National Book Award "In this rich, lively and imaginative collection, Reyes' presents the richness of the American Latine and immigrant experience, not as we are perceived, but as we know and recognize ourselves to be. In Reyes' hands, robots, alternative colonial histories, and dream sequences are more than storytelling devices. They are as real and vivid as the grief, abandoned love and homelands these characters are trying to reconcile with their American realities.

These are stories to treasure and ponder, long after the last page has been turned." -- Xochitl Gonzalez, New York Times bestselling author of Olga Dies Dreaming "As stunning as it is surreal, There is a Rio Grande in Heaven bravely exposes the circuitry of our society--as well as its myths and lies--in ways that are jolting, jarring, and joyful. Capturing migrations domestic, international, and even interplanetary, Ruben Reyes Jr.'s debut depicts the astronomic costs so many incur in attempting to start anew, as well as the faith required to believe that a better tomorrow is possible. Wildly funny, so damn creative, and inspiring all the feels, Reyes and his work are out of this world." -- Mateo Askaripour, New York Times bestselling author of Black Buck and This Great Hemisphere.