From Cardboardland to Disneyland: Flashes of My Life

October 10, 2025 at 11:45 AM EDT

In this powerful memoir “From Cardboardland to Disneyland: Flashes of My Life,” Francisco Javier Estrada invites the reader into an unforgettable journey from the makeshift shacks of “Cardboardland” in Tijuana, to the turbulent neighborhoods of East Los Angeles. This book is much more than just a story. It's about resilience, identity and the unwavering pursuit of a better future.

Estrada's vivid storytelling captures all the danger and beauty of growing up in poverty, racial conflict, gang rivalry, and cultural changes. Each chapter is filled with vivid real-life stories, from the floods he survived in the shack his father built to navigating the violent racial conflict of Los Angeles' housing projects, and the bonds of brotherhood among friends and family members.

Estrada says, "This book is a tribute to anyone who has dreamed of a life beyond their circumstances. It's a tribute to the people, places and moments that have shaped me, and the struggles, laughter and dreams that forever endure.”

From Cardboardland to Disneyland has a sharpness that is both inspiring and raw. Readers will encounter unforgettable characters, including childhood friends, fierce matriarchs and barrio heroes, and learn about the events that helped shape a Chicano culture during a period of cultural and political turmoil.

Estrada's work is an intimate look at the lives of immigrants, young people coming of age, and perseverance on both sides. It's a world where survival was an artistic form, and each small victory was like reaching the Magic Kingdom and getting close to Utopia.

Preorders for ‘From Cardboardland to Disneyland: Flashes of My Life’ will be opening up soon via Amazon and

other major book retailers. Get your copy now and immerse yourself in a story that you will never forget.

About the Author:

Francisco Javier Estrada grew up in East Los Angeles, a vibrant but challenging neighborhood. Estrada is a proud Chicano and Mexicano whose life reflects immigrant struggles, cultural resilience, as well as the power of the community. From Cardboardland to Disneyland, his captivating and deeply personal debut memoir.