Summary
This story is about a Latin American girl who is searching to find out where exactly she comes from because her peers are always asking her “where are you from?”. In her quest to discover her identity, she seeks guidance from her abuelo, who teaches her about the beauty of their Spanish heritage and how she comes from the different elements of their home country. He teaches her that she is made up of the many features of their Spanish culture and that each feature is something to be proud of.
Theme(s):
Struggles against the pressures of society, Family, Character Change, & Traditions
Personal Response
This book was a mirror text for me because it reminded me that there are so many beautiful features of my own heritage that help define where I come from and make me who I am. As I read, I could feel the young girl’s curiosity and eagerness to find out who she is as well as the trust she has within her abuelo to lead her to the answers she is seeking. This story made feel at home and helped me develop more pride in where I come from and the traditional features that make my heritage unique.
Teaching Ideas
I would integrate this book into my writing and art curriculum. I would ask students to choose a family member that they wish to interview. Next, I would have my students write about their interview experience and describe what they learned about themselves, their family, and heritage after interviewing a family member. Finally, I would have students create a painting or a collage that depicts a nature scenery from the country that they come from in the same way that the book does.
Recommended Reading Level
Birth-PreK, Grade 01, Grade 02
