Summary
Have you ever been asked where you’re from? Like where you’re really from? In the book Where Are You From? by Yamile Saied Méndez, a little girl is asked by many of the people she encounters throughout her life where she is from. No matter what answer she gives, it never seems to be enough. That’s when she goes to her Abuelo in search of some answers. Aside from the words, the pictures tell an amazing story of all the places the little girl is from.
Theme(s):
overcoming adversity, society, family
Personal Response
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. My Abuela was born and raised on a farm in Argentina just as the author was. As a child growing up in New York, I always got asked questions about where I was from since I have red curly hair and freckles, not many people believed I have a hispanic background. I enjoyed the words that the author chose to implement in the book, they helped create true emotion for the words being read.
Teaching Ideas
An activity that could be tied into this book after reading it as a class would be to have each student think about where they are from. This can be completed as a family project- the students get to ask their parents where they are from and they will create a family tree poster at home then write about where they are from in class. This would be a great way to get a home school connection!
Recommended Reading Level
Birth-PreK, Grade 01, Grade 02
