Where are You From?


I get this question a lot. Most of the time I enjoy the conversation but sometimes it makes me feel like “other.” I love talking about my heritage and it’s important that those conversations inspire a sense of belonging. After a girl is asked, “Where are you from, from? No where are you REALLY from?” she turns to her Abuelo for answers. He shares with his granddaughter their diverse cultural ancestry and how the people she loves contribute to who she is today. This is a great book to explore identity and building respectful communities.  
 -Dena

Social Justice Activities:

Relevant Social Justice Standards:

Identity 2: Students will develop language and historical and cultural knowledge that affirm and accurately describe their membership in multiple identity groups. 

Identity 3: Students will recognize that people’s multiple identities interact and create unique and complex individuals 

Identity 4: Students will express pride, confidence and healthy self-esteem without denying the value and dignity of other people.

Diversity 8: Students will respectfully express curiosity about the history and lived experiences of others and will exchange ideas and beliefs in an open-minded way.  

Diversity 9: Students will respond to diversity by building empathy, respect, understanding and connection. 

Reading Strategies:

Comparing Characters: Compare the main character and her abuelo and their roles in the story. Highlight the ways our elders can foster social emotional wellness through their guidance.

Emergent Reader Strategies: "Zooming into to details" in the illustrations and the words. Make sure to highlight the detail of the person's face in the mountains and the metaphor for enslavement.

Book Details:
  • Fiction, All Ages
  • Perspectives: Latinx, Hispanic
  • Author's stated heritage: Argentina
  • Subject Integration: Art, Geography

Questions for families to discuss:

Learn more about the Author


Book covers images are from publishers and in the public domain