{"id":3453,"date":"2021-02-21T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-02-21T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/itslitteaching.com\/?p=3453"},"modified":"2021-03-05T09:54:56","modified_gmt":"2021-03-05T15:54:56","slug":"story-about-immigration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itslitteaching.com\/story-about-immigration\/","title":{"rendered":"This Is The Story about Immigration You Need In Your Classroom!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I could not put We Are Not From Here<\/em> down while reading it. This story about immigration, family, sacrifice, and the American Dream is full of adventure, hope, and heartbreak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re looking for a young adult novel to add to your English class curriculum<\/a> or classroom library<\/a>, this is one you won’t want to miss. <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We Are Not From Here<\/em> by Jenny Torres Sanchez follows the story of three young Guatemalans who leave home to seek refuge in the United States. Fueled only by dreams and hopes, the three face countless dangers on their journey. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that earn me a small commission, at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products that I personally use and love, or think my readers will find useful.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pinterest<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This Story About Immigration Is One That Needs to Be Told<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I have been looking for a book like this for a long time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Years ago, I began the unending process of trying to add diversity to both my classroom library and my curriculum. Luckily, the young adult world has been publishing a ton of really great books the last few years from black authors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was having a hard time, however, finding books from Latinx authors that felt “teachable.” At least, until I received a recommendation for Sanchez’s novel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The three protagonists in this story are each escaping a man named Rey from their hometown in Guatemala.<\/strong> Rey has victimized Pequeña, who even gives birth to his child. Rey has been tormenting Chico and Pulga, forcing them to participate in his cartel activities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The three decide to follow the stories and dreams that they’ve heard from others who attempted to reach America, even though it means breaking their mothers’ hearts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Product<\/a>
These reading strategy exit tickets<\/a> can be used with any novel.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This story about immigration pulls no punches when it comes to the hardships that the children face.<\/strong> For example, Pequeña disguises herself as a boy to avoid more sexual assault in her life.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Together, they face adults who would steal from or deceive them. They jump train cars and cling to the tops of them, sitting awake for days at a time in the hot sun. They cross borders, sometimes with help and sometimes alone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While many of our students know all too well these hardships, so many of our students. Worse, they don’t understand why<\/em> some people choose to immigrate illegally or the conditions that these immigrants are leaving behind them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We Are Not From Here<\/a><\/em> can help students empathize with those who choose to immigrate illegally.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n