We Are Not from Here

This book touches your heart. It gives you a small glimpse of the reality that many people go through. The emotions and physical feelings that fully affect them for the rest of their existence. I am very pleased that books like these are out there and people are willing to listen and learn about the struggles. We as individuals need to be more compassionate and understanding about the realities of many.

Lovely book. Riveting, sad and hopeful at the same time. I could not put this book down . These children have a place in my heart.

Should be a required read. Truly shows the reasons why people chose to immigrate and the insane challenges they face in trying to find a better life.

I am a 10th-grade English student. For our quarter book we read, We Are Not From Here by Jenny Torres Sanchez. As the class read, our perspectives on immigration were deepened and changed. The novel opened my eyes to the immigration journey and process. I really enjoyed the author’s writing style and how she chose to portray each character. Since reading the novel, I have learned the lifestyle and daily routine of a traveling immigrant. However, if you are against strong language, violence, death, and minor sexual content, We Are Not From Here is not the book for you. In my opinion, violence and strong language were suitable for the situations in which they were used. On the other hand, if you enjoy eye-opening novels, describing journeys, adventure, suspense, action, and the opportunity to understand what everyday people go through, then We Are Not From Here is the book for you. As my class read on, I could tell that we were beginning to understand and grasp the concept of immigration and its heartbreaking challenges and consequences.I would rate this novel a 4 out of 5 simply because at the end of the novel the plot seems to repeat itself and it begins to burn out. Because of the violence and language, I would recommend this book for 14 and up. And to Jenny Torres Sanchez, thank you for helping my class and me understand the physical, mental, and emotional pain and exhaustion that immigrants go through each and every day to get to our incredible country. As one of the main characters, Pequeña, explains, “We are small people, with small names, meant to live small lives. That’s all we’re allowed to live.”

This book is so much more important than some of the classics that high schoolers waste their time reading. Instead of “Lord of the Flies” or “A Separate Peace” or books like those, this should be required reading. It is such an important book, because we who were lucky enough to be born in the US have NO idea that this is how so many kids live and die. It broke my heart, and opened my eyes at the same time.

I originally read this novel when looking for something to use in a high school ESL class, but it's rife with potential PTSD triggers.This gripping fictional account offers eye-opening insights into why so many kids dream of crossing the border and the factors that push them to act on that dream in the face of seemingly unsurmountable challenges. Realistically, I doubt that any one immigrant typically faces all of the daunting situations in which the characters find themselves during their trek from Guatemala, but reading it will awaken teachers, counselors, others to a better understanding that many of our students are grappling with issues much deeper than cultural adjustment and a language barrier.

This powerful book tells the story of three unaccompanied minors who leave family and friends to escape violence in Central America. While it grippingly captures the plight of thousands who travel dangerous routes to the US, including weeks riding La Bestia trains through Mexico, _We Are Not from Here_ is more than a historical document and more than a great young adult novel. The author explores parenthood, childhood, sibling relations and more. She uses realism to depict the landscapes, voices, sensorium and physical suffering of the migrant routes but adds beautifully written passages evocative of the best magic realism to capture the spiritual, emotional, and cosmic dimensions of the trauma, endurance and survival of the characters. Those characters--Pulgra, Pequeña, and Chico--and what they experience will stay with you long after you finish the last page.

Do yourself a favor and just read this already! If you've ever felt like gratitude is something you don't practice and don't know what to be grateful for... well read on! The author doesn't hold back, so make sure you read it with an open mind and heart! Because this is happening NOW! While we live in our bubbles and stress over our first world problems, there are children who are literally being crushed and broken. And when they arrive here thinking they are safe... think again! The vicious cycle of non-stop suffering is not for the weak!

This book was an excellent and simple read .I felt I was part of the story because I could picture the images in front of my eyes . I would highly recommend this book for everyone to read . I can only imagine what children and families went through and still go through today crossing the border.My heart goes out to all of them.

Como American Dirt, solo que mil veces mejor . Escrito por una escritora latina (support own voices), realista , emotivo...

Awesome book.