Belonging in America and Mexico: Our Stories Carried Us Here

Gr 3-8–Born in the United States, Daniel is nine when his family decides to move to Mexico, where his roots are. He frustratingly tries to fit in. Throughout, he is caught between the two cultures. The bilingual text is written in Spanish and English, representing the two languages that Daniel doesn’t feel quite at home in. The story realistic and poignant, and balanced by the captivating illustrations. Teens will identify with the teen’s struggle to understand his family’s past and Mexican cultural traditions. He does not always understand them or what they signify. Readers see Daniel grow as he eventually returns to his birth country when he turns 15. Gao’s light line is fluid, just like the protagonist’s dance between cultures. The smudged watercolorlike art is presented across varying and dynamic panels that will engage readers. All of the characters identify as Mexican.