We Were Here

We Were Here is a young adult novel that follows Miguel, a troubled teenager who is sent to a group home after committing a serious crime. The story is told through Miguel's journal entries as he documents his experiences and struggles. Miguel joins two other teens from the group home - Rondell and Mong - as they embark on a journey together, running away and traveling along the California coast. Their complex relationships and individual battles with their pasts shape their path as they make their way toward the Mexican border. The novel centers on themes of redemption, identity, and the weight of past actions. Through Miguel's raw and honest perspective, the story explores how young people cope with guilt, forge meaningful connections, and search for their place in the world.

Readers connect with the authentic voice of protagonist Miguel and the raw emotions throughout his journey. The young adult novel resonates particularly with reluctant readers and teens who have faced difficult circumstances. What readers liked: - Natural, realistic dialogue that captures teen voices - Character development and relationships between the three main characters - Representation of Latino youth without stereotypes - Pacing that builds tension - The imperfect but honest portrayal of redemption What readers disliked: - Slow start in the first 50 pages - Some found the ending unsatisfying - Occasional strong language that some felt unnecessary Ratings: Goodreads: 4.17/5 (8,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (280+ reviews) Common Sense Media: 4/5 Reader quote: "The characters feel like real people you might know - flawed but trying their best to figure things out." - Goodreads reviewer "This book speaks to teens who've made mistakes and shows there's always hope." - Amazon reviewer

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🔸 Matt de la Peña was the first Hispanic author to win the prestigious Newbery Medal (2016) for his children's book "Last Stop on Market Street" 🔸 "We Were Here" is written in journal format, inspired by de la Peña's experience teaching journaling to incarcerated youth in San Diego 🔸 The California coastal setting of the book traces the historic El Camino Real mission route, which connects 21 Spanish missions from San Diego to San Francisco 🔸 Before becoming a writer, de la Peña attended the University of the Pacific on a full basketball scholarship, an experience that often influences his portrayal of young male characters 🔸 The book's title "We Were Here" refers to both the physical graffiti tags left by the characters and the deeper metaphorical marks they leave on each other's lives