We Are Not from Here

Three teenagers from Guatemala flee their gang-controlled hometown, attempting a dangerous journey to the United States. Pequeña, Chico, and Pulga face violence and persecution at home, leading them to risk everything by traveling north via La Bestia - the notorious freight trains that migrants ride through Mexico. The story follows their harrowing 2,000-mile journey from Central America through Mexico, capturing the physical and emotional challenges they endure. Through alternating perspectives, the narrative documents their encounters with other migrants, criminal organizations, and those who both help and harm them along the way. The novel explores themes of survival, sacrifice, and the human cost of immigration through both stark realism and elements of magical realism. It presents an unvarnished look at why young people flee their homelands and the extreme risks they take in search of safety.

Readers describe this as an emotional, eye-opening account of migration that depicts real struggles faced by Central American youth. Many note they couldn't put it down despite the difficult subject matter. Readers appreciated: - The authentic portrayal of trauma and violence - Character development that creates deep emotional investment - The balance between hope and harsh reality - Spanish language integration that adds authenticity - The age-appropriate handling of serious topics Common criticisms: - The pacing drags in some middle sections - Some found the violence overwhelming - A few readers wanted more resolution at the ending Ratings: Goodreads: 4.4/5 (6,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (580+ ratings) BookBrowse: 4.5/5 Notable reader comments: "I had to take breaks while reading because it felt so real" - Goodreads reviewer "Should be required reading in schools" - Amazon reviewer "The characters stayed with me long after finishing" - Barnes & Noble reviewer

The Beast by Don Winslow A teenage Mexican boy makes the perilous journey north on La Bestia train to reach the United States after his family becomes a target of local cartels.

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Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen by Jose Antonio Vargas A journalist recounts his path from the Philippines through Mexico to the United States and his life in the shadows as an undocumented immigrant.

Disappeared by Francisco X. Stork Two Mexican siblings flee Juarez for the U.S. border after investigating cartel violence puts their lives at risk.

The Border by Steve Schafer Four Mexican teenagers trek through the Sonoran Desert toward the U.S. after surviving a cartel attack at a quinceañera.

🔹 "La Bestia" (The Beast), the freight train network featured in the book, claims hundreds of migrant lives each year, with many falling to injury or death while attempting to ride atop the moving cars. 🔹 Jenny Torres Sanchez drew inspiration from her own family's immigration experience and spent extensive time researching migrant shelters along the U.S.-Mexico border while writing the book. 🔹 Guatemala, where the story begins, has one of the highest youth migration rates in Central America, with nearly 60% of migrants being under the age of 18. 🔹 The book won the 2021 Américas Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature, which recognizes works that authentically portray Latin America, the Caribbean, or Latinos in the U.S. 🔹 The magical realism elements in the novel connect to a rich literary tradition in Latin American writing, pioneered by authors like Gabriel García Márquez and Isabel Allende.