Where Are You From? by Méndez, Yamile Saied

This resonant and award-winning picture book tells the story of one girl who constantly gets asked a simple question that doesn't have a simple answer. A great conversation starter in the home or classroom--a book to share, in the spirit of I Am Enough by Grace Byers and Keturah A. Bobo.

When a girl is asked where she's from--where she's really from--none of her answers seems to be the right one.

Unsure about how to reply, she turns to her loving abuelo for help. He doesn't give her the response she expects. She gets an even better one.

Where am I from?

You're from hurricanes and dark storms, and a tiny singing frog that calls the island people home when the sun goes to sleep....

With themes of self-acceptance, identity, and home, this powerful, lyrical picture book will resonate with readers young and old, from all backgrounds and of all colors--especially anyone who ever felt that they don't belong.

2019 Nerdies Fiction Picture Book Award Winner Silver Medalist for Bank Street College of Education's Best Spanish Language Picture Books of the Year Named one of Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2019 A Mighty Girl's 2019 Book of the Year Named one of New York Public Library's Best Books for Kids 2019

"Lyrical language and luminous illustrations. An ideal vehicle for readers to ponder and discuss their own identities." --Kirkus (starred review)

"An enchanted, hand-in-hand odyssey [and] opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the many, many backgrounds, roots, histories, of those who live in these United States." --Shelf Awareness (starred review)

"A much-needed title that is a first purchase for libraries and classrooms." --School Library Journal

"This touching book addresses a ubiquitous question for children of color, and in the end, the closeness between the girl and Abuelo shows that no matter the questions, she knows exactly where she's from." --Booklist

"Although the book begins as a gentle riposte to narrow cultural and ethnic categorizations, its conclusion reaches out to all readers, evoking both heritage and the human family." --Publishers Weekly

A Spanish-language edition, De dónde eres?, is also available.

Author: Yamile Saied Méndez
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 06/04/2019
Pages: 40
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.84lbs
Size: 8.60h x 10.20w x 0.40d
ISBN: 9780062839930
Audience: Ages 4-8

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 3
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Lower Grade
Quiz #/Name: 505847 / Where Are You From?


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 03/25/2019
Kirkus Reviews 04/15/2019 pg. 110
Booklist 05/15/2019 pg. 61
School Library Journal 06/01/2019 pg. 65
Shelf Awareness 06/21/2019
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2019 - Recommended, Satisfactory