Embedded Files
The Distance Between Us
by Reyna Grande
This resource was created by Angela Dancheva, a current Teacher Librarian in Santa Clara Unified School District and Innovation Lab Coordinator of the California School Library Association (CSLA).
Purpose: The curriculum text set aims to promote awareness and understanding of the immigrant experience and to inspire young learners to take action against xenophobia and bigotry affecting immigrant communities. The materials were compiled for a Grade 9 English Language Arts classroom; however, the main text is suitable for grade levels 7-9 and is classified at a Lexile level of 890L. All materials can be modified as needed to provide differentiated support for students. A Spanish edition, La Distancia Entre Nosotros, is also available.
The Distance Between Us is a personal memoir by Reyna Grande, chronicling her journey as a young girl living in México who is forced to grow up in poor conditions and struggles to live with (and without) her family. Her father seeks work across the U.S.-México border in the "Land of the Free," hoping to provide for his wife and children when unforeseen events lead him to start a new family in America. After a long absence, he returns with a big surprise: Reyna's new baby sister, Betty. As Reyna and her younger brother, Carlos, learn to accept their new sister, the relationship between their mother and father come to an explosive end. Seeing a way out of poverty, Reyna agrees to go with her father to the United States and endures the long, painful journey of crossing the border. The story follows Reyna and her siblings as they settle into their new home in Los Ángeles and navigate a new culture and way of life. Through setbacks, neglect, poverty, and hardships, Reyna must grapple with her new identity as an undocumented immigrant trying to make a name for herself and her family.
Guiding Question: How does Reyna Grande’s experience as an undocumented minor fleeing from México to live in the United States illustrate the trials and tribulations of the immigrant experience?
Themes: Immigration, xenophobia, poverty, culture, assimilation, diaspora, struggles, setbacks, perseverance, family dynamics, identity, sacrifice, hope, displacement, code-switching, belonging, community, injustice, self-discovery, goals and ambitions, trauma, womanhood, coming-of-age, class privilege, racial privilege, sexism, racism, politics, misogyny, generational trauma.
"I learned that bravery is not the absence of fear, but the courage to move forward despite it." — Reyna Grande
Guiding Question: How does Reyna Grande’s experience as an undocumented minor fleeing from México to live in the United States illustrate the trials and tribulations of the immigrant experience?
Themes: Immigration, xenophobia, poverty, culture, assimilation, diaspora, struggles, setbacks, perseverance, family dynamics, identity, sacrifice, hope, displacement, code-switching, belonging, community, injustice, self-discovery, goals and ambitions, trauma, womanhood, coming-of-age, class privilege, racial privilege, sexism, racism, politics, misogyny, generational trauma.
"I learned that bravery is not the absence of fear, but the courage to move forward despite it." — Reyna Grande
Essential Question(s):
How do poems, personal narratives, and other literary works by immigrants reveal the complexities of their unique identities? What social, political, and economic factors shape the lived experiences depicted in these works?
How do poems, personal narratives, and other literary works by immigrants reveal the complexities of their unique identities? What social, political, and economic factors shape the lived experiences depicted in these works?
[FICTION] Fabiola Toussaint, a young Haitian teenager, relocates to Detroit, Michigan, with her mother in pursuit of the "American Dream." Upon arrival, their hopes are shattered when her mother is detained by U.S. immigration authorities, leaving Fabiola to face their worst nightmare alone. Forced to navigate a new country while uncertain about her mother's safety, Fabiola moves in with her cousins and quickly learns about the dangers of West Side Detroit. Struggling to survive and assimilate into American culture, she wrestles with her identity while seeking to build a sense of community and home. Amidst these challenges, Fabiola remains determined to reunite with her mother and pursue the "American Dream."
Guiding Question: How do factors such as race, socioeconomic status, and gender impact Fabiola's access to opportunities and support in the United States?
Guiding Question: How do factors such as race, socioeconomic status, and gender impact Fabiola's access to opportunities and support in the United States?
[ARTICLE] The article titled "What is Xenophobia?" published in Teen Vogue examines the history and concept of xenophobia, exploring how the past has shaped current U.S. politics surrounding immigration. The article highlights how propaganda, politics, and misinformation have led to the scapegoating of immigrants throughout history, with each immigrant group targeted in different ways. Ultimately, Latifi acknowledges the rise of xenophobia in recent years and empowers readers to take action by offering ways to combat bigotry towards immigrants.
Guiding Question: What is xenophobia and how have historical and contemporary events contributed to xenophobia in the United States?
Guiding Question: What is xenophobia and how have historical and contemporary events contributed to xenophobia in the United States?
"Xenophobia & Anti-Immigrant Extremism: From Fringe to Mainstream"by Elizabeth Yates, Erin E. Wilson, and Hanah Stiverson
[WHITE PAPER/REPORT] In "Xenophobia & Anti-Immigrant Extremism: From Fringe to Mainstream," Human Rights First details the evolution of anti-immigrant extremism in the United States, tracing its roots from the nation's inception to its current mainstream presence. It explores how social anxieties, public misperceptions, and disinformation are fueled by extremist ideologies to dehumanize immigrants, especially people of color. Supported and backed by policies and political figures, the article reveals the dangers of bigotry and its impact on communities and democracy.
Guiding Question: How have politicians normalized and contributed to the rise of xenophobia in the United States?
Guiding Question: How have politicians normalized and contributed to the rise of xenophobia in the United States?
[POEM] In "Second Attempt Crossing," Javier Zamora recounts his traumatic, life-changing experience of having journeyed through miles of desert and extreme heat with a group of immigrants led by a smuggler, commonly referred to as coyote in Spanish. Through vivid imagery and detailed descriptions, Zamora captures the fear, physical exhaustion, desperation, and life-threatening sacrifices immigrants endure when fleeing their homelands. The poem highlights the immense dangers and profound sacrifices made by those who seek a better life.
Guiding Question: How does Zamora use imagery and other rhetorical devices to capture the experiences of immigrants who risk their lives fleeing from home in search of better opportunities?
Guiding Question: How does Zamora use imagery and other rhetorical devices to capture the experiences of immigrants who risk their lives fleeing from home in search of better opportunities?
Essential Question(s):
How are individuals psychologically and emotionally impacted by immigration? What pressures do immigrants face as they strive to survive and preserve their cultural identity while adapting to a new society?
How are individuals psychologically and emotionally impacted by immigration? What pressures do immigrants face as they strive to survive and preserve their cultural identity while adapting to a new society?
[MINI DOCUMENTARY] L.A. Times reporters and their cameras follow Gaspar Marcos, a young teen who fled a violent coup d'état and poverty in his native country, Honduras, to seek opportunity and safety in the United States. This eight-minute documentary provides a glimpse into Gaspar's daily life, highlighting his struggles, challenges, and determination to succeed.
Guiding Question: What influences or factors motivate Gaspar to persevere despite the obstacles he faces as an unaccompanied minor?
Guiding Question: What influences or factors motivate Gaspar to persevere despite the obstacles he faces as an unaccompanied minor?
[TED TALK] Chantale Zuzi Leader, a young refugee from Congo, recounts her harrowing experience of escaping gunfire as her siblings fled their village. They found temporary refuge in the forest, only to return at sunrise to discover their parents had been killed. Chantale describes the pain, sorrow, will to survive, and hope that have shaped her journey as a refugee seeking asylum abroad.
Guiding Question: How does Chantale cope with the traumatic events of losing her parents to political violence and becoming a refugee, leaving her homeland in order to survive?
Guiding Question: How does Chantale cope with the traumatic events of losing her parents to political violence and becoming a refugee, leaving her homeland in order to survive?
[SONG] In a 2019 interview, Reyna Grande shared that one of the first songs she listened to in the United States was "You're All I Need" by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. Written in 1968, the song captures the love and support between two people. For many immigrants, the relationships and support they provide to loved ones serve as an inspiration to persist, no matter what obstacles or challenges they may face.
Guiding Questions: How can music help immigrants connect with others and find comfort in songs that express their sentiments and experiences?
Guiding Questions: How can music help immigrants connect with others and find comfort in songs that express their sentiments and experiences?
Essential Question(s):
What actions and strategies can community members take to protect immigrants from xenophobia and bigotry? How can literature, storytelling, and artwork raise awareness and build understanding and empathy for immigrants?
What actions and strategies can community members take to protect immigrants from xenophobia and bigotry? How can literature, storytelling, and artwork raise awareness and build understanding and empathy for immigrants?
[BOOK CHAPTERS] In Chapter 1 of Karla Cornejo Villavicencio's nonfiction book, she introduces readers to her experience as an undocumented immigrant living in New York after 9/11. Chapters 4 and 5 are set in Miami and Cleveland, where Villavicencio details the experiences of other immigrants, highlighting issues such as wage exploitation, mental health struggles, and their efforts to fight back against a xenophobic system.
Guiding Question: What similarities and differences do immigrants from diverse cultural backgrounds share? In what ways are immigrants standing up to injustice?
Guiding Question: What similarities and differences do immigrants from diverse cultural backgrounds share? In what ways are immigrants standing up to injustice?
[NEWS CLIP] Undocumented immigrants inside the infamous ICE jail in Folkston, Georgia, united with outside protestors to demand the shutdown of the facility. Managed by a private corporation known as GEO Group, the facility has been exposed for inhumane and dangerous conditions that put the lives and health of detainees at risk.
Guiding Question: How are community members and organizations coming together to challenge and resist current U.S. immigration policies?
Guiding Question: How are community members and organizations coming together to challenge and resist current U.S. immigration policies?
Stories of Immigrants Through Artworkby We Are Home Campaign, The Immigration Hub, Emerson Collective, and Amplifier
[ART GALLERY] This unique online gallery features digital artwork created by immigrant artists from around across the United States. Users can read short biographies of the featured artists and freely download, redistribute, and share their artwork.
Guiding Question: How does the digital artwork reflect the personal experiences and cultural identities of the immigrant artists while conveying messages of resistance against bigotry?
Guiding Question: How does the digital artwork reflect the personal experiences and cultural identities of the immigrant artists while conveying messages of resistance against bigotry?
Additional Resources
©2024 The Mariposa Reading Project by Angela Dancheva
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