Embedded Files
Where Are You From?
Where Are You From?
After experiences that make her feel she doesn't belong in her community, the main character learns about her diverse cultural heritage from her grandfather. They reflect on how the people she loves, and her ancestors, contribute to who she is today. Use this text to learn about the cultural backgrounds represented in your classroom and family relationships. Remember that culture includes race, ethnicity, ideas, customs, social behaviors and more. Discuss respectful ways to build friendships that include valuing the experiences and beliefs of one another. This story makes visible what many experience as being treated as the "perpetual foreigner."
From the publisher: 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. 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. 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.
Questions for families to discuss:
Questions for families to discuss:
Has someone asked you where you are from? How did you respond? How did it make you feel?
Sometimes "Where are you from?' is a welcomed question from a friend. Sometimes it makes us feel funny, like people think we don't belong. How can we be careful to ask questions about people's lives in a respectful way?
What strengths have you developed as a result of your connection to certain places? (Maybe you enjoy spicy foods from the country your grandmother grew up in. Maybe you have developed an appreciation for diversity because the school you attend has children from many different backgrounds, etc.)
When the main character asks for help from her abuelo, she gets much more than an answer. Can you think of elders in your life who you learn a lot from? What have you learned from them?
Learning Goals (The Social Justice Standards):
Learning Goals (The Social Justice Standards):
Students will develop positive social identities based on their membership in multiple groups in society. (Identity 1)
Students will express pride, confidence and healthy self-esteem without denying the value and dignity of other people. (Identity 4)
Students will respectfully express curiosity about the history and lived experiences of others and will exchange ideas and beliefs in an open-minded way. (Diversity 8)
Students will respond to diversity by building empathy, respect, understanding and connection. (Diversity 9)
Go here to learn more about the Learning Goals, The Social Justice Standards
Listen to the Author read the story
Listen to the Author read the story
Learn more about the Author
Learn more about the Author
More resources for families:
More resources for families:
Resource for Adult learning: https://hbr.org/2020/10/whats-wrong-with-asking-where-are-you-from
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