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We Were Here

by Matt de la Pena (Goodreads Author)

4.06 of 5 stars 4.06 · rating details · 679 ratings · 162 reviews

The story of one boy and his journey to find himself.

When it happened, Miguel was sent to Juvi. The judge gave him a year in a group home—said he had to write in a journal so some counselor could try to figure out how he thinks. The judge had no idea that he actually did Miguel a favor. Ever since it happened, his mom can’t even look at him in the face. Any home besides hi...more

Hardcover, 368 pages

Published October 13th 2009 by Delacorte Press (first published October 5th 2009)

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Lists with This Book

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird by Christopher Sergel

YA Books With Minorities

31st out of 165 books — 100 voters

2010 ALA Best Books for Young Adults

59th out of 96 books — 341 voters

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Dec 12, 2009 Elizabeth rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: teens who like real-life situational novels

Shelves: teen, wishlist

This is one of the best teen fiction book I've read this year (2009); a great book for reluctant readers. This is a coming-of-age story about Miguel, a teenager from Bakersfield who gets sent to a group home in San Jose, CA. after committing a crime he can't bring himself to talk about. He and two other teens (memorable characters all) run away from the group home in hopes of going to Mexico to build new lives there.

This book has a powerful, gripping, honest narration from the perspective of Mi...more

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Jun 02, 2013 Jack Y. rated it 5 of 5 stars

When the event happened, nothing was the same for Miguel, the main character of We Were Here by Matt De La Peña. A judge put Miguel in a juvenile home after a terrible crime, and sentenced him to write his thoughts in a journal so the counselor could figure out how his mind worked. The judge didn’t know that he was doing Miguel a favor. After the horrible night, his relationship with his mother was changed forever, and she couldn’t even look him in the face. According to Miguel, anywhere but his...more When the event happened, nothing was the same for Miguel, the main character of We Were Here by Matt De La Peña. A judge put Miguel in a juvenile home after a terrible crime, and sentenced him to write his thoughts in a journal so the counselor could figure out how his mind worked. The judge didn’t know that he was doing Miguel a favor. After the horrible night, his relationship with his mother was changed forever, and she couldn’t even look him in the face. According to Miguel, anywhere but his house would’ve been better to live in. On his journey he met new friends along the way, and those friends pressured him to escape from the juvenile home. Miguel decided that he could start a new life in Mexico and forget everything that happened. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out the way Miguel planned them to be.
The ideas that the author was trying to convey to us are the main themes that many face in life. Matt wanted to prove when kids live in rough neighborhoods life sometimes doesn’t work out for them. Matt also wanted to show that many kids today face challenges, and feel like they’re on the run. The author’s style was another element that impressed me. With the surprise twist at the end of the novel of how Miguel first got into the Juvenile home, bits and pieces of flashbacks foreshadowed his crime which made the novel extremely exciting. I enjoyed the characters’ development in the novel, especially Miguel’s. Miguel’s personality developed after his long journey running away from cops to figuring how he was going to supply food for himself. My recommendation of this novel would be to the average American or to someone who is struggling in life. For the average American it shows how difficult someone’s life could be, and for someone who is struggling it shows them a spark of light that there is still hope for them to correct the mistakes that they have made. So if you’re looking for a page turner novel that has the average day, escaped, and juvenile teenager, then this novel is right up your alley.
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May 19, 2013 July Garza rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Matt de la Peña has done it again. I was blown away by this novel. The book starts off with not “Chapter One” but “May 13” so right off the bat you know that this isn't a book this is someone's journal, someone's personal thoughts all binded together. Throughout the first couple of pages you realize the main character Miguel has done something horrible, bad enough that it put him in front of a judge; but it is not said what he has done. As the author does in all of his books, he exposes the read...more Matt de la Peña has done it again. I was blown away by this novel. The book starts off with not “Chapter One” but “May 13” so right off the bat you know that this isn't a book this is someone's journal, someone's personal thoughts all binded together. Throughout the first couple of pages you realize the main character Miguel has done something horrible, bad enough that it put him in front of a judge; but it is not said what he has done. As the author does in all of his books, he exposes the reader to the main character by telling them every detail to their life except the one specific reason they are stuck in the situation they are in. The judge sentences Miguel to a year in a group home and says that he must right in a journal so a counselor can figure out what’s going through his head. Miguel thought he got off easy, but of course that didn't matter to his mom, she wouldn't talk nor look at him.

Miguel's first day at the group home the man in charge, Jaden, introduces him to the other residents. And It doesn't go so well as for Miguel gets into a scuffle with one of the other residents, Mong, the Chinese kid with the shaved head. Miguel realizes there is something different with his kid, he wasn't much bigger than Miguel but was serious about fighting; he had a crazy look to him and a little smile that Miguel described as made him look psycho. But shortly after this encounter with Mong, Miguel decides that during his time in the group home he just wants to get his time done and keep to himself.

One night Miguel was sound asleep in his bed and he was unexpectedly awoken by Mong, hovering over him at the side of his bed, smiling. Although Miguel was terrified because of all the stories he had heard about Mong, he tried to keep his cool. “Go on and do it, Mong. I don’t even care. It doesn't matter.” And shortly after Among walks away. Miguel thought this was weird, especially because Mong had the chance but didn't do anything.

Days go by and eventually weeks, but nothing really exciting happens in the group home. Miguel does his chores like all the other residents but since it’s summer there is a lot of downtime, so he chooses to pass his time by reading books and figures by the time he’s done reading all the books on the shelf he’ll be done with his time and be smart as hell, so he says. It’s a night like any other but then it happens again, Miguel is awoken to Mong hovering over him at his bed. But this time he isn't scared. Then Mong speaks, he tells Miguel that he will be leaving the group home in a week and that he wants Miguel to tag along. At first Miguel thinks this is crazy, him and the kid practically want to kill each other and he ask him to go to Mexico with him? The answer was no. There was no way Miguel wanted to go out of the country with some psycho schizophrenic.

Throughout the week Miguel puts a lot of thought into leaving and he makes the bold decisions of tagging along and bringing his roommate Rondell. Before they leave Miguel steals $750 from the group home and their on their way. The three boys set off on this journey not really knowing what to expect, and trusting Chinese Mong with their lives. Mong has it all planned on how they are going to Mexico but of course everything doesn't always go as planned. Throughout their journey they run into too many bumps in the road, they end up broke, starving, and just wanting to give up. But they pull through rough times by stealing, fighting, and breaking laws; all for what? To get to Mexico.

I also don’t want to fail to mention that during their long adventure they run into some kids from another book of Matt De La Pena’s, “Ball Don’t Lie.” I really liked this because I read Ball Don’t Lie and it was interesting to see characters from two different books connecting.

Reading the last few pages it already obvious Miguel isn't the type to talk about his feelings, he would just rather keep them all bottled up but one day he loses it and finally reveals the horrible thing he did to get sent away. The ending is a little unexpected but I myself was proud of the decisions Miguel made. I also love the way Miguel thinks, I would often catch myself re-reading a line or two just because I liked what he said so much. I actually read this book in two days, it was so good I just couldn't put down. I would recommend this book to anyone.(less)

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Jun 16, 2012 Mandy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: character, teen

Everyone thought it would be Diego, Miguel's older brother who ended up in Juvi or a group home. But it's not. Miguel thinks he can get through the simple sentence no problem, without talking to any of the other guys or the counselors. He's not into the "sharing" thing. Yet, when the crazy-eyed and angry Mong proposes a midnight escape to Mexico, Miguel joins him and brings his slightly-slow but powerful roommate Rondell Law. (That's Rondell with two "L"s.) They are an unlikely group: Mong- the...more

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Oct 17, 2011 Kaitlin rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ca-recommended-reading-for-students

If I could, I would give this book 2.5 stars. I am going with three stars, just because I loved all the self-reflection and growing Miguel does while writing in his journal. I grew up near Stockton and spent many nights on that Delta when I was a late teen. It was kind of fun reading about a place I knew. And I feel that the teenagers around here could definitely relate to something like that. I don't meant that teenagers not from around here could relate too, because they sure could. I also lov...more

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Jul 26, 2011 Kim Tomsic rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-read

In author Matt de la Peña's young adult book, WE WERE HERE, three troubled teens believe their crimes and the cost of their damage leave them with nothing left to lose. The boys, Miguel, Rondell and Mong, begin their relationship with spit and fists flying. But somehow this group of teens form an unlikely team and escape their group home to make a daring dash to Mexico. Along their journey of pain, humor, rejection, adventure, love and brutality they find friendship as well as some redeeming val...more

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Jun 20, 2011 Mrs. Foley rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is a Gateway nominee for 2011-2012. I really enjoyed De La Pena's book, Mexican WhiteBoy, and he didn't disappoint this time either. His characters do have a lot in their lives to deal with, but they feel so real and believable that you just know there are those everyday who are dealing with things as difficult or worse. It is a sad reality, but he always leaves hope.

Review from School Library Journal:
Miguel struggles to forgive himself for a tragic event that changed his life and his famil...more

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Feb 10, 2011 Danielle Larca rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult

"Your whole life, man, it can change in one minute." (p. 99)

No one knows this better than Miguel. One day he's living with his mom and brother, Diego, in their Stockton California home and the next he's in a group home with a bunch of stupid guys and a surfer dude counselor, Jaden, who keeps trying to talk to him about what happened. But Miguel can't talk about what happened. Not with Jaden; not with anyone. After getting in a fight with the skinny, bald dude named Mong, Miguel decides to steer...more

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Jun 16, 2010 Aaron rated it 4 of 5 stars

Miguel Castaneda takes on the role of narrator in a tale told through his own words. de la Pena's newest work is presented in the form of a court ordered journal being written by a Mexican-American teen who has found himself living at the Lighthouse, a group home for troubled boys. Each is there for their own reasons, but all of them have come through the courts.

Miguel is still reeling from what led to his own arrive at the Lighthouse. He turns toward the books in the home;s collection for socia...more Miguel Castaneda takes on the role of narrator in a tale told through his own words. de la Pena's newest work is presented in the form of a court ordered journal being written by a Mexican-American teen who has found himself living at the Lighthouse, a group home for troubled boys. Each is there for their own reasons, but all of them have come through the courts.

Miguel is still reeling from what led to his own arrive at the Lighthouse. He turns toward the books in the home;s collection for socialization and keeps primarily to himself. The only exceptions are Mong, an Asian teen with what appears to be severe violence and anger issues, and Rondell, an African American teen with great basketball skills who struggles with intellectual challenges due to his mother's drug addiction. The three find themselves pulled together, despite obvious difference.

When Mong decides to try and run away, he approaches Miguel about the possibility of joining him. Miguel takes him up on the offer, but only if Rondell can come along as well. Before long, the three are on the road, trying to make there way down to Mexico where they hope to find employment working at one of the holiday resorts so many American vactioners find themselves relaxing at.

As with most "road trip" tales, the story quickly transcends the obvious physical journey as the readers join the internal journey the characters take as they explore where they are in their lives and where they are going. For Miguel, it is largely about coming to terms with what led to his own incarceration. While the readers know it is tied to his older brother Diego, it is not until the end that they truly learn what happened. Unfortunately, it really isn't a major surprise at that point.

With that said, the journey is really what is important. Readers are introduced to three strong and troubled boys. Because of the violence they have been involved with, they would not normally be considered sympathetic, but de la Pena masterfully allows the reader to experience their lives and the troubles that really placed them at a disadvantage. While their experiences (and the characters themselves) do not excuse their actions, the reader cannot help but connect with them and even hope for the best for each of them.

Mong, Rondell, and Miguel are all very real kids. They speak in the harsh language that is realistic of their world, but they are also filled with honest human emotion. Readers cannot help but wonder what might have been different for each of them had they been a part of a much friendlier world.

Their journey is a troubled one as they deal with running out of food, being tricked by other teens, and continually skirting the right and the wrong of the law. In some cases, these tangential subplots lead for a book much longer than it needs to be in order to tell the story, which will likely turn many interested readers away. Those willing to take the challenge of the many pages will be rewarded with an amazing tale, though one that seems to not really tie up the realities of what will happen to the boys when they reach their ultimate destination. The important thing is that each has come to terms with their own lives, and that is really what this journey is all about.(less)

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Jan 19, 2013 Dana rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult-literature

"...makes me think there's pretty much no reason to be alive, because everything you can or will do has already been done by at least ten thousand other people already. And if you're not original then what the hell are you alive for, man?" (70).

"'Maybe boring isn't so bad compared to other stuff that could happen'" (89).

"'Sometimes I wonder if growing up isn't the saddest thing that can happen to a person'" (89).

"...it's not even that your life changes because of what you did, I don't think...Pe...more

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Dec 28, 2012 Nicole rated it 4 of 5 stars

When I first started this book I was very weary on how I was going to feel about it. I wasn't a huge fan of the language of the narrator. I find when the author writes with slang words I get annoyed really easily. However, I was able to overlook this and read the book for what it is.

This is a story of a boy, Miguel, who is sentenced to a group home. While in that group home he is told that he has to keep a journal so the court can read it and see what his mental state is like. While in the grou...more

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May 23, 2012 Ann rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: coming-of-age, ya

You know from the start that Miguel did something really really wrong -- why else will his mother not look at him, or even hug him good bye when she drops him off at the Juvi Group Home. After an intense confrontation with crazy Mong, Miguel decides not to even try to make friends at the home, but he does take advantage of the bookcase of books, and starts to spend his spare time reading in his room. Somehow he earns the respect of Mong, and when Mong decides it is time to leave the group home,...more

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Jul 28, 2010 Diane Ferbrache rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult

Story of a Hispanic teen who has done something terrible enough to be sentenced to a group home. Told in journal format, it's very interesting so far. Miguel's voice is very authentic.
Miguel is content to be left alone to serve his sentence, but he is haunted by what happened and why his mother couldn't even bear to look at him and say goodbye. When given the chance, he escapes with a couple of fellow residents. The plan is to get to Mexico and start a new life. The reality of life on the road...more

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Jul 16, 2010 Jessi rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: general-fiction, teen

Summary: Haunted by the event that sentenced him to time in a group home, Miguel breaks out with two unlikely companions and together they begin their journey down the California coast hoping to get to Mexico and a new life. -- JCPL website

I saw de la Pena speak at the 2010 Teen Literature Conference and found him adorable and hilarious. So, I picked up his newest book. I enjoyed the story. It definitly delves into some deep, philosophical topics about why we exist. Miguel was an interesting mai...more

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Aug 05, 2009 Abby rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: teen

Reviewed for work, but this review reflects my personal, not professional opinion, of this book. We Were Here is the journal of Miguel Castenada, who has been sent to live in a group home for something terrible that he did -- something so terrible he can't even think about it, let alone talk about what happened with anyone else. (Of course, any reader who has read a few "troubled teen" books will be able to pretty much figure out what happened after reading less than 30 pages of this book). At t...more Reviewed for work, but this review reflects my personal, not professional opinion, of this book. We Were Here is the journal of Miguel Castenada, who has been sent to live in a group home for something terrible that he did -- something so terrible he can't even think about it, let alone talk about what happened with anyone else. (Of course, any reader who has read a few "troubled teen" books will be able to pretty much figure out what happened after reading less than 30 pages of this book). At the home he meets Mong, a scrawny Chinese teen who may or may not be psychotic, who manages to convince Miguel, along with Rondell, a developmentally disabled black teen whom Miguel first met in juvie, to run away with him to Mexico. The three take off, heading down the California coast on a journey that takes more than one unexpected turn and leads Miguel to places he never thought he'd travel.

I had VERY mixed feelings while reading this book. Miguel is a great character with an extremely compelling voice. If there is one reason to read this book, it is for Miguel's thoughts and observations of the world he lives in and experiences on his journeys with Mong & Rondell. Unfortunately, not all of de le Pena's characters are as fully realized as Miguel. I was deeply troubled by the author's characterization of Rondell -- who literally embodies almost every single negative stereotype associated with African Americans in our culture. Rondell is described as hulking, slow-witted, illiterate, sentimental, superstitious and prone to inexplicable bursts of violence. Oh but wait -- he does have some good qualities -- he is an AMAZING basketball player! And he is incredibly trusting and loyal. I think de la Pena does strive to make Rondell a sympathetic and likeable character, for whom Miguel grows to feel real respect and affection by the end of the book. But the fact that he is likeable doesn't outweigh the fact that his character is first defined and continues to be characterized by these negative traits that have a particularly racialized and very fraught history. By the middle of the book, I felt like I was reading a modern day version of Huck Finn, with Rondell reprising the role of Jim, Miguel as a hybrid of Huck/Tom Sawyer, and the setting moved from the banks of the Mississippi to the beaches of California.

Beyond that issue, which pretty much colored my feelings about the entire book, I found some of the later plot developments rather unbelievable and hokey. Despite these reservations, I will probably recommend this book to some teens -- see my professional review for more on that. (less)

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Feb 21, 2013 Jessica Willard rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Wow. What a book that utterly and totally took me by surprise.

When I first start reading books for teens where the author attempts to give a realistic "voice" to the character depending on that character's gender, ethnicity, or anything similar, I am always skeptical on how they are going to pull it off. Replacing "look" with "peeped" through me for a loop and I was getting ready to start pulling away from this book....and then it happened. I fell madly and completely in love with Miguel's char...more

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May 14, 2012 Kevin Craig rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed

This review is from my review site: http://trythisbookonforsize.blogspot.ca/

‘People always think there’s this huge hundred-foot-high barrier that separates doing good from doing bad. But there’s not. There’s nothing. There’s not even a little anthill. You just take one baby step in any direction and you’re already there. You’ve done something awful. And your life is changed forever.’ ~ Matt de la Peña, We Were Here

This is one of the best young adult books I have ever read. Scratch that. This is...more

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Sep 14, 2012 Jesus rated it 5 of 5 stars

The book " we were here " deserves the the five stars because it had it all excitement, tension ,and reality. The character detail was amazing showing characters thought and feelings. It had an a great story lieng with some dramatic outcomes. Tells the whole story of how miguel,rondell,and Ming are in the run heading towards Mexico. Shows detail but important life events that made them who they are. Shows how because of their name they are who they are , yet so different.
“People always think th...more

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Feb 14, 2012 Brian Sanchez rated it 5 of 5 stars

Miguel is sentenced to a year in a group home. A group home where he will meet Mong and Rondell, the two people who will help him flee to Mexico. Mexico was the only thing he was thinking about. A new, fresh start. Where he will manage to experience things on his own. "We Were Here" by Matt de la Pena, promotes one of many things, teen of today are and will go through in life.

Freedom from everything, is what's on every man's list. A place where the only people they are responsible for, is themse...more

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Jun 16, 2011 Anne rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, realistic-fiction, young-adult

Miguel is sent to juvie for *something* (you don't find out what until the end of the book). While there he has to write a journal by order of the judge. This book is his journal account. In juvie, he meets 2 other boys and they decide to run away and go to Mexico. While on their "road trip", there is much soul searching and self-discovery, exactly as the judge intended, I would guess. It would be hard to find 3 less likely kids to hang out together, so there are some interesting moments as they...more

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Aug 22, 2012 Michael Artin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Update: Okay, I just finished this. Man, this is a beautiful book. I upped my star rating -- really, one of the best books I've read this year. I am in awe of the central relationships in this book. Along with being funny and moving and all those typical words, they struck me as so genuine and distinctive you could taste it. I like a lot of characters in a lot of books, but I'm not one to talk about missing a character when the book is done. I'll miss these guys.

This is an excellent book. I star...more

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Jun 29, 2009 Hayden rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult, african-american, alcohol, asian-american, crime, faith, foster-care, guy-book, high-low, immigrant, latino, reluctant-reader, teen, tragedy

Wow. Best teen book I've read this year, for sure.

Miguel has done something so horrible that not only can he not talk about it to anyone else, he makes sure he never thinks about it. Sentenced to stint in a group home, he meets Rondell, an enormous African American who is somewhat developmentally disabled, and Mong, an apparently psychotic Chinese kid.

Because he can't think of any reason not to, Miguel agrees to Mong's escape plan, and the three of them set off on a journey to Mexico, while Migu...more

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Apr 04, 2011 Sarah rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Sometimes I have to finish reading books because I'm supposed to, and this was one of those cases. I know de la Pena is popular with teenage boys--I know that. But I just couldn't get into this one. It seemed too long and my attention kept wandering so I had to skim to get through it and to move onto another book.

Miguel is in trouble and ordered to live at a group home. We're not exactly sure what he did, but we know it's bad because he won't talk about it to anybody. Eventually he runs away fro...more

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Feb 23, 2011 Jane rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: realistic-fiction, young-adult

This book deserves a 5 for the character of Miguel. But...I would not have finished it had I not been working through my daughter's reading list for a YA fiction course. The rest of characters were far, far too dysfunctional, as if the author wanted to include every bad thing that could happen to kids and push them into the criminal justice system. And, for that kind of book, it is at least 100 pages too long. I guessed the "big revelation" in the first thirty pages and started skimming after pa...more

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Mar 09, 2010 Susan P rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-fiction

Miguel has committed a terrible crime. So terrible that his family has shunned him. He is sent to a group home but finds it hard to fit in b/c he is so different from most of the boys who are locked up with him. He and two others run away from the group home after stealing about $700 from their petty cash envelope. The money enables them to eat and travel, but the events that occur during this time prove life altering for all three teens.

I figured out what Miguel had done very early on, and I th...more

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Jul 01, 2010 Nancy rated it 4 of 5 stars

What is the terrible act that Miguel committed to land himself in a year of juvenile detention? Miguel is also sentenced to write a journal during the year to think about his actions. In Juvi, Miguel meets psycho Mong and slow Rondell. Through Mong's urging, they escape and start of journey down the coast of California with the intention of living in Mexico where no one will know them or their pasts. Gritty, at times violent, and very self-reflective, this is Mat de la Pena's best novel so far....more

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Apr 15, 2010 laaaaames rated it 4 of 5 stars

The thing I like most about Matt de la Pena's writing is how devoted he is to finding the humanity in everyone. The good, the bad, the horrifying, the shameful, the terrible truths we hold deep, the wonderful joys we're capable of. I love how much vulnerability he injects into his male characters in this refreshingly real way, so much so that I want women who write boy POVs in YA to study him. Teenage boys truly aren't all dick jokes and sarcasm and apathy.

Also, when people talk about journeys a...more

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Jun 07, 2011 Mrs. Kirsch rated it 2 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Apr 15, 2011 Beth Dailey Kenneth rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: african-american, vsba2010, ya-fic

This book really drug in the middle. Although the main character had a great voice I had SERIOUS ISSUE with the primarily negative racial character traits given to the African American character Rondell. He was described as: hulking, slow-witted, illiterate, sentimental, superstitous, religious, violent and OF COURSE a great basketball player. *sigh*

Yes, I know. They are kids that have been in juvie and are now in a group home but did he really have to have EVERY negative stereotype given to hi...more

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Aug 10, 2010 Elizabeth B rated it 4 of 5 stars

Before I start, let me clarify the low rating so as to not to deter any potential readers: This book is nominated for an Arkansas Teen Award and I was reading it specifically for this reason. The story itself is a remarkable one – a bit of the Outsiders mixed with every on the road saga I’ve ever read. Miguel is a strong lead character that jumps off the page not for his criminal acts or his redemption but more for the way in which he looks at the world around him. Rather than descriptions of hi...more Before I start, let me clarify the low rating so as to not to deter any potential readers: This book is nominated for an Arkansas Teen Award and I was reading it specifically for this reason. The story itself is a remarkable one – a bit of the Outsiders mixed with every on the road saga I’ve ever read. Miguel is a strong lead character that jumps off the page not for his criminal acts or his redemption but more for the way in which he looks at the world around him. Rather than descriptions of himself, what is most poignant about him is the way in which he views the world around him. His relationship with Mong is so combative at the start and later (after Mong’s revelation) he doesn’t’ really apologize for his original feelings about Mong but instead, adjusts his life view without apology. I think this is what appealed to me most about his character. It was Rondell (two LL’s!) that I loved the most. I know he was what most would consider a sideline or comic character but it was Rondell that I grew to love. Rondell never changed throughout the story which provided a great way to measure the changes seen in Miguel. Rondell was slow, loyal and loveable even knowing he was in a group home for criminals. It made it easy to side with him and hope that (no matter what occurred to anyone else) I rooted for him to come out on top. Mong, I liked least but only because I think Mong deserves a book entirely of his own. His decisions regarding crime, escape, and his final decision of the book (and the reason behind that decision) are explored only so far as they relate to Miguel (as they should since its Miguel’s story) but I felt that Mong was the character whom I really wanted to read more about. It was through his eyes that I would have liked to seen this story written. I think Mong has a much bigger, much more life impacting story to tell than Miguel did.

This is undoubtedly a 4 star book. It has the elements that everyone looks for in teen literature and encompasses every ethnic group imaginable so they no one will feel left out. It has the coming of age, gritty feel of teen classics from the 70’s and 80’s that I miss in current releases. It’s true writing as opposed to the formula fiction I see so much of nowadays.

So…why didn’t I rate it higher? Because I live in Arkansas. Because I’m reviewing it specifically for a teen book award. This book deserves to be on the ALA best list and win whatever other awards at the National level it is eligible for. Unfortunately, this is not a book that is really befitting of an Arkansas book award. The composition of the book, the gritty nature of it, the setting, and the characters themselves are not relatable to the majority of Arkansas teens. It’s only in this regard, and no other, with which I could find fault in this book.
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About Matt de la Pena

Matt de la Peña’s debut novel, Ball Don’t Lie, was an ALA-YALSA Best Book for Young Adults and an ALA-YALSA Quick Pick and is soon to be released as a motion picture starring Ludacris, Nick Cannon, Emelie de Ravin, Grayson Boucher, and Rosanna Arquette (based on the screenplay he co-wrote with director Brin Hill). de la Peña’s second novel, Mexican WhiteBoy, was an ALA-YALSA Best Book for Young Ad...more

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Books by Matt de la Pena

A Nation's Hope: The Story of Boxing Legend Joe Louis

Curse of the Ancients (Infinity Ring #4)

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Quotes from We Were Here

“But when you read books you almost feel like you're out there in the world. Like you're going on this adventure right with the main character. At least, that's the way I do it. It's actually not that bad. Even if it is mad nerdy.” — 19 people liked it

“People always think there's this huge hundred-foot-high barrier that separates doing good from doing bad. But there's not. There's nothing. There's not even a little anthill. You just take one baby step in any direction and you're already there. You've doing something awful. And your life is changed forever.” — 8 people liked it

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We Were Here

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