The Distance Between Us in MCLS Reading Challenge

Apr 15, 2018 Stephanie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: nonfiction, reviewed, memoir

So powerful and impactful! I probably would not have picked this one up except that it was chosen as a "Rochester Reads" book. That means our whole city was encouraged to read it, and then the author came to town for several days of events. Reyna came to speak to speak at my library, and I really wanted to read it and meet her. Boy, am I glad I did! My husband comes from a Mexican family with an immigrant father. I felt a greater understanding for what he and they went through from reading about ...more

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Mar 29, 2018 Mary Jo rated it it was amazing

In this heartbreaking and lovely memoir, Reyna Grande details growing up in poverty in Mexico, her eventual frightening border crossing to the United States, and her struggles to learn English and endure the discrimination she faced as an undocumented immigrant. Her alcoholic father beat her, and her mother constantly left her behind. However, her older sister was her protector, and her maternal grandmother loved and cared for her as best she could. Eventually, Reyna becomes the first in her fam ...more

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Jun 04, 2018 Bridget rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: books-read-in-2018

This was the Rochester Reads selection for this year. I had the opportunity to hear the author read from her book and answer reader questions, which was great. Reyna Grande was a gracious and interesting speaker. Her book is a testament to perseverance and how education can change a life.

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