Reviews

Where Are You From? by Yamile Saied Méndez

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joshgauthier's review against another edition

4.0

My lackluster Spanish only went so far while reading this, but with beautiful artwork, Mendez and Kim build from racial micro-aggressions and childhood uncertainty about identity into a lovely celebration of family, culture, heritage, and self-worth.

jennreads69's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Helped heal my inner child. A warm cup of hot chocolate.

laurenpedersen's review against another edition

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3.0

In our multi-cultural world it is important to remember it is more appropriate to ask someone “what is your family heritage?” than to ask “where are you from?” In this story you are led to believe the little girl is an American who’s heritage is quite varied. She asks her grandfather to help her understand where she is from because so many people ask her. He uses poetry to describe that she is from lands far and wide but ultimately she is from his heart “from my love and the love of all those before us.” While a very sweet story, it would require an adult to interpret because the author eludes to various South American and and possibly Polynesian locales as well as utilizes English and Spanish and references Senõr Cielo, which I had to look up. It could be a reference to God or heaven, but it might also be a reference to a myth about a cyclops in the sky.