Review: Where Are You From?

Where Are You From?

Author: Yamile Saied Méndez

Illustrator: Jaime Kim

Published in 2019 by HarperCollins

Image Source: Jaime Kim

Where Are You From? is a poignant and touching story that lovingly addresses identity, heritage, and home. When a young girl is repeatedly asked where she is really from and feels lost for an answer in response to this microaggression, she turns to her Abuelo for guidance because “he knows everything, and like me, he looks like he doesn’t belong.” Abuelo offers his precious granddaughter love and affirmation in honoring that they are from the Pampas, the gaucho, the mountains, the warm, blue ocean, the hurricanes and dark storms, the grandmothers. They are “from this land where our ancestors built a home for all, even when they were in chains because of the color of their skin.” His answers honor their history and their ancestors, the hearts and souls that made this place their home. Warm watercolor and ink artwork magnificently champion the poetic, lyrical text to create a gorgeous, sensational story of family and belonging. This book is excellent for leading conversations about race and racial microaggressions.

Additional Resources:

• Author Yamile Saied Méndez website
• Meet author Yamile Saied Méndez
• Illustrator Jaime Kim website
• Meet illustrator Jaime Kim
• Discussion questions and extension activities
• “A letter from Yamile Saied Méndez, Author of Where Are You From?”
• Spanish language version ¿De dónde eres?