Teaching Borderless

Borderless is the gripping story of Maya, a Guatemalan high schooler with a passion for “trashion,” deep love and loyalty toward her country and her Mama, and a typical teenage  desire for independence. When gang violence escalates in Maya’s neighborhood, Maya is forced to leave her beloved home to seek asylum in the United States. The storytelling style, rich imagery, authentic teen voices, and dilemmas will invite young readers to identify with Maya and confront the complex realities of the US asylum system through her perspective. 

The themes of this novel align with Facing History’s Borders & Belonging ELA Collection. We’ve created this planning guide to support your school community in small-group, whole-class, or schoolwide reading and discussion. The discussion questions are designed to spark critical thinking and conversations around issues of fitting in and belonging, choices and stereotypes, migration, love, and resilience.

Learn about using this title in an All Community Read on the theme of Borders & Belonging.