Teaching The Distance Between Us

In this vivid memoir, Reyna Grande documents her childhood in Iguala, Mexico, her crossing into the United States, her life as an undocumented child living in Los Angeles, and the role of books and writing in her life journey. Through her own and her siblings’ experiences, Grande explores the ways in which a range of borders—geographic, emotional, cultural, linguistic—can divide us, even within our own families. This story encourages readers to empathize with the experiences of Reyna and her siblings while critically examining the reasons a person or family would seek to cross borders and the narrative of what it means to be undocumented in the United States.

The themes of this memoir 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 migration, choices, home, family dynamics, and the power of storytelling.

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