Book Descriptions
for Areli Is a Dreamer by Areli Morales and Luisa Uribe
From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
Areli and her brother, Alex, live in Mexico with Abuela. Every Sunday they speak on the phone to their mama and papa, who live in the United States. Soon Alex moves to New York City to live with their parents, too; eventually, it’s Areli’s turn to join them. Leaving Abuela, her cousins, and friends isn’t easy for Areli; adjusting to life in the United States isn’t, either. One day a classmate calls her “illegal.” “I’m not against the law!” Areli insists when her mom explains what the word means. Her mom assures her that she isn’t, but also explains that Areli isn’t a U.S. citizen. Areli is afraid she’ll be taken back to Mexico and understands that she can’t tell anyone. As time passes she learns English, makes friends, and grows accustomed to the city. A fifth-grade class trip to Ellis Island helps Areli see that her own story of coming to America is part of something bigger, and she feels certain her future is bright. In a note that precedes the story, author Areli Morales explains that she was a DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipient in 2013, “finally able to come out of the shadows.” This straightforward, emotionally honest story about one undocumented immigrant child’s experience is set against digital illustrations in muted tones on matte pages. (Ages 5-9)
CCBC Choices 2022. © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 2022. Used with permission.
From the Publisher
In the first picture book written by a DACA Dreamer, Areli Morales tells her own powerful and vibrant immigration story.
When Areli was just a baby, her mama and papa moved from Mexico to New York with her brother, Alex, to make a better life for the family--and when she was in kindergarten, they sent for her, too.
Everything in New York was different. Gone were the Saturdays at Abuela’s house, filled with cousins and sunshine. Instead, things were busy and fast and noisy. Areli’s limited English came out wrong, and schoolmates accused her of being illegal. But with time, America became her home. And she saw it as a land of opportunity, where millions of immigrants who came before her paved their own paths. She knew she would, too.
This is a moving story--one that resonates with millions of immigrants who make up the fabric of our country--about one girl living in two worlds, a girl whose DACA application was eventually approved and who is now living her American dream.
The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is an immigration policy that has provided relief to thousands of undocumented children, referred to as “Dreamers,” who came to the United States as children and call this country home.
When Areli was just a baby, her mama and papa moved from Mexico to New York with her brother, Alex, to make a better life for the family--and when she was in kindergarten, they sent for her, too.
Everything in New York was different. Gone were the Saturdays at Abuela’s house, filled with cousins and sunshine. Instead, things were busy and fast and noisy. Areli’s limited English came out wrong, and schoolmates accused her of being illegal. But with time, America became her home. And she saw it as a land of opportunity, where millions of immigrants who came before her paved their own paths. She knew she would, too.
This is a moving story--one that resonates with millions of immigrants who make up the fabric of our country--about one girl living in two worlds, a girl whose DACA application was eventually approved and who is now living her American dream.
The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is an immigration policy that has provided relief to thousands of undocumented children, referred to as “Dreamers,” who came to the United States as children and call this country home.
Publisher description retrieved from Google Books.
