
We Were Here
Random House Children's Books · Paperback · September 14, 2010
Newbery Award-winning author Matt de la Peña's We Were Here is a "fast, funny, smart, and heartbreaking" novel [Booklist].
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- Who it’s for
- A gripping, emotionally layered read about running from the past and finding unexpected connection.
- Genres
- Runaway Stories, Immigration for Teens, Friendship for Teens
- Published
- Random House Children's Books, September 14, 2010
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For younger readers: The Only Road, Breaking Through
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Start with this bookAbout this book
Newbery Award-winning author Matt de la Peña's We Were Here is a "fast, funny, smart, and heartbreaking" novel [Booklist]. When it happened, Miguel was sent to Juvi. The judge gave him a year in a group home—said he had to write in a journal so some counselor could try to figure out how he thinks. The judge had no idea that he actually did Miguel a favor. Ever since it happened, his mom can’t even look at him in the face. Any home besides his would be a better place to live.
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But Miguel didn’t bet on meeting Rondell or Mong or on any of what happened after they broke out. He only thought about Mexico and getting to the border to where he could start over. Forget his mom. Forget his brother. Forget himself. Life usually doesn’ t work out how you think it will, though. And most of the time, running away is the quickest path right back to what you’re running from. From the streets of Stockton to the beaches of Venice, all the way to the Mexican border, We Were Here follows a journey of self-discovery by a boy who is trying to forgive himself in an unforgiving world. "Fast, funny, smart, and heartbreaking...The contemporary survival adventure will keep readers hooked."-Booklist "This gripping story about underprivileged teens is a rewarding read."-VOYA "A furiously paced and gripping novel."-Publishers Weekly "A story of friendship that will appeal to teens and will engage the most reluctant readers."-Kirkus Reviews An ALA-YALSA Best Book for Young Readers An ALA-YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers A Junior Library Guild Selection
Escape and Connection
A gripping, emotionally layered read about running from the past and finding unexpected connection.
Come here for
- A fast-moving journey shaped by friendship, escape, and the hope of starting over
- Humor and heartbreak alongside a serious story of self-forgiveness
Expect
- A boy’s search for a fresh start, from Stockton toward the Mexican border
- A journey of self-discovery with a quick pace and room for humor
Where it sits
| Immigration for Teens | 57% |
|---|---|
| Runaway Stories | 52% |
| Friendship for Teens | 48% |
Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.
Publisher categories
- YA Orphan & Foster Stories
- Friendship for Teens
- Runaway Stories
- Authors
- Matt de la Peña
- Publisher
- Random House Children's Books
- Published
- September 14, 2010
- Format
- Paperback
- Reading lane
- YA Orphan & Foster Stories