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Living Beyond Borders: Stories About Growing Up Mexican in America
Twenty stand-alone short stories, essays, poems, and more from celebrated and award-winning authors make up this YA anthology that explores the Mexican American experience. With works by Francisco X. Stork, Guadalupe Garcia McCall, David Bowles, Rubén Degollado, e.E. Charlton-Trujillo, Diana López, Xavier Garza, Trinidad Gonzales, Alex Temblador, Aida Salazar, Lupe Ruiz-Flores, Sylvia Sanchez Garza, Dominic Carrillo, Angela Cervantes, Carolyn Dee Flores, René Saldaña Jr., Laura Perez, Justine Narro, Daniel García Ordáz, and Anna Meriano.
In this mixed-media collection of short stories, personal essays, poetry, and comics, this celebrated group of authors share the borders they have crossed, the struggles they have pushed through, and the two cultures they continue to navigate as Mexican American. Living Beyond Borders is at once an eye-opening, heart-wrenching, and hopeful love letter from the Mexican American community to today’s young readers.
In this mixed-media collection of short stories, personal essays, poetry, and comics, this celebrated group of authors share the borders they have crossed, the struggles they have pushed through, and the two cultures they continue to navigate as Mexican American. Living Beyond Borders is at once an eye-opening, heart-wrenching, and hopeful love letter from the Mexican American community to today’s young readers.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published August 17, 2021
About the author
Margarita Longoria
1 book95 followersMargarita Longoria is a lifelong bookworm, book blogger, and an award-winning high school librarian in South Texas. She is the founder of Border Book Bash: Celebrating Teens and Tweens of the Rio Grande Valley and served on state reading committees for the Texas Library Association. She is the editor of LIVING BEYOND BORDERS: GROWING UP MEXICAN IN AMERICA, a mixed-media collection of short stories, personal essays, poetry, and comics, that is a hopeful love letter from the Mexican American community to today’s young readers. She holds a BA and an MA in English and an MLS in Library Science. She is passionate about diverse books, her two sons, coffee, and Mr. Darcy. She grew up in Edinburg, Texas, and lives with her family in the Rio Grande Valley. You can visit Margie online at margiesmustreads.com and follow her on Instagram at @MargiesMustReads.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
August 16, 2021
Who made the rules on what being Mexican was or wasn't? I'd always been told to check a box -- to fit in one category or the other. But it wasn't ever that easy. And why did it matter?
I wasn't sure I was going to rate this, as I don't tend to award stars to non-fiction (not that I read much of it, to be fair, despite my best intentions!), but as I think most of what is comprised of this anthology is fiction (though I could of course be wrong..), I felt it deserved to be rated. Particularly in the hopes that people see the stars and feel inspired to look a little closer at this and maybe, even, hopefully, pick it up.
Mom and Dad used to love taking me to all the Mexican and Chicanx pride events, and I used to like it too until I got older and couldn't wrap my head around how it's possible to dance with such fierce colourful joy while shouldering a legacy of so much pain.
Though there are twenty different offerings within this collection this is not a long read and, in the case of some of the specific ones I'll shoutout below, I wish it had been longer. I can't possibly know the impact of what this collection will do for readers who see themselves, or their parents, or their loved ones, in these stories but I have a feeling this'll mean a lot for a lot of people.
I understand that for many Americans -- including my own parents -- being seen as American is a struggle that can be tiring and long.
As for those standouts? These were mine.
COCO CHAMOY Y CHANGO by E.E. Charlton-Trujillo was the first one to make me wish there had been more to it. I wanted to keep reading, I wanted to learn more about these characters, and where they were going. It was such a casual little snapshot in time but it made an impression.
Next was MY NAME IS DOLORES by Guadalupe Ruiz-Flores and, to quickly sum up, it broke my heart. The image of that little girl.. well, I won't spoil. But it was one of those little big moments that leaves quiet devastation in its wake.
AN ODE TO MY PAPI by Guadalupe García McCall might have been the shortest of the bunch but.. I don't want to call it lovely, because it was also so sad, but it was a bittersweet, heartwarming, heartaching little tribute. Though there's nothing little about the message.
Finally, there was LA PRINCESA MILEIDY DOMINGUEZ by Rubén Degollado which snuck up on me. It wasn't that I wasn't invested in the story as it unfolded but it wasn't until the final paragraph or two when I realized how much I had softened as the story went on until I found myself brushing away tears. Partially it was the importance of the celebration described, the moment of transition from child to young adult, but it was more how this group of strangers, this community, came together without hesitation. It was incredibly moving.
There was one more quote I really wanted to share so I'll use it to sign off this review but suffice it to say yes, I had some favourites, but most of the quotes I've pulled didn't even come from those stories I've mentioned. There was something different, something important, something moving, in everything offered in this collection. And also something for everyone.
I'm so tired of these trying political times, and I'm tired of trying to care about the newest protests and the hashtags and the kids who die or almost die and get fifteen minutes of fame from the adults who have all the money and the clout and the thoughts and prayers but don't actually do anything.
** I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
---
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
I wasn't sure I was going to rate this, as I don't tend to award stars to non-fiction (not that I read much of it, to be fair, despite my best intentions!), but as I think most of what is comprised of this anthology is fiction (though I could of course be wrong..), I felt it deserved to be rated. Particularly in the hopes that people see the stars and feel inspired to look a little closer at this and maybe, even, hopefully, pick it up.
Mom and Dad used to love taking me to all the Mexican and Chicanx pride events, and I used to like it too until I got older and couldn't wrap my head around how it's possible to dance with such fierce colourful joy while shouldering a legacy of so much pain.
Though there are twenty different offerings within this collection this is not a long read and, in the case of some of the specific ones I'll shoutout below, I wish it had been longer. I can't possibly know the impact of what this collection will do for readers who see themselves, or their parents, or their loved ones, in these stories but I have a feeling this'll mean a lot for a lot of people.
I understand that for many Americans -- including my own parents -- being seen as American is a struggle that can be tiring and long.
As for those standouts? These were mine.
COCO CHAMOY Y CHANGO by E.E. Charlton-Trujillo was the first one to make me wish there had been more to it. I wanted to keep reading, I wanted to learn more about these characters, and where they were going. It was such a casual little snapshot in time but it made an impression.
Next was MY NAME IS DOLORES by Guadalupe Ruiz-Flores and, to quickly sum up, it broke my heart. The image of that little girl.. well, I won't spoil. But it was one of those little big moments that leaves quiet devastation in its wake.
AN ODE TO MY PAPI by Guadalupe García McCall might have been the shortest of the bunch but.. I don't want to call it lovely, because it was also so sad, but it was a bittersweet, heartwarming, heartaching little tribute. Though there's nothing little about the message.
Finally, there was LA PRINCESA MILEIDY DOMINGUEZ by Rubén Degollado which snuck up on me. It wasn't that I wasn't invested in the story as it unfolded but it wasn't until the final paragraph or two when I realized how much I had softened as the story went on until I found myself brushing away tears. Partially it was the importance of the celebration described, the moment of transition from child to young adult, but it was more how this group of strangers, this community, came together without hesitation. It was incredibly moving.
There was one more quote I really wanted to share so I'll use it to sign off this review but suffice it to say yes, I had some favourites, but most of the quotes I've pulled didn't even come from those stories I've mentioned. There was something different, something important, something moving, in everything offered in this collection. And also something for everyone.
I'm so tired of these trying political times, and I'm tired of trying to care about the newest protests and the hashtags and the kids who die or almost die and get fifteen minutes of fame from the adults who have all the money and the clout and the thoughts and prayers but don't actually do anything.
** I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
---
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
July 30, 2021
I have mixed feelings on this one. I love the concept- bringing together a wide range of authors for a mixed-media anthology for teens celebrating Mexican American life and identity. And some of the essays and stories are touching, thought-provoking, and important.
An essay about the too-slow changes in the Smithsonian representing Mexican Americans. A touching story about a girl without a home getting a quinceanera through her new school. An essay about the struggle of growing up mixed and feeling in-between, unable to fluently speak Spanish. These are some examples of contributions that I really loved.
As with all anthologies, I liked some pieces better than others, but there was one in particular that flirts with incest that I was kind of uncomfortable with. Not sure why that choice was made, or why it's going in an anthology for teenagers. And maybe I'm missing something, but I also don't see why that element was necessary to the story in the first place. Here's the basic plot: a teen girl and her mom go on vacation with extended family because her mom has been struggling after the girls father left them. Going with them is the girls male cousin and we spend most of the story in her head thinking about how she's attracted to him even though she shouldn't be. Then they almost kiss before being interrupted by their family who scream about incest. There's other family drama too, but things eventually seem better for her mom. It was really uncomfortable to read and even though technically nothing happened, it's unclear to me what the point of flirting with that was. Also content warning, obviously.
Aside from that my other issue has to do with the way the collection was formatted. This is a mix of fiction and non-fiction, which is cool but there is no way to know for sure which pieces are fictional. Sometimes you can tell by reading, but other times it's very unclear. Typically with something like this you get a couple sentences at the end about the author and the piece, but in this case it's just all thrown together and while there are author bios at the end of the book, they don't include any reference to the pieces in this anthology. That feels like a major oversight.
So mixed feelings. There is definitely some good to be found here, but it also could have been handled better. I received an advance copy of this book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
An essay about the too-slow changes in the Smithsonian representing Mexican Americans. A touching story about a girl without a home getting a quinceanera through her new school. An essay about the struggle of growing up mixed and feeling in-between, unable to fluently speak Spanish. These are some examples of contributions that I really loved.
As with all anthologies, I liked some pieces better than others, but there was one in particular that flirts with incest that I was kind of uncomfortable with. Not sure why that choice was made, or why it's going in an anthology for teenagers. And maybe I'm missing something, but I also don't see why that element was necessary to the story in the first place. Here's the basic plot: a teen girl and her mom go on vacation with extended family because her mom has been struggling after the girls father left them. Going with them is the girls male cousin and we spend most of the story in her head thinking about how she's attracted to him even though she shouldn't be. Then they almost kiss before being interrupted by their family who scream about incest. There's other family drama too, but things eventually seem better for her mom. It was really uncomfortable to read and even though technically nothing happened, it's unclear to me what the point of flirting with that was. Also content warning, obviously.
Aside from that my other issue has to do with the way the collection was formatted. This is a mix of fiction and non-fiction, which is cool but there is no way to know for sure which pieces are fictional. Sometimes you can tell by reading, but other times it's very unclear. Typically with something like this you get a couple sentences at the end about the author and the piece, but in this case it's just all thrown together and while there are author bios at the end of the book, they don't include any reference to the pieces in this anthology. That feels like a major oversight.
So mixed feelings. There is definitely some good to be found here, but it also could have been handled better. I received an advance copy of this book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
August 15, 2021
Here’s a collection of short stories to push you right into your emotions and some of them are going to be discomforting ones. From the first story of this anthology of stories/poems/letters from people who have straddled the Mexican/American borders, I was absorbed. These stories made me angry and hopeful, sad and in awe.
While I appreciated them all, here’s a flavour of some of the ones that either hit me in the gut, educated me or transported me to someone else’s experience (sometimes all of these things).
Ghetto Is Not An Adjective by Dominic Carrillo took a chance encounter and made an impact through poetry, ignorance felt like it was the theme for this story.
“There Are Mexicans In Texas?” by Trinidad Gonzales really conveyed the importance of family history to how he’s navigated peoples’ ignorance and racism at various junctures. These familial stories seemed to ground the author’s sense of self. I could have read his experiences and anecdotes for much longer. This quote really hit home and has relevance to other countries too:
The struggle to belong is found not only in the politics of the street, but in official institutions that are supposed to be inclusive of all Americans.
Ode to My Papi by Guadalupe García McCall squeezed my heart in a mere moment on the paper. So much was conveyed in a short space.
There were so many others to mention, but I wanted to give a dynamic snapshot of what’s on offer here.
I live overseas but I read and watch these issues, wanting to know more, especially when tensions were heightened under the 45th POTUS’ control. This book afforded me a deeper dive into individual experiences both fictionalised and non-fiction. I recommend this to all and it is definitely suitable from teenage upwards.
The editor/author provided me with a early copy through netgalley but this has not influenced by review.
Find this review at A Take From Two Cities Blog.
While I appreciated them all, here’s a flavour of some of the ones that either hit me in the gut, educated me or transported me to someone else’s experience (sometimes all of these things).
Ghetto Is Not An Adjective by Dominic Carrillo took a chance encounter and made an impact through poetry, ignorance felt like it was the theme for this story.
“There Are Mexicans In Texas?” by Trinidad Gonzales really conveyed the importance of family history to how he’s navigated peoples’ ignorance and racism at various junctures. These familial stories seemed to ground the author’s sense of self. I could have read his experiences and anecdotes for much longer. This quote really hit home and has relevance to other countries too:
The struggle to belong is found not only in the politics of the street, but in official institutions that are supposed to be inclusive of all Americans.
Ode to My Papi by Guadalupe García McCall squeezed my heart in a mere moment on the paper. So much was conveyed in a short space.
There were so many others to mention, but I wanted to give a dynamic snapshot of what’s on offer here.
I live overseas but I read and watch these issues, wanting to know more, especially when tensions were heightened under the 45th POTUS’ control. This book afforded me a deeper dive into individual experiences both fictionalised and non-fiction. I recommend this to all and it is definitely suitable from teenage upwards.
The editor/author provided me with a early copy through netgalley but this has not influenced by review.
Find this review at A Take From Two Cities Blog.
July 21, 2021
4.5 Stars
Content Warnings at end of review
Thank you to Penguin Teen and Netgalley for an arc of this book.
This anthology is an exploration about what it means to be Mexican American. It contains stories, memoirs, poems, and comics that explore various parts of the authors' identities.
I really loved this collection. So many of the stories/pieces were absolutely incredible to read. The writing was diverse because of the many authors, but there wasn't a single piece I didn't like. I look forward to looking up some of these authors' other works!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Self harm
Content Warnings at end of review
Thank you to Penguin Teen and Netgalley for an arc of this book.
This anthology is an exploration about what it means to be Mexican American. It contains stories, memoirs, poems, and comics that explore various parts of the authors' identities.
I really loved this collection. So many of the stories/pieces were absolutely incredible to read. The writing was diverse because of the many authors, but there wasn't a single piece I didn't like. I look forward to looking up some of these authors' other works!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Self harm
April 27, 2021
I laughed, I cried, I got angry and my heart melted. Such a beautiful and diverse collection of stories all told differently...yet they were my stories, my life, my childhood. For a few precious moments I was able to escape adulthood and relive being a kid growing up Mexican-American. These stories will definitely resonate with anyone who is caught between two different cultures. Living Beyond Borders offers a glimpse into Mexican traditions and superstitions and what it means to grow up Mexican-American.
March 14, 2021
"Growing Up Mexican in America" is part of the title of this book. It's important to specify because this is what the anthology is all about.
"Twenty stand-alone short stories, essays, poems, and more from celebrated and award-winning authors make up this YA anthology that explores the Mexican American experience. With works by Francisco X. Stork, Guadalupe Garcia McCall, David Bowles, Rubén Degollado, e.E. Charlton-Trujillo, Diana López, Xavier Garza, Trinidad Gonzales, Alex Temblador, Aida Salazar, Lupe Ruiz-Flores, Sylvia Sanchez Garza, Dominic Carrillo, Angela Cervantes, Carolyn Dee Flores, René Saldaña Jr., Justine Narro, Daniel García Ordáz, and Anna Meriano. These authors share the borders they have crossed, the struggles they have pushed through, and the two cultures they continue to navigate as Mexican American. "
Many of the stories are well-written and resonated with this reader. The 'Mexican American' experience is as diverse as the regions, border towns, and generations of the writers who write the stories. The differences can be because you are first-generation or fourth, bi-racial, or multi-ethnic, but many areas connect, such as family, language, foods,
A few stories didn't hold my interest as much due to form or writing style but overall, that should not detract those readers who are trying to understand what it means to grow up Mexican in America.
Some quotes that describe the themes in several stories:
"As Mexican Americans, we have always needed to defend who we are, where we were born, and prove to others that we are, in fact, Americans."
"Yet, we are forced to be on the fence, not because we do not want to belong to both worlds, but because society demands that we chose a side. Where do we want to belong?"
This book could be utilized as a book for upper middle schoolers to high school students as a basis of discussion about self-identity, culture, perceptions, and bias. I would recommend it to educators, readers who want to expand their knowledge of other cultures, and librarians for their schools. NetGalley provided an e-ARC of this book, and this is an honest review.
"Twenty stand-alone short stories, essays, poems, and more from celebrated and award-winning authors make up this YA anthology that explores the Mexican American experience. With works by Francisco X. Stork, Guadalupe Garcia McCall, David Bowles, Rubén Degollado, e.E. Charlton-Trujillo, Diana López, Xavier Garza, Trinidad Gonzales, Alex Temblador, Aida Salazar, Lupe Ruiz-Flores, Sylvia Sanchez Garza, Dominic Carrillo, Angela Cervantes, Carolyn Dee Flores, René Saldaña Jr., Justine Narro, Daniel García Ordáz, and Anna Meriano. These authors share the borders they have crossed, the struggles they have pushed through, and the two cultures they continue to navigate as Mexican American. "
Many of the stories are well-written and resonated with this reader. The 'Mexican American' experience is as diverse as the regions, border towns, and generations of the writers who write the stories. The differences can be because you are first-generation or fourth, bi-racial, or multi-ethnic, but many areas connect, such as family, language, foods,
A few stories didn't hold my interest as much due to form or writing style but overall, that should not detract those readers who are trying to understand what it means to grow up Mexican in America.
Some quotes that describe the themes in several stories:
"As Mexican Americans, we have always needed to defend who we are, where we were born, and prove to others that we are, in fact, Americans."
"Yet, we are forced to be on the fence, not because we do not want to belong to both worlds, but because society demands that we chose a side. Where do we want to belong?"
This book could be utilized as a book for upper middle schoolers to high school students as a basis of discussion about self-identity, culture, perceptions, and bias. I would recommend it to educators, readers who want to expand their knowledge of other cultures, and librarians for their schools. NetGalley provided an e-ARC of this book, and this is an honest review.
November 19, 2020
An amazing, vital anthology!
March 5, 2021
Outstanding! Review to follow in School Library Connection.
January 7, 2022
Beautiful and necessary anthology. Each story is well written and showcases the stories of Mexican American life in the US. My favorite was How to Exist in a City of Ghosts by Carolyn Dee Flores.
June 6, 2021
I was giving the opportunity to read this early release by Penguin Teen Publishing and NetGalley for an a honest review.
This was a very important read. Each one of the short story and poem told a difference story that was so incredibly important for the Mexican culture and make you think about. Each writer poured their heart out in their stories. If you have the opportunity please read it!
This was a very important read. Each one of the short story and poem told a difference story that was so incredibly important for the Mexican culture and make you think about. Each writer poured their heart out in their stories. If you have the opportunity please read it!
September 15, 2021
“As Mexican Americans, we have always needed to defend who we are, where we were born, and prove to others that we are, in fact, Americans."
🦋
Twenty short stories, poems and essays by many different authors make up this beautiful YA collection Living Beyond Borders that explores what it’s like living as a Mexican American having to straddle two different cultures.
🦋
I’ve been waiting for this release for so long and am so proud of fellow TX librarian Margie Longoria for editing this amazing, soul-wrenching piece of literature that our students need in their lives now more than ever. I was pulling books for #hispanicheritagemonth and working on my diversity audit and am saddened by the percentage of Latinx books I have in my library compared to how many Latinx students I have in my school. Books like this make students feel seen and it’s my mission to spend this next month celebrating Hispanic heritage by reading more Latinx books and authors, as well as continuing to purchase them for my students. I loved this story collection so much and wish and hope for so many more books like it in the future. Add it to your classroom, your library, and your home.
CW: racism
🦋
Twenty short stories, poems and essays by many different authors make up this beautiful YA collection Living Beyond Borders that explores what it’s like living as a Mexican American having to straddle two different cultures.
🦋
I’ve been waiting for this release for so long and am so proud of fellow TX librarian Margie Longoria for editing this amazing, soul-wrenching piece of literature that our students need in their lives now more than ever. I was pulling books for #hispanicheritagemonth and working on my diversity audit and am saddened by the percentage of Latinx books I have in my library compared to how many Latinx students I have in my school. Books like this make students feel seen and it’s my mission to spend this next month celebrating Hispanic heritage by reading more Latinx books and authors, as well as continuing to purchase them for my students. I loved this story collection so much and wish and hope for so many more books like it in the future. Add it to your classroom, your library, and your home.
CW: racism
June 11, 2021
Thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this eARC! 4/5 stars.
I was really impressed with this anthology, especially since I hadn't heard of any of the authors. I liked how it focused entirely on the Mexican-American diaspora and experiences. While some of them were not as great as others, there are some that I am planning on incorporating into my curriculum this upcoming year from this anthology. I also think many other people will get more of an impact from this than I, since I am a white educator and this is an anthology meant as a window for me rather than a mirror. I also cried during a few of the pieces...especially the quince one.
I was really impressed with this anthology, especially since I hadn't heard of any of the authors. I liked how it focused entirely on the Mexican-American diaspora and experiences. While some of them were not as great as others, there are some that I am planning on incorporating into my curriculum this upcoming year from this anthology. I also think many other people will get more of an impact from this than I, since I am a white educator and this is an anthology meant as a window for me rather than a mirror. I also cried during a few of the pieces...especially the quince one.
November 3, 2021
The anthology _Living Beyond Borders_, edited by Margaret Longoria, is a highly readable anthology of Latinx-American short stories, essays, comics, and poems, suitable for middle school readers and up. As a teacher of multicultural American literature who teaches in an area that doesn’t have a large Latinx population, I appreciate having a book that would help students gain exposure to a broad variety of contemporary literary works reflecting the diverse perspectives and experiences of Latinx writers. One story I particularly loved was Rubén Degollado’s “La Princesa Mileidy Dominguez,” about Leidy, a housing-insecure teen and daughter of a single mother, who not only is able to finally celebrate her quinceañera in proper style, but more importantly, finds newfound security and affirmation in her school community. A good read!
May 11, 2022
I waited for so long for the release, and perhaps this set my expectations too high. While every single one of us as Mexican Americans has a layered, unique, and complex experience, I feel there is so much more that bonds us in commonality- these stories represented just one segment of us as a whole. Comprised almost entirely from one, constant perspective, it didn't touch on the the beautiful, proud, unifying aspects of our American experience as first, second and later generations. I think I enjoyed about 2 of the stories/poems and the rest, while valid and real from the perspective of the writers, all mirrored the sentiment of resentment, lack, and struggle- all of which are important and real parts of the Mexican American experience, but certainly not all of it.
May 7, 2022
I think I’m not really an anthology type of person, but I appreciate the wide variety of experiences and stories told in this book. It’s heartbreaking to read about some of the horrible things Mexican and Mexican-American people go through because of ignorant white people in the US—things that my boyfriend has experienced personally—from microaggressions to downright racism and prejudice. I hope this book can do a lot of good in spreading empathy and understanding for other people—it has definitely done so for me.
October 2, 2021
I loved that this was put together by a fellow Texas Librarian. This is a love story about heritage and where you come from. An beautifully written and enjoyable collection of short stories, free verse poems and even comics thrown into the mix. This is a must have for school libraries, a collection representing #ownvoices.
June 19, 2021
Smart. Poignant. Timely. This collection will make you laugh out loud and, in the very next, bring you to tears. If not, you have no soul. ¡Enhorabuena! ¡Una excelente lectura!
Advanced reader copy via the editor and Net Galley.
Advanced reader copy via the editor and Net Galley.
August 25, 2021
“Yet we are forced to be on the fence, not because we do not want to belong to both worlds, but because society demands that we choose a side. Where do we want to belong?”
I really enjoyed reading the authors note at the beginning, because even though I am Mexican-American, I haven’t embraced the Mexican culture, and because I do live in America, I take pride in the fact that I was born and raised here. My dad speaks Spanish along with his side of the family, but he never spoke at home to me and my siblings, so of course we grew up only speaking English.
After reading this anthology, it makes me really want to explore and learn more about my Mexican heritage and try to embrace it as much as I can, and not be embarrassed about who I am. The short stories, essays, poetry, and comics were so beautiful done and written, and I have never read an anthology before and also don’t gravitate towards nonfiction, so it was really nice to explore different types of books. Anyone who picks up this book is bound to find a story or essay that they enjoy.
*Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group for this ARC in exchange for an honest review*
June 28, 2024
Woooowwww.
I absolutely loved this. I have never felt so seen.
@ Alex Temblador , can we be friends??
This was incredible and now having moved from a heavily Mexican American populated area to an area where there is less than 5% —- I was not understanding what made me feel so far from home. This read gave me insight to being proud of taking part of two cultures and being okay to sit in the discomfort of others challenging my cultural heritage.
My heart really grew reading this. 🤠 Wish this came out when I was a teenager!
——————————————————————————
I was NOT a fan of the story Morning People. The book could’ve completely omitted that. I am still trying to find the relevancy or if this could be comforting to people with single mother households / fighting families but Nah fam…. incest is not okay. 🤢
I absolutely loved this. I have never felt so seen.
@ Alex Temblador , can we be friends??
This was incredible and now having moved from a heavily Mexican American populated area to an area where there is less than 5% —- I was not understanding what made me feel so far from home. This read gave me insight to being proud of taking part of two cultures and being okay to sit in the discomfort of others challenging my cultural heritage.
My heart really grew reading this. 🤠 Wish this came out when I was a teenager!
——————————————————————————
I was NOT a fan of the story Morning People. The book could’ve completely omitted that. I am still trying to find the relevancy or if this could be comforting to people with single mother households / fighting families but Nah fam…. incest is not okay. 🤢
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 27, 2024
I’m glad I found this as some stories resonated with me and I’ve been looking for a book like this.
August 27, 2021
LIVING BEYOND BORDERS is a beautiful collection of short stories, poems, and works that describe a broad range of experiences of what it’s like to grow up Mexican or Mexican-American in a country that views that experience as a monolith. Each story is unique, just like the voice that tells it, and highlights a wide array of lives and lifestyles and the way in which culture, racism, and class play a role in day-to-day lives. I tended to love the short stories in this compilation most of all, especially one toward the end called “La Princess Mileidy Dominguez” by Rubén Degollado. It’s the perfect balance of heartfelt and heartache, with such a beautiful softness.
I really enjoyed this collection and can’t wait to dive in to each of these authors’ individual works.
I really enjoyed this collection and can’t wait to dive in to each of these authors’ individual works.
March 11, 2022
My first short story collection and I really enjoyed it!
October 9, 2021
Twenty authors and an illustrator or two share poems, short stories, personal commentary--all filled with heart--about growing up Mexican American in this country. While many compilations of this sort contain a handful of strong contributions with several weak ones, that isn't the case here. In fact, I'd willingly state that only two of them disappointed me while the rest of them hit me right where it matters--in my heart--and left me thinking about the characters and their situations. There are stories of struggle and stories of hope as well as scenes that seemed to have been ripped from real life. And while it might seem that it would take awhile to get through the offerings, that isn't the case. The writing sweeps readers up and makes them nod their head in recognition or in empathy. The collection has been edited by a South Texan librarian, and her knowledge of meaningful writing and movers and shakers in the literacy community shows here through the richness of the collection. Each reader will have his/her/their favorites in this book, and there are some stories that featured characters whose back story I longed to know more about, which is usually a good sign when I am reading. My favorites include "Filiberto's Final Visit" by Francisco X. Stork featuring an unknown guardian and protector; "Coco Chamoy y Chango" by e. E. Charlton-Trujillo with its hints of love's possibilities; "My Name Is Dolores" by Guadalupe Ruiz-Flores with an ending that most readers won't see coming; "The Body by the Canal" by David Bowles,revealing how fears may keep us from living life to the fullest; and "Ode to My Papi" by Guadalupe Garcia McCall. While the poem McCall has crafted is only two pages long, it will remind many readers of the debts they owe to their own fathers. It is poignant, drawn from the heart, and full of the awareness of economic sacrifice, concluding, "In giving what little he could, / my papi gave me the universe" (p. 115). High school librarians and classroom teachers as well as parents and caregivers will want to give serious consideration to adding this book to their collection. Not only will many teens see themselves and their own experiences mirrored here, but those cultural outsiders who read the book will learn more about their classmates and the lives they lead as well as opening their hearts. The quote from Cesar Chavez at the start of the book hints of its contents: "Once social change begins, it cannot be reversed. You cannot uneducate the person who has learned to read. You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore"(unpaged).
July 30, 2021
As soon as I saw that this project was in the works, I couldn’t wait to read it. It definitely did not disappoint! This anthology features an incredible group of writers and their works are deeply meaningful and insightful. These stories, detailing the Mexican-American experience, need to be told. As a mother of mixed race Mexican-American children, I hope that these stories will reach the masses, so that the next generation finds acceptance, and the freedom to exist within two cultures.
February 22, 2022
What a BEAUTIFUL assortment of stories from talented authors.
I laughed, I cried (La Princesa Mileidy Dominguez really got me), and I learned things from each entry.
If you are looking to broaden your reading horizon, I highly suggest picking this gem up and immersing yourself in the culture of Living Beyond Borders: Growing up Mexican in America .
**5 Beyond, Stars**
I laughed, I cried (La Princesa Mileidy Dominguez really got me), and I learned things from each entry.
If you are looking to broaden your reading horizon, I highly suggest picking this gem up and immersing yourself in the culture of Living Beyond Borders: Growing up Mexican in America .
**5 Beyond, Stars**
September 26, 2021
“𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚙𝚘𝚒𝚗𝚝 𝚒𝚜 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚙𝚊𝚢 𝚋𝚊𝚌𝚔 𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚍𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚜, 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚙𝚊𝚜𝚜 𝚒𝚝 𝚘𝚗.” ~ 𝙹𝚞𝚕𝚒𝚊 𝙰𝚕𝚟𝚊𝚛𝚎𝚣
🥁 A wonderful collection of short stories by various authors, this book just brought so many emotions out. As some may or may not know, I am Mexican American so I related so much with all these stories. They were so beautifully written and I just loved them all. The experience of living as a Mexican American was such a relatable theme in these stories, essays, poems. I felt so attached to all the stories and would hands down read them all if they were novels.
🇲🇽 These stories talk so much about diversity and race. I’ve only read a novel from Francisco and I absolutely loved it. I was so impressed by all these stories and the authors. I definitely want to check out some novels from these authors. I take pride that I was born here with parents who immigrated long ago from Mexico. Growing up Mexican American has been such a great part of my life and I’ll forever be thankful.
🪅 This was such a short and quick read. Normally anthologies can be a bit dull, however, these stories all felt so different and unique. I related so much with pretty much every one of them and would definitely recommend them. Some of my favorites were COCO CHAMOY Y CHANGO, AN ODE TO MY PAPI, and MY NAME IS DOLORES… all were great in there own way. I would highly recommend this anthology!!
✨ Thank you Penguin Teen for sending me a copy of this book!! #partner ✨
🥁 A wonderful collection of short stories by various authors, this book just brought so many emotions out. As some may or may not know, I am Mexican American so I related so much with all these stories. They were so beautifully written and I just loved them all. The experience of living as a Mexican American was such a relatable theme in these stories, essays, poems. I felt so attached to all the stories and would hands down read them all if they were novels.
🇲🇽 These stories talk so much about diversity and race. I’ve only read a novel from Francisco and I absolutely loved it. I was so impressed by all these stories and the authors. I definitely want to check out some novels from these authors. I take pride that I was born here with parents who immigrated long ago from Mexico. Growing up Mexican American has been such a great part of my life and I’ll forever be thankful.
🪅 This was such a short and quick read. Normally anthologies can be a bit dull, however, these stories all felt so different and unique. I related so much with pretty much every one of them and would definitely recommend them. Some of my favorites were COCO CHAMOY Y CHANGO, AN ODE TO MY PAPI, and MY NAME IS DOLORES… all were great in there own way. I would highly recommend this anthology!!
✨ Thank you Penguin Teen for sending me a copy of this book!! #partner ✨
October 18, 2021
I think this was a phenomenal set of short stories. Again, I think some of these collections are trying to include too many authors. I'm not sure how marketable these short story collections are to teens. This collection features a lot of different voices on a topic that isn't covered a lot in YA lit, and I think it's great for that. The mix of genres also really helps the flow of the book overall.
October 21, 2021
In some ways this anthology was exactly what I thought it would be, in others it really surprised me! A nice change of pace from other stuff I have been reading, intended for a teen audience but still thought-provoking for any reader.
Favorite stories include: Ghetto is not an adjective, Filiberto's final visit, My name is Dolores, There are Mexicans in Texas?, and La princesa Mileidy Dominguez.
Favorite stories include: Ghetto is not an adjective, Filiberto's final visit, My name is Dolores, There are Mexicans in Texas?, and La princesa Mileidy Dominguez.
September 27, 2021
This is an anthology that needs to be read! It is as diverse as the authors who wrote the short stories and poems.
Although I'm familiar with the works by many of the authors, I did find some new ones and am going to read their works now.
Although I'm familiar with the works by many of the authors, I did find some new ones and am going to read their works now.
August 18, 2022
Not at all what I thought I was going to be reading.
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