A Dream Called Home : A Memoir

“The emotional and practical challenges for a young immigrant are on full display in Grande’s evocative, inspiring memoir.” —People From bestselling author Reyna Grande—whose remarkable memoir The Distance Between Us has become required reading in schools across the country—comes an inspiring account of one woman’s quest to find her place in America as a first-generation Latina university student and aspiring writer determined to build a new life for her family one fearless word at a time. When Reyna Grande was nine years old, she walked across the US–Mexico border in search of a home, desperate to be reunited with the parents who had left her behind years before for a better life in the City of Angels. What she found instead was an indifferent mother, an abusive, alcoholic father, and a school system that belittled her heritage. With so few resources at her disposal, Reyna finds refuge in words, and it is her love of reading and writing that propels her to rise above until she achieves the impossible and is accepted to the University of California, Santa Cruz. Although her acceptance is a triumph, the actual experience of American college life is intimidating and unfamiliar for someone like Reyna, who is now once again estranged from her family and support system. Again, she finds solace in words, holding fast to her vision of becoming a writer, only to discover she knows nothing about what it takes to make a career out of a dream. Through it all, Reyna is determined to make the impossible possible, going from undocumented immigrant of little means to “a fierce, smart, shimmering light of a writer” (Cheryl Strayed, author of Wild); a National Book Critics Circle Award Finalist “speak[ing] for millions of immigrants whose voices have gone unheard” (Sandra Cisneros, author of The House on Mango Street); and a proud mother of two beautiful children who will never have to know the pain of poverty and neglect. Told in Reyna’s exquisite, heartfelt prose, A Dream Called H An inspiring new memoir from Reyna Grande, the National Book Critics Circle Award finalist and national bestselling author of The Distance Between Us , about her quest for belonging, a writing career, and a home built of more than words and dreams. A Dream Called Home is the follow up to Reyna Grandes national bestselling memoir The Distance Between Us . In that book, Reyna recounted the pain and poverty she experienced growing up in Mexico without her parents, who had immigrated to the U.S. years earlier. When she was nine years old, Reyna made her own journey across the U.S.Mexico border in search of a home. What she found instead was an indifferent mother, an abusive, alcoholic father, and a school system that didnt honor her heritage. Against all obstacles, Reynas love of reading and writing propelled her to rise above all challenges and ultimately be accepted to the University of California, Santa Cruz. A Dream Called Home tells the story of Reynas pursuit to become the first in her family to earn a college degree and to find her place and a home in her adoptive country. At UC, Santa Cruz and on her own for the first time, Reyna faces new struggles and learns to forge ahead toward her dreams despite the alienation and estrangement from her family and her new community. Back in Los Angeles after graduation, Reyna attempts to parlay her creative writing degree into a full-time job only to discover she knows nothing about the publishing business. Through it all, Reyna holds fast to her dreams and makes the impossible possibleshe goes from being an undocumented immigrant to an award-winning author. Reyna details the arduous journey of pursuing her dream of becoming a writer and finding that one thing she has desperately longed for ever since her parents left her behind in Mexicoa home. This is an inspiring account of one young womans quest to find her place in America as a first-generation university student, a Latina, and a writer determined to change the course of her family forever. Reynas story mirrors the journey that millions of immigrants have taken as she creates her own path toward a better life for herself on her own terms. From Bestselling Author Reyna Grandewhose Remarkable Memoir The Distance Between Us Has Become Required Reading In Schools Across The Country Comes An Inspiring Account Of One Woman's Quest To Find Her Place In America As A First-generation Latina University Student And Aspiring Writer Determined To Build A New Life For Her Family One Fearless Word At A Time. When Reyna Grande Was Nine Years Old, She Walked Across The Us-mexico Border In Search Of A Home, Desperate To Be Reunited With The Parents Who Had Left Her Behind Years Before For A Better Life In The City Of Angels. What She Found Instead Was An Indifferent Mother, An Abusive, Alcoholic Father, And A School System That Belittled Her Heritage. With So Few Resources At Her Disposal, Reyna Finds Refuge In Words, And It Is Her Love Of Reading And Writing That Propels Her To Rise Above Until She Achieves The Impossible And Is Accepted To The University Of California, Santa Cruz. Although Her Acceptance Is A Triumph, The Actual Experience Of American College Life Is Intimidating And Unfamiliar For Someone Like Reyna, Who Is Now Once Again Estranged From Her Family And Support System. Again, She Finds Solace In Words, Holding Fast To Her Vision Of Becoming A Writer, Only To Discover She Knows Nothing About What It Takes To Make A Career Out Of A Dream. Through It All, Reyna Is Determined To Make The Impossible Possible, Going From Undocumented Immigrant Of Little Means To A Fierce, Smart, Shimmering Light Of A Writer (cheryl Strayed, Author Of Wild ); A National Book Critics Circle Award Finalist Speak[ing] For Millions Of Immigrants Whose Voices Have Gone Unheard (sandra Cisneros, Author Of The House On Mango Street ); And A Proud Mother Of Two Beautiful Children Who Will Never Have To Know The Pain Of Poverty And Neglect. Told In Reyna's Exquisite, Heartfelt Prose, A Dream Called Home Demonstrates How, By Daring To Pursue Her Dreams, Reyna Was Able To Build The One Thing She Had Always Longed For: A Home That Would Endure. Reyna Grande. From bestselling author Reyna Grande whose remarkable memoir The Distance Between Us has become required reading in schools across the country comes an inspiring account of one woman's quest to find her place in America as a first-generation Latina university student and aspiring writer determined to build a new life for her family one fearless word at a time. When Reyna Grande was nine years old, she walked across the US-Mexico border in search of a home, desperate to be reunited with the parents who had left her behind years before for a better life in the City of Angels. What she found instead was an indifferent mother, an abusive, alcoholic father, and a school system that belittled her heritage. With so few resources at her disposal, Reyna finds refuge in words, and it is her love of reading and writing that propels her to rise above until she achieves the impossible and is accepted to the University of California, Santa Cruz. Although her acceptance is a triumph, the actual experience of American college life is intimidating and unfamiliar for someone like Reyna, who is now once again estranged from her family and support system. Again, she finds solace in words, holding fast to her vision of becoming a writer, only to discover she knows nothing about what it takes to make a career out of a dream. Through it all, Reyna is determined to make the impossible possible, going from undocumented immigrant of little means to "a fierce, smart, shimmering light of a writer" (Cheryl Strayed, author of Wild ); a National Book Critics Circle Award Finalist "speak[ing] for millions of immigrants whose voices have gone unheard" (Sandra Cisneros, author of The House on Mango Street ); and a proud mother of two beautiful children who will never have to know the pain of poverty and neglect. Told in Reyna's exquisite, heartfelt prose, A Dream Called Home demonstrates how, by daring to pursue her dreams, Reyna was able to build the one thing she had always longed for: a home that would endure "Here is a life story so unbelievable, it could only be true." —Sandra Cisneros, bestselling author of The House on Mango Street From bestselling author of the remarkable memoir The Distance Between Us comes an inspiring account of one woman's quest to find her place in America as a first-generation Latina university student and aspiring writer determined to build a new life for her family one fearless word at a time. As an immigrant in an unfamiliar country, with an indifferent mother and abusive father, Reyna had few resources at her disposal. Taking refuge in words, Reyna's love of reading and writing propels her to rise above until she achieves the impossible and is accepted to the University of California, Santa Cruz. Although her acceptance is a triumph, the actual experience of American college life is intimidating and unfamiliar for someone like Reyna, who is now estranged from her family and support system. Again, she finds solace in words, holding fast to her vision of becoming a writer, only to discover she knows nothing about what it takes to make a career out of a dream. Through it all, Reyna is determined to make the impossible possible, going from undocumented immigrant of little means to "a fierce, smart, shimmering light of a writer" (Cheryl Strayed, author of Wild ); a National Book Critics Circle Award Finalist whose "power is growing with every book" (Luis Alberto Urrea, Pultizer Prize finalist); and a proud mother of two beautiful children who will never have to know the pain of poverty and neglect. Told in Reyna's exquisite, heartfelt prose, A Dream Called Home demonstrates how, by daring to pursue her dreams, Reyna was able to build the one thing she had always longed for: a home that would endure.