Areli Is A Dreamer
Book Summary:
Areli Is a Dreamer tells the true story of a young girl who immigrates from Mexico to the United States and faces fear, separation, and uncertainty while holding on to her dreams. Through resilience, family support, and hope, Areli learns to navigate a new language, culture, and school system. The story highlights the strength of immigrant families and the power of dreaming despite challenges.
Recommended Questions:
How does Areli’s story connect two different countries? What do we learn about life in each place?
Why do people move from one country to another? What global factors (such as work, safety, or family) influence these decisions?
How do borders and distance affect families, communities, and opportunities?
Why might two people in the same family have different immigration statuses? What does this help us understand about immigration systems?
How could having different documentation statuses within one family create worry, stress, or confusion?
In the story, some classmates say unkind and inappropriate things to Areli. What are safe and appropriate ways we can stand up for people when we hear hurtful comments such as these?
How does Areli’s story help us understand current conversations about immigration in the United States?
Why was DACA created, and how does it connect to the experiences of children like Areli?
How do past immigration policies continue to affect families today?
NCSS Theme 9: Global Connections
Areli Is a Dreamer connects strongly to the NCSS theme of Global Connections by showing how people, families, and cultures are connected across national borders. Areli’s journey highlights migration between Mexico and the United States and helps students understand how global movement, economic conditions, and family ties link countries together. The story encourages students to see immigration as a global issue that affects communities around the world.
Social Justice Anchor Standard 13: Analyze the harmful impact of bias and injustice
This book illustrates the real-life impacts of immigration policies and societal bias on individuals and families. Areli and her family face challenges and discrimination as immigrants navigating legal and social systems, showing how bias and structural injustice can affect opportunities, belonging, and personal well-being. By reading her story, students can analyze both the historical context of immigration challenges and the ongoing effects of bias today, helping them understand the importance of equity and empathy in society.
WA History 4: Understands how historical events inform analysis of contemporary issues and events
Areli Is a Dreamer helps students understand how historical immigration policies and events have shaped contemporary polices such as DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). Areli’s experiences reflect the realities faced by many children who immigrated to the United States and later became part of the DACA program, which was created in 2012 to provide protection and opportunities for undocumented youth. By examining Areli’s story alongside the history and ongoing legal debates surrounding DACA, students learn how past policy decisions continue to affect individuals, families, and communities today.
