A Book to Connect Us

One Book, One Leyden Program Enters First Year

An+image+from+the+cover+of+Reyna+Grandes+memoir%2C+The+Distance+Between+Us

An image from the cover of Reyna Grande’s memoir, The Distance Between Us

Paulina Castelan, Sports Co-editor

Leyden teachers have been encouraging students to read the book The Distance Between Us by Reyna Grande. The title is the first selection of Leyden’s “One Book, One Leyden” program, which aims to bring students, staff, and community together as they read the same title.

The Distance Between Us is a memoir that centers on the author’s young life and describes obstacles she had to face as an immigrant.

Senior Ariana Cardenas, one of a number of student ‘book ambassadors,’ described her experience reading: ”You see how someone going through so much can still become successful, it’s really inspiring.”

Reyna Grande was born in Mexico along with her two older siblings. Throughout her life, she spent time apart from one or both her parents, who were in the United States. Years later she found a way to come to the United States. Her memoir covers the struggles of being left behind and being new to the country. Grande, who will speak at an all school assembly at each campus, said she wanted to write this book to not only help her heal from her past or to forgive her parents, but also to allow her readers to understand the hardships immigrant children have to face.

“There are thousands of immigrant kids in the U.S. and unfortunately our government hasn’t been very kind to them. Especially right now, with refugee children from Central America being turned away, it is more important than ever that we read their stories so that we can understand who they are and be more compassionate,” Grande said.

Another book ambassador, Elisaveth Alvarado commented on the power of the book: “It gives an insight into the reality of the many students that come here with a similar background. Students in our school should have someone to look up to. It gave me an insight about my culture that I didn’t know.”

Readers of all backgrounds, however, will be able to learn from the book. Jonatan Ortega said, “It’s important for people to understand that most immigrants come with hope of the American dream. They are hard working people trying to make a better living for their family and to provide an opportunity to be successful for their children. More students should read the book to understand the things others have to go through.”

Grande hopes that her visit and the community of readers it may help create will encourage and inspire students. She said, “My advice for youth who are going through what I went through is to let go of your anger, hate, resentment, and whatever other negative emotions you are feeling. Instead, focus on the positive and try to do the best you can to become the person who you want to become. Lingering on the negative doesn’t get you anywhere. You can’t change the past.”

Cardenas said, “It’s an example to show that if you work hard, anything is possible.”