Areli Is a Dreamer

A True Story by Areli Morales, a DACA Recipient

$5.00 US
Audio | Listening Library
On sale Jun 08, 2021 | 16 Minutes | 9780593399170
Age 4-8 years
Sales rights: World
In the first picture book written by a DACA Dreamer, Areli Morales tells her own powerful and vibrant immigration story.

When Areli was just a baby, her mama and papa moved from Mexico to New York with her brother, Alex, to make a better life for the family--and when she was in kindergarten, they sent for her, too.
 
Everything in New York was different. Gone were the Saturdays at Abuela’s house, filled with cousins and sunshine. Instead, things were busy and fast and noisy. Areli’s limited English came out wrong, and schoolmates accused her of being illegal. But with time, America became her home. And she saw it as a land of opportunity, where millions of immigrants who came before her paved their own paths. She knew she would, too.
 
This is a moving story--one that resonates with millions of immigrants who make up the fabric of our country--about one girl living in two worlds, a girl whose DACA application was eventually approved and who is now living her American dream.
 
The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is an immigration policy that has provided relief to thousands of undocumented children, referred to as “Dreamers,” who came to the United States as children and call this country home.
 
  • SELECTION | 2022
    ALSC Notable Children's Books
  • SELECTION | 2022
    Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices
  • HONOR | 2022
    International Literacy Association
  • SELECTION | 2022
    Kansas National Education Association Reading Circle Catalog
  • SELECTION | 2022
    CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young Readers
A confident, heartfelt story…. Powerful in its cleareyed optimism.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"This beautifully illustrated picture book presents hardships that many undocumented children face when making the journey to America.... Highly recommended." —Booklist, starred review

This book could be used in a social science class highlighting Areli’s capacity to adapt and thrive as she navigates her new environment. It contains an author’s note addressing the fragility of the DACA program and back matter with a glossary defining the Spanish language terms in the story…A moving biographical picture book.” —School Library Journal

Areli Is a Dreamer - Read Aloud Picture Book | Brightly Storytime

Educator Guide for Areli Is a Dreamer

Classroom-based guides appropriate for schools and colleges provide pre-reading and classroom activities, discussion questions connected to the curriculum, further reading, and resources.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

Classroom Activities for Areli Is a Dreamer

Classroom activities supplement discussion and traditional lessons with group projects and creative tasks. Can be used in pre-existing units and lessons, or as stand-alone.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

Discussion Guide for Areli Is a Dreamer

Provides questions, discussion topics, suggested reading lists, introductions and/or author Q&As, which are intended to enhance reading groups’ experiences.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

About

In the first picture book written by a DACA Dreamer, Areli Morales tells her own powerful and vibrant immigration story.

When Areli was just a baby, her mama and papa moved from Mexico to New York with her brother, Alex, to make a better life for the family--and when she was in kindergarten, they sent for her, too.
 
Everything in New York was different. Gone were the Saturdays at Abuela’s house, filled with cousins and sunshine. Instead, things were busy and fast and noisy. Areli’s limited English came out wrong, and schoolmates accused her of being illegal. But with time, America became her home. And she saw it as a land of opportunity, where millions of immigrants who came before her paved their own paths. She knew she would, too.
 
This is a moving story--one that resonates with millions of immigrants who make up the fabric of our country--about one girl living in two worlds, a girl whose DACA application was eventually approved and who is now living her American dream.
 
The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is an immigration policy that has provided relief to thousands of undocumented children, referred to as “Dreamers,” who came to the United States as children and call this country home.
 

Awards

  • SELECTION | 2022
    ALSC Notable Children's Books
  • SELECTION | 2022
    Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices
  • HONOR | 2022
    International Literacy Association
  • SELECTION | 2022
    Kansas National Education Association Reading Circle Catalog
  • SELECTION | 2022
    CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young Readers

Praise

A confident, heartfelt story…. Powerful in its cleareyed optimism.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"This beautifully illustrated picture book presents hardships that many undocumented children face when making the journey to America.... Highly recommended." —Booklist, starred review

This book could be used in a social science class highlighting Areli’s capacity to adapt and thrive as she navigates her new environment. It contains an author’s note addressing the fragility of the DACA program and back matter with a glossary defining the Spanish language terms in the story…A moving biographical picture book.” —School Library Journal

Media

Areli Is a Dreamer - Read Aloud Picture Book | Brightly Storytime

Guides

Educator Guide for Areli Is a Dreamer

Classroom-based guides appropriate for schools and colleges provide pre-reading and classroom activities, discussion questions connected to the curriculum, further reading, and resources.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

Classroom Activities for Areli Is a Dreamer

Classroom activities supplement discussion and traditional lessons with group projects and creative tasks. Can be used in pre-existing units and lessons, or as stand-alone.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

Discussion Guide for Areli Is a Dreamer

Provides questions, discussion topics, suggested reading lists, introductions and/or author Q&As, which are intended to enhance reading groups’ experiences.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)