Where I Belong — Content Guide for Parents
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
A Pura Belpré Honor Book
An immigrant teen fights for her family, her future, and the place she calls home.
In the spring of 2018, Guatemalan American high school senior Milagros "Millie" Vargas knows her life is about to change. She has lived in Corpus Christi, Texas, ever since her parents sought asylum there when she was a baby. Now a citizen, Millie devotes herself to school and caring for her younger siblings while her mom works as a housekeeper for the wealthy Wheeler family. With college on the horizon, Millie is torn between attending her dream school and staying close to home, where she knows she's needed. She is disturbed by what's happening to asylum-seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border, but she doesn't see herself as an activist or a change-maker. She's just trying to take care of her own family.
Then Mr. Wheeler, a U.S. Senate candidate, mentions Millie's achievements in a campaign speech about "deserving" immigrants. It doesn't take long for people to identify Millie's family and place them at the center of a statewide immigration debate. Faced with journalists, trolls, anonymous threats, and the Wheelers' good intentions—especially those of Mr. Wheeler's son, Charlie—Millie must confront the complexity of her past, the uncertainty of her future, and her place in the country that she believed was home.
Frequently asked questions
Is Where I Belong appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The narrative includes a scene where someone sets the Vargas home on fire, indicating a violent act within the story. No scary content is mentioned in the search results for 'Where I Belong'.
Does Where I Belong have violence?
The narrative includes a scene where someone sets the Vargas home on fire, indicating a violent act within the story.
Does Where I Belong have scary content?
No scary content is mentioned in the search results for 'Where I Belong'.
Does Where I Belong have religious themes?
No religious practices, beliefs, or ceremonies are mentioned in the search results for 'Where I Belong'.
Does Where I Belong have racial/cultural content?
The protagonist, Milagros 'Millie' Vargas, is identified as a Guatemalan-American, and the story addresses her experiences as an immigrant against an anti-immigrant backdrop, indicating a focus on race and identity.
Does Where I Belong have profanity?
No profanity is mentioned in the search results for 'Where I Belong'.
Does Where I Belong have climate change?
No climate themes or discussions are mentioned in the search results for 'Where I Belong'.
Does Where I Belong have sexual identity?
No sexual content is mentioned in the search results for 'Where I Belong'.
Does Where I Belong have gender roles?
The protagonist's character is described as alternating between traditional roles of a perfect daughter and a rebellious teen, suggesting an exploration of gender expectations.
Does Where I Belong have lgbtq+ themes?
No LGBTQ+ themes or characters are mentioned in the search results related to 'Where I Belong'.
