Dreams and Nightmares by Liliana Velásquez

Source: Liliana Velásquez

Description: At fourteen, Liliana Velásquez walked out of her village in Guatemala and headed for the U.S. border, alone. On her two-thousand-mile voyage, she was robbed by narcos, rode the boxcars of La Bestia, encountered death in the Sonoran Desert, and eventually found a loving and safe home in Philadelphia. Her memoir, Dreams and Nightmares, is written in both English and Spanish, and includes rich descriptions, scenes and dialogue. The book is an excellent way to introduce students to the immigrant experience and the website includes a Teaching Guide. As your students learn about Liliana’s story and the larger context in which her story takes place, they will develop many important skills, including research and analysis, critical thinking, creative writing, artistic presentation and communication. Each unit includes research questions, class discussions and assignments which integrate what they have learned. Of course, teachers are encouraged to integrate elements of this Guide into their existing curriculum.

Website: https://www.dreamsandnightmares.org