Books like We were here by Matt de la Peña
After a run‑away, a teenage Miguel is ordered by a judge to spend a year in a California group home and to keep a journal that a counselor will use to understand him. The experience forces him to confront the strained relationship with his mother, the presence of his brother, and his own sense of guilt. Amid the challenges of group home life, Miguel meets people who shape his perspective, and his desire to reach the Mexican border fuels his longing for a fresh start. The story explores themes of friendship, family conflict, and the tough choice between escaping and confronting the future.
The novel follows Miguel’s internal journey as he wrestles with the reality that running away may bring him closer to what he is trying to avoid.
First publish date: 2009
Genre: Children's Fiction/Children's Adventure
Authors: Matt de la Peña
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