Themes

• Immigration and the pursuit of the American dream

• Family separation and reunification

• Cultural identity and assimilation

• Childhood experiences and their lasting impact

• Socioeconomic struggles and disparities

• Resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity

• The complex dynamics of parent-child relationships

Setting

The Distance Between Us is set primarily in Mexico and the United States during the late 20th century. The memoir spans Reyna Grande's childhood in Mexico in the 1980s through her immigration to California as a young teen. It vividly depicts life in an impoverished Mexican village as well as the challenges faced by immigrants in Southern California.

Much of the story takes place in Iguala, Guerrero, a city in southwestern Mexico where Grande spent her early years. The narrative also follows her parents' journeys across the U.S.-Mexico border as undocumented immigrants seeking work “on the other side.” Key settings include Grande's grandmother's home in Mexico and her father's residence in Los Angeles, which represent the two worlds Grande straddles.

The memoir captures a pivotal era of increased Mexican migration to the U.S., driven by economic factors and the promise of the “American Dream.” Grande's experiences illuminate the realities faced by many immigrant families during this time period, including family separation, cultural adjustment, and striving for education and opportunity in a new country. The contrasts between rural Mexico and urban California provide a compelling backdrop for Grande's coming-of-age story.

Characters

• Reyna Grande: The author and main character. She spends her early childhood in Mexico separated from her parents who have gone to work in the U.S. Later immigrates to California as a young girl to live with her father. Struggles to adapt to life in America and pursue her dream of becoming a writer.

• Mago: Reyna's older sister. Acts as a mother figure to Reyna and their younger brother Carlos when their parents are gone. Protective of her siblings and dreams of reuniting their family.

• Carlos: Reyna's younger brother. Struggles with abandonment issues and behavioral problems after being separated from their parents. Eventually follows his sisters to the U.S.

• Natalio and Juana: Reyna's father and mother. Leave their children behind in Mexico to work as undocumented immigrants in the U.S. Their absence has a profound impact on the family.

• Abuela Evila: Reyna's paternal grandmother who cares for the children in Mexico. Stern and sometimes cruel, but provides stability.

• Mila: Reyna's father's girlfriend in the U.S. Helps bring Reyna and her siblings to America. Initially kind but relationship becomes strained.

Quick facts

• The book was originally published in 2012 by Atria Books.

• It was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award in 2012.

• Grande wrote the memoir in English, though Spanish was her first language.

• The book covers Grande's childhood in Mexico and her immigration to the United States at age 9.

• It explores themes of family separation, poverty, and the pursuit of the “American Dream."

• Grande wrote the book over a period of about 2.5 years.

• The memoir is divided into three parts: “Mi Mamá Me Ama,” “Mi Papá Me Ama,” and “The Distance Between Us."

• It includes photographs from Grande's childhood in Mexico.

• A young readers edition of the book was published in 2016.

• The book has been incorporated into school curricula and “common read” programs at several universities.

About the Author

Reyna Grande is an acclaimed Mexican-American author known for her powerful memoirs and novels that explore themes of immigration, family, and cultural identity. Born in Mexico in 1975, Grande came to the United States as an undocumented immigrant at the age of nine, an experience that has profoundly shaped her writing.

Grande's literary career took off with her debut novel Across a Hundred Mountains, which won the American Book Award in 2007. She has since published several critically acclaimed works, including the memoir The Distance Between Us, which was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Awards and has become a popular choice for college reading programs nationwide.

As the first person in her family to obtain higher education, Grande earned a Bachelor's degree in Creative Writing and Film and Video from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Antioch University. Her academic background has informed her work as an educator, leading creative writing workshops and speaking at educational institutions across the country.

Grande's most recent works include the novel A Ballad of Love and Glory, set during the Mexican-American War, and an anthology titled Somewhere We Are Human, which features writings by and about undocumented Americans. Through her literature and public speaking, Grande continues to shed light on the immigrant experience and contribute to important conversations about cultural identity in America.