Between Us and Abuela: A Family Story from the Border

Maria and Juan are traveling to see their grandmother on the border of California and Mexico for Christmas. Maria makes a kite out of Juan's gift to fly over the fence and share stories and gifts with their grandmother.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 40 pages
Publication date: 15 January 2024
Publisher: Palgrave USA

It's almost Christmas, and Maria is traveling with her mother and younger brother, Juan, to visit their grandmother on the border of California and Mexico. For the few minutes they can share together along the fence, Maria and her brother plan to exchange stories and Christmas gifts with the grandmother they haven't seen in years. But when Juan's gift is too big to fit through the slats in the fence, Maria has a brilliant idea. She makes it into a kite that soars over the top of the iron bars.

As the kite dances in the wind, it catches the attention of a group of children on the Mexican side of the border. They run over to the fence, amazed by the beautiful kite and the two siblings sharing a special moment. Maria and Juan are overjoyed to see the children's smiles and laughter, and they quickly strike up a conversation with them.

The children tell Maria and Juan about their lives in Mexico, and they share stories about their family and traditions. Maria and Juan are fascinated by the children's culture and the way they celebrate Christmas. They learn about the importance of family, community, and the joy of giving.

As the sun sets, the kite begins to lose altitude, and Maria and Juan know that it's time to say goodbye to their new friends. They wave goodbye to the children, promising to return soon and continue their conversation. As they walk back to their car, Maria and Juan are filled with gratitude for the opportunity to share their culture and learn about another. They know that the border between Mexico and the United States may be a physical barrier, but it cannot divide the love and connection between families.

The miracle of love is a powerful theme in this story, and it reminds us that no matter where we come from or who we are, we all have the ability to connect with others and create meaningful relationships. Maria and Juan's story is a beautiful example of how love can transcend boundaries and bring people together, even in the most challenging circumstances.

As they drive away from the border, Maria and Juan are filled with anticipation for Christmas morning. They know that their grandmother will be thrilled to see them and to receive the special gift that Maria made for her. And they also know that the memories of their encounter with the children on the Mexican side of the border will stay with them forever, reminding them of the power of love and the importance of embracing diversity.

In conclusion, Maria and Juan's journey to visit their grandmother on the border of California and Mexico is a heartwarming tale of multicultural families and the miracle of love. Through their encounter with the children on the Mexican side of the border, they learn about the importance of family, community, and the joy of giving. The miracle of love reminds us that no matter where we come from or who we are, we all have the ability to connect with others and create meaningful relationships. Maria and Juan's story is a beautiful example of how love can transcend boundaries and bring people together, even in the most challenging circumstances.

Weight: 192g
Dimension: 215 x 281 x 5 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781250895318