We Are Not From Here by Jenny Torres Sanchez Summary
Overview of We Are Not From Here
Three Guatemalan teens flee deadly gang violence on a harrowing journey north. This five-starred masterpiece earned the Pura Belpre Honor Award, capturing the migrant experience with Garcia Marquez-like intensity. What would you risk for survival when home becomes unlivable?
Similar books to We Are Not From Here
Feel the book through the author's voice
Turn knowledge into engaging, example-rich insights
Capture key ideas in a flash for fast learning
Enjoy the book in a fun and engaging way
Key takeaways
The Journey Begins with Blood on Concrete
In Puerto Barrios, Guatemala, life for teenagers Pulga, Chico, and Pequena unfolds in a world where beauty and brutality exist side by side. The cold Coca-Colas from Don Felicio's corner store and the uniquely blue sky overhead stand in stark contrast to the blood turning brown on concrete and people disappearing only to reappear in fragments. Pulga dreams of becoming an artist while caring for his gentle cousin Chico, who wears his too-small "American Eagle" shirt with innocent pride. Meanwhile, Pequena has just given birth to a baby she refuses to acknowledge-the result of sexual assault by a local gang leader named Rey. Everything changes when Pulga and Chico witness Don Felicio's murder, his throat slashed by Rey and his brother Nestor. At the wake, the murdered man's wife shares a disturbing vision: Pequena riding away on a bloody mattress, and the boys running scared. "Que corran," she warns-they must run. When Rey discovers the boys witnessed his crime, he gives them an impossible choice: join his "army" or die. In this moment, escape becomes their only option. Why does this matter? Because in places where violence becomes as common as breathing, escape isn't just a dream-it's a survival strategy. These teenagers aren't chasing the American Dream; they're fleeing a Guatemalan nightmare.
Farewell to Everything Known
La Bestia: The Train of Dreams and Death
The Price Paid in Blood and Innocence
Light in the Darkness: Unexpected Kindness
The Desert's Crucible
The Cost of Survival, The Hope of Becoming
Quick Summary Mode - Read or listen to We Are Not From Here Summary in 8 Minutes
Break down key ideas from We Are Not From Here into bite-sized takeaways to understand how innovative teams create, collaborate, and grow.
Flash Card Mode - Top 10 Insights from We Are Not From Here in a Nutshell
Distill We Are Not From Here into rapid-fire memory cues that highlight Pixar’s principles of candor, teamwork, and creative resilience.
Fun Mode - We Are Not From Here Lessons Told Through 20-Min Stories
Experience We Are Not From Here through vivid storytelling that turns Pixar’s innovation lessons into moments you’ll remember and apply.
Personalize Mode - Read or listen to We Are Not From Here Summary in 0 Minutes
Ask anything, pick the voice, and co-create insights that truly resonate with you.
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
Get the We Are Not From Here summary as a free PDF or EPUB. Print it or read offline anytime.