A Dream Called Home

A Memoir

By: Reyna Grande

Narrated by: Yareli Arizmendi

“Here is a life story so unbelievable, it could only be true.” —Sandra Cisneros, bestselling author of The House on Mango Street

From bestselling author of the remarkable memoir The Distance Between Us comes an inspiring account of one woman’s quest to find her place in America as a first-generation Latina university student and aspiring writer determined to build a new life for her family one fearless word at a time.

As an immigrant in an unfamiliar country, with an indifferent mother and abusive father, Reyna had few resources at her disposal. Taking refuge in words, Reyna’s love of reading and writing propels her to rise above until she achieves the impossible and is accepted to the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Although her acceptance is a triumph, the actual experience of American college life is intimidating and unfamiliar for someone like Reyna, who is now estranged from her family and support system. Again, she finds solace in words, holding fast to her vision of becoming a writer, only to discover she knows nothing about what it takes to make a career out of a dream.

Through it all, Reyna is determined to make the impossible possible, going from undocumented immigrant of little means to “a fierce, smart, shimmering light of a writer” (Cheryl Strayed, author of Wild); a National Book Critics Circle Award Finalist whose “power is growing with every book” (Luis Alberto Urrea, Pultizer Prize finalist); and a proud mother of two beautiful children who will never have to know the pain of poverty and neglect.

Told in Reyna’s exquisite, heartfelt prose, A Dream Called Home demonstrates how, by daring to pursue her dreams, Reyna was able to build the one thing she had always longed for: a home that would endure.

The immigrant truth in print

A wonderful account of the immigrant story. At so many points along the way I saw my own life mirrored in Reyna’s experiences. Thank you for writing out story. Thank you for giving my students an opportunity to see themselves in a story.

Great memoir

I listened to this book for one of my doctoral classes. The story is great and the flow is at a good pace. I have already recommended this book to a few people and will continue to do so. Thanks Reyna for sharing your story.

Amazing story of courage and perseverance.

This is an interesting story about courage, perseverance and hope. Growing up as a middle class American, I never lacked food on the table, a roof over my head nor the opportunity to get an education. The honesty and integrity of this authors story opened my eyes to a culture less fortunate than my own. Yet, despite obstacles along the way
, the author attended university and followed her dream to be a writer.

Couldn’t stop

I’ve always been an avid reader. As I got older I couldn’t focus like before. I’m as able to liste to the whole book without any interruptions. I loved the story.

The story/memories was soothingly told!

The story was soothing, despite the hard memories of author growing up. It was truthful and self examining. Loved it! Will recommend to my young family members who are now 2nd & 3rd generation Mexican-American, Chicano, Latin, proud people of color!