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Someone Like Me: How One Undocumented Girl Fought for Her American Dream
Born in the picturesque town of Taxco, Mexico, Julissa Arce was left behind for months at a time with her two sisters, a nanny, and her grandma while her parents worked tirelessly in America in hopes of building a home and providing a better life for their children. That is, until her parents brought Julissa to Texas to live with them. From then on, Julissa secretly lived as an undocumented immigrant, went on to become a scholarship winner and an honors college graduate, and climbed the ladder to become a vice president at Goldman Sachs.
This moving, at times heartbreaking, but always inspiring story will show young readers that anything is possible. Julissa's story provides a deep look into the little-understood world of a new generation of undocumented immigrants in the United States today-kids who live next door, sit next to you in class, or may even be one of your best friends.
This moving, at times heartbreaking, but always inspiring story will show young readers that anything is possible. Julissa's story provides a deep look into the little-understood world of a new generation of undocumented immigrants in the United States today-kids who live next door, sit next to you in class, or may even be one of your best friends.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published September 4, 2018
38 people are currently reading
1386 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
February 11, 2020
I read this as part of a college assignment but was hopeful that it would prove to be a good addition to my classroom library. Unfortunately, the reading level is lower than I expected and it would be, I think, a lower middle school book. The book tells the story of a young Mexican girl brought to America as a small child by her parents as they looked for work. Her family deals with personal difficulties as her father descends into alcoholism and becomes abusive and is eventually deported. The real crisis in Julissa's life is when she realizes that she cannot get financial aid to attend college because of her immigration status. Fortunately for her, state legislation goes into effect at the perfect moment for her and she is able to register for college.
It's a very topical story and would work for high school students who read below grade-level.
It's a very topical story and would work for high school students who read below grade-level.
November 23, 2018
This is an amazing book. I had the pleasure of meeting Julissa at the Texas Book Festival in Austin this past fall and was so impressed by her. She has a great story that all students deserve to hear. It is very well written that my fifth graders will be able to read it and relate to her experience. She talks about very adult issues at a level that is appropriate for younger readers and give Latino students the opportunity to see their experiences validated in her story. Thank you, Julissa, for sharing your voice.
July 5, 2018
While I enjoyed the book I was disappointed in the story and am torn between compassion and justice. There were two points where they could've stepped back to be legal immigrants given some time. I wish the family would've gone back and applied for a student visa to arrive legal. I would've been nice if the school would've also encouraged or sponsored this path. On the other hand, if I was in the same place I may have done the same for my children. Hence, this is the complexity of the immigration dilemma that we find ourselves in.
September 10, 2020
There was - and still is -- a feeling of shame that if you didn't speak English, it meant you weren't smart. This is not true, of course, but appearances are everything in America. Somehow ESL means "remedial to a lot of people, when it should mean "I speak one more language than you do."
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Grabbed this biography from my #backlist before I left school for the year because I've been eyeing it for a while. It didn't disappoint. Julissa Arce writes passionately about her life in Mexico and Texas and how hard she worked to accomplish her dreams. For a long time, her parents left she and her siblings in Mexico with her grandmother and nannies while they worked in America. She would go months without seeing her parents. When she moved to Texas to be with her parents, they enrolled her in school without a Social Security number. Later, she discovered what this meant -- she was undocumented and would therefore not be able to attend the colleges she hoped to. Luckily for her, Texas made it possible for Dreamers to attend state colleges under certain conditions at the exact right time for her education.
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Arce doesn't hold back from sharing the times she experienced racism or prejudice. She also details the physical abuse she endured from her father who suffered from alcoholism and depression. It's an honest book -- there's pain, suffering, and struggle in Arce's experience. Her significant accomplishments since then (vice president at Goldman Sachs and #socialjusticewarrior for her organization @ascendfundny) are all the more impressive.
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The recent Supreme Court decision to protect #Dreamers and the DACA program is worth celebrating, but more importantly, Dreamers and other undocumented immigrants need a path to citizenship. As Arce shows in her book, undocumented immigrants are your classmates, your friends; they are all around us. We need to not only #protectdada, but also push for #immigrationreform.
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.
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Grabbed this biography from my #backlist before I left school for the year because I've been eyeing it for a while. It didn't disappoint. Julissa Arce writes passionately about her life in Mexico and Texas and how hard she worked to accomplish her dreams. For a long time, her parents left she and her siblings in Mexico with her grandmother and nannies while they worked in America. She would go months without seeing her parents. When she moved to Texas to be with her parents, they enrolled her in school without a Social Security number. Later, she discovered what this meant -- she was undocumented and would therefore not be able to attend the colleges she hoped to. Luckily for her, Texas made it possible for Dreamers to attend state colleges under certain conditions at the exact right time for her education.
.
.
.
Arce doesn't hold back from sharing the times she experienced racism or prejudice. She also details the physical abuse she endured from her father who suffered from alcoholism and depression. It's an honest book -- there's pain, suffering, and struggle in Arce's experience. Her significant accomplishments since then (vice president at Goldman Sachs and #socialjusticewarrior for her organization @ascendfundny) are all the more impressive.
.
.
.
The recent Supreme Court decision to protect #Dreamers and the DACA program is worth celebrating, but more importantly, Dreamers and other undocumented immigrants need a path to citizenship. As Arce shows in her book, undocumented immigrants are your classmates, your friends; they are all around us. We need to not only #protectdada, but also push for #immigrationreform.
May 30, 2019
Reread update: Such a hit with my middle schoolers. Drew my most diverse crowd of students. We shared immigration stories, discussed domestic abuse, hardworking women, family sacrifice, and forgiveness. Timely and important and was able to unearth lots of truths among my young people. Would recommend as a book club book especially with 6th grade!
I read this in anticipation of meeting the author in a few weeks. Arce's story of growing up in Taxco, Mexico and then later in San Antonio, TX undocumented is a hard one to put down. Her deep desire to spend more time with her entrepreneurial mother and the tension she feels twoards her caring and abusive father is put on paper so openly. Arce's supportive extended family and her hard work help her to succeed in school and beyond. I think my middle grade students will love and appreciate this book and, if they have the opportunity to meet her soon, they'll be blown away.
I read this in anticipation of meeting the author in a few weeks. Arce's story of growing up in Taxco, Mexico and then later in San Antonio, TX undocumented is a hard one to put down. Her deep desire to spend more time with her entrepreneurial mother and the tension she feels twoards her caring and abusive father is put on paper so openly. Arce's supportive extended family and her hard work help her to succeed in school and beyond. I think my middle grade students will love and appreciate this book and, if they have the opportunity to meet her soon, they'll be blown away.
June 18, 2018
It is a very timely read. If you want to understand what it is like to be an undocumented immigrant, this is the book for you. Everyone just wants to feel accepted. Julissa’s story is compelling. She is a voice we all need to listen to.
September 19, 2020
This book was picked as a battle of the books book for 2019-2020 4th-6th graders. It is a memoir of an undocumented child living in Texas. I thought it was really well done and was enjoyable and emotional even for an adult to read!
January 5, 2019
Although it was informative it was a dry read.
October 31, 2023
A quick read, this book tells the story of a young Mexican girl whose parents worked tirelessly to give her a better life. Initially, they traveled all over Mexico selling their wares at festivals and fiestas and eventually started selling silver jewelry in the US. They came and went in and out of their kids' lives, constantly working to provide better opportunities. There came a time when Julissa was getting into trouble because she was missing her parents so much that they decided to bring her with them to the US. She came on a tourist visa, but they were here on work visas so could stay longer. They enrolled Julissa in private school and she stayed through college and beyond. This is her story of her family, but also her education and how she managed life as an undocumented immigrant. Told in an honest, straightforward manner, the reader gets a look at why one family chose to break the law to give their child a better life. While I'm sure there are as many reasons as there are people, this is a great intro to the subject for the middle grade audience. It will spark lots of discussion.
May 5, 2020
This book depicts the true story of a young Mexican girl whose parents are trying to give her a better life in the United States. She doesn't have a current visa and must live as an undocumented immigrant while she peruses her dreams. I would recommend that children in 5th grade-8th grade read this book because it gives the opportunity to understand what it is like to be an undocumented immigrant through the words of an actual account happening.
August 12, 2021
It was very moving to read Julissa’s story and all the hardships she overcame. Definitely want my kids to read this one. (I found out after I started reading that the author wrote this as a YA version to her original book, but I’m glad I read this version to share with my kids!)
March 29, 2023
Nicely written memoir about a young woman living undocumented with her family in the U.S. It offered a view into the lives of Julissa Arce and her family and their struggles to make a living and get education in a country where they're not wanted.
December 13, 2024
Gorgeous, sentimental book. thanks for being the last one in my reading challenge. I have to admit your parents really frustrated me and you gave them so much love
June 19, 2022
lf more people read narratives like this one, there would be more compassion towards the plight of immigrants and their families in our country. No magic solutions—just more empathy and stronger drive to work towards solutions.
December 7, 2022
Everyone should read this.
Julissa really didn't have a perfect childhood, and she wasn't always the best student, but she worked hard and got incredibly lucky that the Texas Dream Act (or something) passed at just the right time to benefit her.
Julissa really didn't have a perfect childhood, and she wasn't always the best student, but she worked hard and got incredibly lucky that the Texas Dream Act (or something) passed at just the right time to benefit her.
February 7, 2019
A very intriguing story of a young Mexican girl whose parents are trying to give her a better life in the United States. She doesn’t have a current visa and must live as an undocumented immigrant while she peruses her dreams. While this isn’t the best written book I’ve read, I’d highly recommended it to everyone; especially those who struggle with immigration issues.
February 8, 2019
Such an emotional and eye opening story of undocumented children and the struggles they have to go through to survive and succeed in the U.S. Definitely a must read!!!
February 3, 2019
Determined
What a great story. I’m so happy to know you got yourself through college. I cannot believe what a nightmare that was to get accepted. I pray that all dreamers find their American dream as well.
What a great story. I’m so happy to know you got yourself through college. I cannot believe what a nightmare that was to get accepted. I pray that all dreamers find their American dream as well.
January 27, 2019
This book sheds light on the plight of the Dreamers who came to this country as children and know no other home but United States. It reminded me of Reyna Grande's A Distance Between Us and sure enough, in acknowledgment section Arce wrote that Grande was her inspiration and mentor.
October 28, 2018
Intrigued by the title since my fourth grade students read a great deal about the topic of immigration (Discover Kids: Immigration, Voices From the Field, Angel Island and Esperanza Rising), I wanted to know hear a first hand account of a modern day child struggling with planting two feet firmly in two different lands. Someone Like Me doesn’t disappoint in that aspect.
The author gives her reader an unfiltered view of life without legal documentation; the fear of being discovered and sent back to Mexico drives nearly all of her decisions.
An unflinching look at her life first in a small Mexican town and then in the town I know and love (and live), San Antonio, Arce spares no sordid details. We see the backbone of her family, her mother, work tirelessly to ensure that the family continues to move forward despite setback after setback. We see her father’s volatility grow thanks to the flames of an excess of alcohol and the pressures of being, in essence, a single parent for much of the week.
While I believe this is a story our kids need to read, to know, to empathize with, I am torn. Is it a well-written book? No. Simplistic, bordering on pedantic, I found myself often distracted by the writing. Did I turn the pages quickly? Yes. I wanted to know what happened to her at each stage of life, and could swallow whole phrases quickly due to the style of writing.
Did she work hard to earn a spot at UT Austin? Certainly. But I also happen to be well acquainted with the high school from which she graduated, and know all too well how much my own oldest son toiled at a considerably more academically rigorous high school in the same town. He was not admitted.
So I am torn.
This is an important, timely story. It is one that I am deeply vested in as a human, as a mother, as an educator. It is also not strongly written and yanks at my own mama heartstrings at both the justice AND injustice I felt while reading it.
I’m human. And it succeeded in pulling on all of those feelings-much like this complicated topic. This is why we must talk about it often, and in even, quiet, respectful tones.
*Full disclosure: The middle school the author attended is the same school my own husband attended. The public high school she graduated from is the feeder school where I used to teach.
The author gives her reader an unfiltered view of life without legal documentation; the fear of being discovered and sent back to Mexico drives nearly all of her decisions.
An unflinching look at her life first in a small Mexican town and then in the town I know and love (and live), San Antonio, Arce spares no sordid details. We see the backbone of her family, her mother, work tirelessly to ensure that the family continues to move forward despite setback after setback. We see her father’s volatility grow thanks to the flames of an excess of alcohol and the pressures of being, in essence, a single parent for much of the week.
While I believe this is a story our kids need to read, to know, to empathize with, I am torn. Is it a well-written book? No. Simplistic, bordering on pedantic, I found myself often distracted by the writing. Did I turn the pages quickly? Yes. I wanted to know what happened to her at each stage of life, and could swallow whole phrases quickly due to the style of writing.
Did she work hard to earn a spot at UT Austin? Certainly. But I also happen to be well acquainted with the high school from which she graduated, and know all too well how much my own oldest son toiled at a considerably more academically rigorous high school in the same town. He was not admitted.
So I am torn.
This is an important, timely story. It is one that I am deeply vested in as a human, as a mother, as an educator. It is also not strongly written and yanks at my own mama heartstrings at both the justice AND injustice I felt while reading it.
I’m human. And it succeeded in pulling on all of those feelings-much like this complicated topic. This is why we must talk about it often, and in even, quiet, respectful tones.
*Full disclosure: The middle school the author attended is the same school my own husband attended. The public high school she graduated from is the feeder school where I used to teach.
December 14, 2018
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Having been born in Mexico in a bathroom stall two months early, Julissa’s indomitable spirit carries her throughout her life. She begins telling her story on her presentatcion de los tres años, the day she turned three years old. Throughout her childhood, Julissa’s parents travel to festivals all over Mexico, selling cantaritos. In the close knit town of Taxco, Julissa and her two older sisters have many relatives to help watch after them; though, they primarily are cared for by their beloved nanny Cande. Eventually, Julissa’s parents gain work visas and begin traveling to the States to sell their Taxco’s sterling silver. While Julissa’s parents spend most of their year in America, Julissa and her sisters visit for summers on tourist visas. When Julissa’s sisters return to Mexico at the end of the summer before she enters middle school, her mom informs Julissa that she’ll be staying in Texas with them. Thrilled to be with her parents and her baby brother Julio (born in America), Julissa is enrolled in a Catholic school, though there is no ESL program. With an understanding teacher and one classmate who speaks Spanish, Julissa begins her American education. Met with many challenges and frustrations over the next several years, Julissa perseveres with hopes of eventually achieving her American Dream.
THOUGHTS: Through descriptions of her life in Mexico and America, Julisssa’s story helps readers understand why families want to achieve an American Dream, even when they’re not born in America. This “own voices” story is an excellent addition for middle or high school libraries where heartfelt memoirs are popular.
Having been born in Mexico in a bathroom stall two months early, Julissa’s indomitable spirit carries her throughout her life. She begins telling her story on her presentatcion de los tres años, the day she turned three years old. Throughout her childhood, Julissa’s parents travel to festivals all over Mexico, selling cantaritos. In the close knit town of Taxco, Julissa and her two older sisters have many relatives to help watch after them; though, they primarily are cared for by their beloved nanny Cande. Eventually, Julissa’s parents gain work visas and begin traveling to the States to sell their Taxco’s sterling silver. While Julissa’s parents spend most of their year in America, Julissa and her sisters visit for summers on tourist visas. When Julissa’s sisters return to Mexico at the end of the summer before she enters middle school, her mom informs Julissa that she’ll be staying in Texas with them. Thrilled to be with her parents and her baby brother Julio (born in America), Julissa is enrolled in a Catholic school, though there is no ESL program. With an understanding teacher and one classmate who speaks Spanish, Julissa begins her American education. Met with many challenges and frustrations over the next several years, Julissa perseveres with hopes of eventually achieving her American Dream.
THOUGHTS: Through descriptions of her life in Mexico and America, Julisssa’s story helps readers understand why families want to achieve an American Dream, even when they’re not born in America. This “own voices” story is an excellent addition for middle or high school libraries where heartfelt memoirs are popular.
October 20, 2018
This moving read is so very timely. The politicians may argue the issue, but this inside story reminds us that dreamers are individuals who have hopes and goals. One thing that really struck me was the isolation felt by young Julissa. It is a story of overcoming adversity and becoming successful through hard work, lots and lots of hard work. This book would be a great book discussion selection.
November 3, 2018
I've been reading 2018 kids' nonfiction since January and like school reading, I'm getting to a point where a lot of things start to all feel the same....this was definitely not one of those though! Well narrated, quick to read, super relevant and timely, and more things I probably need to think more about.
December 17, 2018
My problems with this book would all be solved if it was much longer. I read it in about an hour, and it felt quick. I don’t know that it was particularly well written, but Julissa’s story is an amazing one. One that deserved many more pages!
August 10, 2018
Timely.
October 23, 2018
A clear and poignant tale of the struggles and complications of immigration in this country. I'm glad to have it in my classroom!
October 25, 2018
Interesting person and important voice, but I didn't love the YA retelling/editing of this edition.
January 18, 2022
On the day I turned three years old, my mom scrambled to get everything ready so we could go to church for my presentacion de los tres años.
Born in Mexico, Julissa grew up with her older sisters, nanny, and grandmother while her parents would be gone for months at a time trying to provide for their family by working in America. As time went on, the arrangement became unsustainable and her parents brought Julissa to live with them in Texas. Julissa was not aware of her undocumented status until high school, otherwise she lived much like a normal child and teen in America. She learned English, attended school, and even became a cheerleader. When it came time to go to college, she discovered that she was undocumented and would not qualify for any financial aid. This is the story of her life as a Dreamer and her fight for an education, which would lead her to become a successful businesswoman and advocate for others like her.
I was interested in this book since I haven't read a memoir by an undocumented immigrant or DACA recipient. Julissa's story is heart-breaking at times, but her determination is inspirational. I really felt for her, especially because of some of the things that her parents did. The book really illustrates the lack of choice that someone brought here as a small child has, and that is really the heartbreak of the Dreamers. They are considered criminals because of things that were out of their control. I appreciate Julissa giving a face to the issue, since many others are not in the position to do so.
This is a book for young readers, so it is fairly surface-level and only really focuses on her years leading up to high school graduation, though the epilogue does give some information about her adult life. I do wonder if her adult book covers more of that information and may check it out at some point. But, it is a great read for children and teens who want to know more about the Dreamer experience for kids.
I definitely recommend this to just about everyone, it is a personal story of an issue that affects over half a million people in this country, so it is a worthwhile read to understand some of what goes into undocumented immigration. It does cover some tough topics (see content warning below) so it may not be a book that everyone can read though. I found it to be an enlightening and important read.
CW: alcoholism, bullying, child abuse, death of a prominent character, domestic abuse, incarceration, medical procedures, racist language
Born in Mexico, Julissa grew up with her older sisters, nanny, and grandmother while her parents would be gone for months at a time trying to provide for their family by working in America. As time went on, the arrangement became unsustainable and her parents brought Julissa to live with them in Texas. Julissa was not aware of her undocumented status until high school, otherwise she lived much like a normal child and teen in America. She learned English, attended school, and even became a cheerleader. When it came time to go to college, she discovered that she was undocumented and would not qualify for any financial aid. This is the story of her life as a Dreamer and her fight for an education, which would lead her to become a successful businesswoman and advocate for others like her.
I was interested in this book since I haven't read a memoir by an undocumented immigrant or DACA recipient. Julissa's story is heart-breaking at times, but her determination is inspirational. I really felt for her, especially because of some of the things that her parents did. The book really illustrates the lack of choice that someone brought here as a small child has, and that is really the heartbreak of the Dreamers. They are considered criminals because of things that were out of their control. I appreciate Julissa giving a face to the issue, since many others are not in the position to do so.
This is a book for young readers, so it is fairly surface-level and only really focuses on her years leading up to high school graduation, though the epilogue does give some information about her adult life. I do wonder if her adult book covers more of that information and may check it out at some point. But, it is a great read for children and teens who want to know more about the Dreamer experience for kids.
I definitely recommend this to just about everyone, it is a personal story of an issue that affects over half a million people in this country, so it is a worthwhile read to understand some of what goes into undocumented immigration. It does cover some tough topics (see content warning below) so it may not be a book that everyone can read though. I found it to be an enlightening and important read.
CW: alcoholism, bullying, child abuse, death of a prominent character, domestic abuse, incarceration, medical procedures, racist language
September 2, 2022
I don't know who Arce is, but I was interested in this book given how she moved to the U.S. at the age of 10 as an undocumented child and was only able to gain immigration status after marrying her college boyfriend.
Her parents always worked very hard to ensure their three daughters (and later, son) could have a life better than their own. They were too poor for the rich in Taxco, Mexico, and too rich for the poor--not that they were rich. But, better off, especially after they ended up in the U.S. selling silver on work visas. After her sisters left home for school, Julissa began acting out, sometimes without realizing that what she was doing was wrong. She was 10, after all. But her grandmother sent her to Texas to live with her parents, where she attended a private school that causes her to face racism real hard, real fast. But because mom perseveres, so does she.
Her mom has been such a positive influence on her life. Dad had the potential to be, until he started drinking and became abusive.
Being without a SSN though caused further problems, even after attending public high school. She was unable to leave the U.S., even when her parents did to visit family. She was constantly denied access to colleges and universities, despite her grades. She couldn't qualify for financial aid; and because of family money issues, she couldn't even afford community college. Still, she applied, and had great support from all her family, teachers, and friends. Then House Bill 1403, allowing undocumented immigrants to attend college in TX, passed, and Julissa's life changed yet again.
It's a great story and yet so sad knowing how much work and stress that many immigrants have to face, as well as inane suspicion just for being from Mexico.
Her parents always worked very hard to ensure their three daughters (and later, son) could have a life better than their own. They were too poor for the rich in Taxco, Mexico, and too rich for the poor--not that they were rich. But, better off, especially after they ended up in the U.S. selling silver on work visas. After her sisters left home for school, Julissa began acting out, sometimes without realizing that what she was doing was wrong. She was 10, after all. But her grandmother sent her to Texas to live with her parents, where she attended a private school that causes her to face racism real hard, real fast. But because mom perseveres, so does she.
Her mom has been such a positive influence on her life. Dad had the potential to be, until he started drinking and became abusive.
Being without a SSN though caused further problems, even after attending public high school. She was unable to leave the U.S., even when her parents did to visit family. She was constantly denied access to colleges and universities, despite her grades. She couldn't qualify for financial aid; and because of family money issues, she couldn't even afford community college. Still, she applied, and had great support from all her family, teachers, and friends. Then House Bill 1403, allowing undocumented immigrants to attend college in TX, passed, and Julissa's life changed yet again.
It's a great story and yet so sad knowing how much work and stress that many immigrants have to face, as well as inane suspicion just for being from Mexico.
Read
April 21, 2020Title: Someone Like Me: How One Undocumented Girl Fought for Her American Dream
Author: Lucinda Dyer
How would you describe the plot?
A girl who is an immigrant feels out of place, but that doesn’t stop her from chasing her dreams.
How would you describe the characters?
Julissa- (main character) is really heart driven and doesn’t let what others think, bring her down.
What is the main conflict?
She lives in a different life than most other girls. She is an immigrant who doesn’t have a lot of resources here in the US.
What is the main theme?
A young immigrant girl achieves her goals.
How would you describe the author’s style?
There are memoir’s in the book, so the author plays off of what Julissa writes about.
What point of view does the author use?
First person
Share your thoughts on the design and layout of the book.
The way the author puts the memoirs and the text together is awesome.
What lessons could you teach with this text? Please provide at least two of the Arkansas State Standards you would use in a lesson.
RI.6.9, W.6.7
.9- I would have my students compare and contrast how the author differentiates from the memoir’s in the book. They will have partners for this activity.
.7- After they compared and contrasted, I would ask them to do research a little more about Julissa and the types of struggles she went through. Then they will come up with a research project to go over more about Julissa.
What is your overall assessment of the book?
Very educational and a great book to read not only for girls but just an overall role model book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews