118 pages 3 hours read

Matt de la Peña

We Were Here

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2009

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Essay Topics

1.

Miguel Castaneda, narrator of We Were Here, describes his mother as white and his late father as Mexican. How do these components of Miguel’s ethnic background impact his sense of belonging in society? 

2.

Consider the informal language and casual tone that Miguel uses to express himself throughout the book. How does this approach to narration influence the reader’s perception of Miguel as a character?

3.

The author introduces this story with Miguel’s account of his entry to the Juvenile Hall Detention Facility. Later in the book, he uses flashbacks to add to information about Miguel’s prior life. Why is this technique effective?

blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
Unlock IconUnlock all 118 pages of this Study Guide
Plus, gain access to 8,650+ more expert-written Study Guides.
Including features:
+ Mobile App
+ Printable PDF
+ Literary AI Tools