Header: Don’t be afraid to tell your story

Subheader: Author Reyna Grande visits OHS

Reporters: Krystal Maldonado, Sarai Diaz, and Daisy Tellez

WC: 352

Issue 2

The Distance Between Us Reyna Grande

Reyna Grande is a Latina author known for her bestselling book, The Distance Between us. She decided to present her most current published book, along by talking about her life as an immigrant which many Oxnard High School (OHS) students can relate to in their family history.

She was born in Iguala, Guerrero, Mexico, where 43 college students disappeared in 2014. Reyna was two years old when her father left to the U.S. to find work. Her mother followed her father north two years later, leaving Reyna and her siblings behind in Mexico being raised by her grandparents. In 1985 when Reyna was nine years old, she attempted to cross the border three times before she finally made it into the United States. She later went on to become the first person in her family to graduate from college.

Reyna Grande had came to OHS to present her book, The Distance Between Us. As she began her presentation she gave us background information about her idea about how  publishing her story started. Grande started writing at the age of 13 in her journal. She felt as if the topic on “immigration” is not talked about enough. That is what inspired her to open up about her personal story even though it was painful to write. “I realized that writing about myself I felt free, I became a different person.” said Grande.   

Grande did not realize how passionate and talented she was about writing when she was in her home town Iguala, Guerrero, Mexico since she was so caught up in trying to survive another day. Considering her childhood trauma involving separation of parents, abuse, and the thought of being replaced she lost a lot but gained a whole new life. “I will no longer be ashamed of those things.. Lessons helped me succeed in life.” said Grande.

  Currently Reyna teaches creative writing at UCLA Extension and is at work on her next novel.