Behind the Mountains (First Person Ficton Story)

Author: Edwidge Danticat

Living in rural Haiti, Celiane Esperance, her mother, and brother Moy anxiously await the cassettes Papa sends them from New York each month. Forced by economic circumstances to seek work in America, Papa has been gone for three years and the family anticipates joining him when the proper visas can be arranged. While visiting an aunt in Port-Au-Prince, Celiane and her mother are nearly killed by a bomb, leaving them more determined to join Papa. However, the family finds that there are more challenges to face when they are reunited with Papa in New York. Celiane shares her feelings about her family and experiences through the diary she was awarded by her teacher in Haiti. Beautifully written by Edwidge Danticat, (recognized by The New York Times as one of our best young writers), Behind The Mountains explores the themes of coming of age, family relationships, separation and reunification, as well as immigration and cultural identity. Behind The Mountains is one of the books in the Scholastic First Person Fiction series exploring the experiences of teenagers of various backgrounds who immigrate to America.

Behind the Mountains

Year Released: 2004

Grades 6-9