We Were Here (2021) Parents Guide: Is the book OK for kids?

Sexual content in this novel is minimal and primarily serves to illustrate the boys' adolescent perspectives and social isolation. References are limited to crude banter between Miguel, Mongol, and Rondell as they navigate their journey, often focusing on curiosity or bravado rather than graphic acts. There are mentions of attraction toward female characters they encounter, such as Juju, but these interactions remain non-explicit and focused on emotional connection. The language used in these instances includes…

Violence is a significant and recurring element, portrayed with gritty realism to reflect the harsh lives of the young protagonists. Early in the book, physical altercations are common in the group home, including a messy dining hall brawl and counselors using force to restrain residents. The boys also face physical threats during their escape, including an incident where Miguel is punched and another where a character attempts to jump from a bridge. Most central is the revelation of 'the thing' in Chapter 42…

The dialogue throughout the novel contains frequent profanity that reflects the urban settings and high-stress situations the characters face. Common expletives like 'shit,' 'hell,' 'damn,' 'ass,' and 'piss' appear regularly in both the internal monologue and spoken interactions. Occasional stronger terms, including variations of 'fuck' and racial slurs used as colloquialisms among the boys, are used to heighten the sense of realism. The tone of the language is often aggressive or defensive, particularly between…

Substance use is not the primary focus but is mentioned as a recurring backdrop in the characters' difficult upbringings. The narrative includes references to adults in the boys' pasts who struggled with alcoholism, illustrating the domestic instability that contributed to their current situation. During their journey, there are brief mentions of smoking cigarettes or the desire for substances as a coping mechanism for their intense stress. In Chapter 20, the impact of alcohol on familial relationships is…

The novel is a heavy exploration of psychological themes, specifically focusing on the burden of guilt and the difficulty of self-forgiveness. Central to the plot is the concept of restorative justice versus the punitive nature of the group home system, showing how the boys feel discarded by society. The characters deal with intense grief, systemic poverty, and the complexities of racial and ethnic identity as they travel across California. Miguel’s struggle to reconcile with his past 'crime' provides a sobering…