At Monarch School in downtown San Diego, high school students participating in Words Alive’s Adolescent Book Group gathered in their classroom in early February 2025 to meet Ralph Inzunza, author of Border Citizen.

“I’m a little bit on both sides,” Inzunza told the students, speaking to the complexities of living between cultures. Inzunza, switching seamlessly between English and Spanish, shared his background and the inspiration behind his novel.

The students and Words Alive volunteers shared with Inzunza that they had been reading Border Citizen aloud, each student taking on different characters to bring the story to life in their classroom. Inzunza signed the students’ books and spoke of his experiences as an activist and author.

In addition to their rich discussion, Inzunza introduced students to kendama and balero, traditional skill toys that turned the room into a competition. Laughter and cheers filled the space as students took turns trying to master the tricky moves. The playful atmosphere opened the door for meaningful conversation as Inzunza asked about the students’ experiences, weaving in discussions about binational life and what it means to belong.

Above all, Inzunza wanted them to take away two things: the importance of getting involved in your community and why stepping up to lead matters.

Each year, Words Alive creates opportunities for the learners in our programs to connect with the authors and illustrators behind stories that reflect the lived experiences of our participants. Visits like these create space for young people to see themselves in literature, to hear from authors who understand their world, and to be reminded that their voices, and their futures, are worth fighting for.