About The Book Club:

Welcome to The Poder Circle Book Club—a quarterly, themed book club that aims to spark and facilitate important discussion around our shared experiences, our unique stories, and the issues that affect our comunidad. As Poderistas, we want to show the world that libros by Latinxs matter—that our words have Poder. As people, we come from a long tradition of storytellers whose words have sparked movements. We honor that tradition by uplifting Latinx voices, deepening our understanding of the Latinx experience, facilitating discussion, and inspiring action through words with impact. 

 

What To Expect: 

There is no cost to join, all you have to do is subscribe to The Poder Circle Book Club list! Once signed up, you’ll receive:

  • bi-monthly Poder Circle Book Club emails
  • Exclusive Poder Circle Book Club content
  • Invitations to private events including virtual discussions with authors & the Poder Circle community
  • Quarterly discussion guides
  • Plus surprise appearances, giveaways y más

The theme of The Poder Circle Book Club is:

The Power of Resilience

This quarter, the Poder Circle Book Club is all about The Power of Resilience. We’re talking about the kind that shows up in quiet, everyday ways. It’s not just about surviving hard times. It’s about holding on to joy, memory, and identity, even when everything feels uncertain.

Resilience can mean speaking up, rebuilding when things fall apart, or finding your way in a world that tells you you don’t belong. It lives in what we carry, what we pass on, and how we keep moving forward even when it’s hard.

Join us as we explore stories that show the strength it takes to rise and rebuild. One page at a time, we’ll dive into what it means to keep dreaming, even when the odds are stacked against you.

The Featured Selection

As we explore the theme of The Power of Resilience, we can’t think of a better book to read together than:

About Dreaming of Home

A MacArthur “Genius” shares her inspiring story, from undocumented newcomer to leader in a powerful immigrant youth movement.

Dreaming of Home is a coming-of-age story for both a young woman finding her true self and a social movement of immigrant youth trailblazers who inspired the world and changed the lives of millions.

Cristina Jiménez’s family fought to stay afloat as Ecuador fell into a political and economic crisis. When she was thirteen, her family came to the US seeking a better life, landing in an overcrowded one-bedroom apartment in Queens, New York. She lived in fear of deportation and ashamed of being undocumented, but eventually, Cristina discovered she was not alone. She made it into college when students and advocates won a change in the law, allowing undocumented students to access higher education. She was proud to be the first one in her family to go to college, but she felt out of place until she met professors and student activists who opened a new world where she found her calling within a community of social justice organizers.

With deep candor and humor, Cristina shows us what it’s like to grow up undocumented and the reality that being a “good” immigrant doesn’t shield you from systemic racism, danger—or even the confusion of falling in love. She invites us to acknowledge the America that never was and to imagine the America that could be when everyday people come together, build power, and fight for change, even when the world around us seems to be crumbling.

"This is the America that gives me hope and confidence that together we can build a country where you and I – all of us, regardless of background, race, ethnicity, class, gender, faith, and immigration status can belong, live freely, and thrive."
About the author Cristina Jiménez Moreta An author, award-winning community organizer, political strategist, and a leading voice in movements for social justice. Cristina is Co-Founder and former Executive Director of  United We Dream (UWD), the largest immigrant youth-led organization in the U.S. Cristina has led multiple national campaigns for immigration justice, playing a leadership role in the campaign to win and implement the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA). She is a Distinguished Lecturer with the Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership at City College of the City University of New York (CUNY) and Leadership for Democracy and Social Justice (LDSJ). Cristina came to the U.S. from Ecuador in 1998 and grew up undocumented in Queens, NY. In recognition of her work as a community organizer and movement strategist, Cristina received a 2017 MacArthur Fellowship, the Four Freedoms Award, and a spot on the 2018 TIME 100 Most Influential People List.   Learn More

Deep Dive

After reading our featured book, keep exploring the Poder Circle quarterly theme of The Power of Resilience with a curated selection of works created by Latinas coming soon!

Accessibility 

We understand that times are tough for many and joining a book club is sometimes not within your budget. Poderistas wants to ensure we can make The Poder Circle Book Club accessible to amigas who have a financial need. To honor this, we have reserved a limited amount of books that are available on a first-come, first-served basis for those who have a need. Please email hola@poderistas.com with the email subject ‘Book Club Accessibility’ to request a copy. In your email, please include your name, mailing information, and the book you’re interested in.