Yenebi's Drive to School
by Sendy Santamaria
Chronicle Books 2023
Great fit for 2nd grade
Reading level and content both target K–3rd grade · ages 5–9
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Genre
Themes
- family love
- perseverance
- immigration and borders
- school and education
- bicultural identity
- daily routines
- community
- hope
About this book
Yenebi and her little sister wake before dawn to begin a daily commute from their home in Mexico to school across the U.S. border. As they travel, the sights and sounds of their frontera town turn a long morning drive into a lively adventure. With vibrant art and Spanish phrases, the story celebrates family, perseverance, and the many ways kids get to school. Ideal for read-alouds in early elementary, it builds empathy and sparks conversations about borders and community.
Setting: a contemporary U.S.–Mexico border town during a morning commute
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Yenebi's Drive to School right for my child?
Yes — Yenebi's Drive to School is a great fit for 2nd grade. The reading level is AR 2.6, which is typical for 2nd grade. The interest level is rated Lower Grades (K–3), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 5–9 (K–3rd grade). Themes include family love, perseverance, immigration and borders.
How long does it take to read Yenebi's Drive to School?
At a typical 2nd grade reading pace, Yenebi's Drive to School takes around 7m to finish. The book has 800 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Yenebi's Drive to School have an AR quiz?
Yes — Yenebi's Drive to School has an AR quiz available, worth 0.5 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is Yenebi's Drive to School?
Yenebi's Drive to School has an AR reading level of 2.6, which places it at a 2nd grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Lower Grades (K–3) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.