Before I Lived Here
Before I Lived Here by Stacy S. Jensen, published by Neal Porter Books in 2025, invites readers on a journey through the layers of history that have shaped their neighborhoods. This 32-page book, written in English, explores the past of the land where homes now stand, revealing the significant events that occurred before the construction of modern neighborhoods. Through the perspective of a boy, the narrative unfolds from the present back to the time of the dinosaurs, highlighting the ranchers, log cabins, and Indigenous peoples who once inhabited the area.
Readers will find a rich exploration of historical themes, including the lifestyles of Indigenous communities and the impact of urban development. The book presents a blend of engaging storytelling and educational content, making it suitable for family discussions. By connecting the past to the present, Before I Lived Here emphasizes that history is not just a distant concept but is intertwined with our everyday lives. This debut work by Jensen offers a thoughtful perspective on the significance of place and memory, encouraging readers to reflect on the history that surrounds them.
Official synopsis Publisher
Journey backward in time through all the layers of history that led up to your neighborhood’s existence.
The building you live in has probably been around longer than you, so you may think it’s been there forever. But no matter where you live, a whole lot happened before your home was built.
In Before I Lived Here, a boy peels away each layer of the history of the land his house sits on. Follow along from the construction of the neighborhood back to the planning of it; from the ranchers and log cabins that predated it, back to the region’s Indigenous people and their eviction from the land . . . all the way back to the time of the dinosaurs.
Before I Lived Here reminds us that history isn’t something that happens far away, to other people–it’s in our own backyards. Debut author Stacy S. Jensen makes the learning readily digestible. There’s something here for every reader–from the irresistible depiction of construction sites for vehicle fans, to the somber facts of indigenous displacement recounted without flinching, making for a great family conversation starter on many different levels.
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