MOVED OUR HEARTS

A day with All-School Read author Dan-el Padilla Peralta

Berkshire welcomed Princeton professor Dan-el Padilla Peralta, author of “Undocumented: A Dominican Boy’s Odyssey from a Homeless Shelter to the Ivy League,” for this year’s All-School Read event. Dr. Padilla Peralta had lunch with student members of the Latin American Student Association (LASA) and shared remarks with the full community at an evening assembly.

Afterward, a panel of students moderated a Q&A with questions submitted by their peers about the book and Dr. Padilla Peralta’s experiences coming of age as an immigrant in New York City. His story powerfully underscores Berkshire’s core value of inclusion.

Dr. John Hyland, All-School Read committee chair, said, “‘Undocumented’ shares the personal story about family ties, the power and importance of belonging, and the promises proffered in the hallowed halls of elite education. This compelling story about confronting America’s culture of xenophobia captured our imaginations as a community, enlightened our minds, and moved our hearts.”

For more information on summer reading, visit berkshireschool.org/summer-reading-2023.