Date of Award
2026-05-01
Degree Name
Master of Fine Arts
Department
Creative Writing
Advisor(s)
Andrea Cote-Botero
Abstract
Katie In-Between is a contemporary young-adult fiction piece that follows the protagonist Katie as she learns about and reclaims her cultural identity. In her process, she learns the importance of embracing her identity, which refutes biases and ideals about who is and who is not part of her community. This story draws on personal experience navigating cultural identity and confronting histories and events that suppress that minority community's expression in American society. Through narration, poetry, and journal entries, readers are exposed to the confrontation of languages and histories to support ideas such as Gloria Anzaldúa's concept of nepantla, which refutes societal ideals about who is an American and who is Mexican. The goal for this story is for young readers to learn and feel empowered to embrace their identity in all its forms as they embark into adulthood, more confident in who they are and how they represent their communities.
Language
en
Provenance
Received from ProQuest
Copyright Date
2026-05
File Size
172 p.
File Format
application/pdf
Rights Holder
Savannah Rae Sarabia
Recommended Citation
Sarabia, Savannah Rae, "Katie In-Between" (2026). Open Access Theses & Dissertations. 4795.
https://scholarworks.utep.edu/open_etd/4795