Immigration is a heavy topic in our society. From a young age, we, as readers, often turn to books to learn more about these weighted topics. Here are seven books that will help your children learn what it means to be an immigrant or refugee in a foreign country.
Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan
Muñoz Ryan tells the story of Esperanza Ortega, a young girl who lives a very wealthy life in Mexico during the 1920s. Her father is a wealthy landowner with a farm that is coveted by many bandits. In a terrible catastrophe, Esperanza’s father is killed and she and her remaining family members are forced to flee to California.
Through an engaging story, Muñoz Ryan details the grueling journey to California as well as the harshness Esperanza faces in the U.S. In addition to the harsh working conditions, Muñoz Ryan also touches upon the topic of deportation, showcasing its unfairness.
Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhhà Lai
Inspired by her own story, Lai writes from the perspective of Hà, a young girl who flees Vietnam before Saigon’s fall in 1975. Ending up in Alabama, Hà struggles to learn the language and adapt to the unfamiliar culture, facing challenges such as bullying and racism.
Through the use of free-form poetry, Lai writes a compelling and touching narrative, detailing Hà’s struggles as an immigrant in an unfamiliar country. Lai’s work is an eye-opening read into what it means to be an immigrant.
In the Spirit of a Dream, Created and Illustrated by Alina Chau et. al & Written by Aida Salazar and Rahele Jomepour Bell
In this picture book, Salazar records the stories of 13 American immigrants of color. In addition to featuring well-known people such as Yo-Yo Ma and David Tran, the book is illustrated by 13 first- and second-generation immigrants.
Through poetry, Salazar captures their inspiring stories, writing about Yo-Yo Ma: “With his music as a source of connection/ he traveled across the globe/ and a new dream emerged/ to not only play music beautifully/ but to live beautifully, too.” Additionally, she highlights the “Undocupoets,” a group of poets made up of current or former undocumented immigrants.
The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
Through this picture book, Choi captures just one of the struggles of being an immigrant student. The main character, Unhei (pronounced Yoon-hye), has just immigrated to the US from Korea and gets bullied for her name on her first day of school. When she is introduced to the class, she uses an American name pulled from a glass jar, but it doesn’t feel right.
In this picture book, Choi explores the concept of identity, concluding with the important message that the best name for Unhei to go by is her own.
One Good Thing About America by Ruth Freeman
Inspired by her work as an ESL teacher, Freeman tells the story of 9-year-old Anaïs, an immigrant girl from Congo who struggles to adapt to American customs and longs for home. She writes all these struggles in letters to her Oma, her grandmother, who challenges her to find “one good thing about America” and record it in each letter. In writing these letters, Anaïs realizes that she is adapting to the new culture more than she thinks.
Told through Anaïs’ letters, Freeman shows that it is hard to adapt to a new culture, especially for children, but that it just takes time.
Lost and Found Cat by Doug Kuntz & Amy Clarice Shrodes
In this picture book, Kuntz and Shrodes tell the story of Kunkush, a beloved family cat who is separated from his family when they are fleeing from Iraq. Discovered by aid workers in Greece, the community comes together and, with the help of the Internet and media, reunites Kunkush with his family.
Based on true events, this remarkable story examines immigration and refugees from a new perspective while emphasizing the power of community and family.
Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga
In a touching narrative, Warga writes from the perspective of Jude, a young, Syrian girl who immigrates to Cincinnati, Ohio. Since all she knows about American life is from the movies, Jude struggles to adapt to the new culture as well as the unfamiliar label of “Middle Eastern.”
Through free-verse poetry, Warga captures Jude’s experience as a young immigrant in a brilliant story about finding oneself and one’s footing.
These powerful stories, detailing the challenges of immigrant or refugee life in the United States, will help your children learn and understand what it means to be an immigrant or refugee.
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More books can be found in our Mini Bookworms Delightful Recommendations shelf at Bookshop.
