Blue Jasmine

Blue Jasmine

by Kashmira Sheth (2004)

            Seema feels she is being pressured to stay with her kaka and kaki in India despite the fact that her parents are moving to Iowa City for her father's new job. But when she decides to move to America she realizes it is not the pressure from her cousin and grandparents that make her feel like she is far from home. Seema faces challenges as she tries to learn a new language, make new friends, and deal with a bully in school -- but on top of all of this she misses her homeland greatly. But with the help of a neighbor she discovers a flower that smells like India's jasmine, but is a stunning blue color that she has never seen before. It is a flower that represents the two different places that she loves, and the people from each place who keep her happy. Sheth's symbolism throughout the book is striking, and tone of the book is consistently positive. Although issues with bullies and their resolutions seem somewhat contrived, the realizations that Seema makes through an impoverished friend back in India make the text seem deft and convincing.
            This book is much less dark than some other novels about immigration I have read -- and for this reason might be an excellent introduction for younger students in third or fourth grade that want to learn about the struggles an immigrant girl might face in the United States. This book, however, portrays dilemmas that children of all backgrounds face, so I believe that many students will relate to the main character despite their differences. Although resolved a little too perfectly, this book addresses bullying and allows readers to consider the issues from two perspectives, so this could be discussed in class. This book perfectly addresses being an outsider in a new place, as well as dealing with the differences faced for a four-year-old coming to the States and a 12-year-old doing the same. For these reasons I have chosen to include it in my text set about modern immigrant families.

In the Small, Small Night

In the Small, Small Night

by Jane Kurtz (2005)

            The dialogue between siblings in this text carries this story, although embedded within the story are Ghanaian folk tales that remind the children of the home they left behind so they do not forget it. The illustrations by Rachel Isadora nicely juxtapose the dark, starry night where the children are confronting their fears and the vivacious colors of Africa where their stories take place. Not only do their stories comfort Abena and Kofi because they remind them of home, but also because the stories empower the underdogs to confront their fears and continue onward. The dual stories meld nicely together.
            This would be an excellent read-aloud for children of any age because of the natural feel of the dialogue and the embedded stories. It could be used to share storytelling traditions from other countries, or it could be used to show how immigrants bring their home to America through their traditions. For this reason I included the text in a text set on modern immigrant families.

The Color of Home

The Color of Home
by Mary Hoffman (2002)

            Karin Littlewood's vibrant watercolor illustrations work phenomenally with the text, and even the title of the book itself. I do wish, however, that some subdued tones were used at the beginning of the book since young Somalian refugee Hassan thinks that America is washed in shades of gray. The structure of the story follows Hassan's losses, memories, fears, and final release as he realizes that telling his story lifts some of the weight from his shoulders. After 'spoiling' a painting of his native home by adding blood, fire, and bullets Hassan repaints his home in a way that can bring the important parts of Somalia home to his wall in America. It is a very melancholy story following tragic real-world events, but the tone of the book -- bolstered by the beautiful illustrations -- becomes a positive story of remembering and redefining home.
            This book would be a beautiful text to share about loss of family members and loss of home. I believe this shows some ways that art and storytelling can become part of the healing process, especially for children. In a class I might also use this stories to share about the realities of war and its lingering terrors, or to share about struggles that displaced people face in their new homes. It is for this reason that I included this book in a text set about modern immigrant families.

A Place To Grow

A Place To Grow
by Soyung Pak (2002)

            This book is written entirely using the imagery of seeds and gardening, but the language weaves in and out of literal and figurative representations. The extended metaphor is tenuous in parts, but the word choice is careful and the overall feel quite dramatic. The story follows a young girl and her father as they plant a garden together in their home in America, but there are also flashbacks as the father tells her daughter of his journey from South Korea. The seed and land imagery are literal as the family plants seeds, as the bright outdoor colors in the illustrations fit nicely with these cheerful moments. The same words become metaphorical as the father tells of his journey "flying with the wind" to the United States, where the illustrations by Marcelino Truong become subdued and darker. I like the play between the images and the words in this text, and I feel older students would also appreciate it.
            In the classroom this book could be used to show how extended metaphor is used throughout a text. Parts of the metaphor may be lost on the younger children that this book is intended for, but the overall message about keeping home in your heart no matter how far you fly from home is a universal one. I also feel that introducing the book by showing the inner flap (which reads "A family is like a seed. It needs a good, safe place to grow. Sometimes that place is just a hop away. Sometimes it's a long, hard journey. This book is a tribute to all parents who took that journey in order for their families to blossom") may help younger children think about the metaphors before reading the book in full. This book could also be used to discuss different types of immigrants in the United States -- as I did in a text set about modern immigrant families.

Something About America

Something About America
by Maria Testa (2005)

            Maria Testa's poetry in this book, which reads much like prose with a defined sense of rhythm, explores so many different issues:  finding home in a foreign land, what it means to be American, the relationships between parents and children, the realities of war, and so many others. The simple language choice nicely reflects how the 14-year-old narrator might write to herself, but the way the stanzas are composed and the way the words combine make her voice come alive. The girl writing the poems feels she is fully American, yet the scars that cover her body up to her chin make it hard for her parents to forget their home in Yugoslavia, especially after 9/11 when neighboring communities want to run immigrants out. But the girl wants her parents to make themselves welcome, and her new motto is "If you can't find the welcome mat when you arrive, put one out yourself."
            This book covers the complex relationship between parents and children, especially in immigrant families where being American sometimes seems like leaving the past behind and forgetting where you came from. A similar contradiction -- trying to live a life that is not too American and not too foreign -- is also found in An Na's A Step From Heaven. I have chosen to include both texts in my text set about modern immigrant families. Something About America is also short enough that it would make a good read aloud, with either the instructor doing the reading or students practicing reading free verse poetry.

Home of the Brave

Home of the Brave

by Katherine Applegate (2007)

            I had never read a novel of this length composed entirely in free verse poetry, but Applegate's word choice combines the style of a child in a new place with poignant and lush imagery. This is the story of Kek, a Sudanese refugee with no father and brother and a missing mother, who has just moved to the United States to live with an aunt and cousin who are also scarred from the war they left behind. Kek faces new struggles in America, but he finds friends in unexpected places, even a cow who begins to represent much of what he left behind. The stanzas powerfully convey the confusion Kek feels in huge grocery stores, laundromats, and school, but also the longing he feels for a home that no longer exists for him. "This is a light switch. / He pushes a tiny stick on the wall / and the room turns to night / then blinks awake. / In my old home / my real home / the sun gave us light / and the stars / watched us sleep." But it is partly this beautiful conception of his home in Africa that allows Kek to keep hoping his mother will return and allows him to begin building a new home for himself.

            This would be an excellent example of free verse poetry and word choice. Many of the stanzas have unusual but effective adjectives and metaphors: "I have my father's will / my brother's eyes / and my mother's light. / She is like the newborn sun / fresh with promise / the just-beginning moments / before the day / fills like a bucket / with good and bad / sweat and longing." Kek's voice changes throughout the book, as well, as he learns English words for items that have no counterpart in his homeland, and as he gains confidence in his ability to define home. This book would also be an excellent addition to a unit on the struggles facing immigrants in the United States -- for this reason I have included it in my modern immigrant families text set.

Creativity

Creativity

by John Steptoe (1997)

            This is a book about immigration narrated from the perspective of a somewhat naive African American elementary student. It's written almost entirely in slang -- the narrator Charles' creative use of language -- and starts in an almost contrived fashion: "I was sittin' in class one day when this new dude walks in." I slowly got used to the narration, though, and even enjoyed some of Charles' interpretations of events ("I didn't want to hurt Hector's feelings, so I didn't say nothin' about them float-boats he was carryin' around on his feet"). The realistic, vibrant watercolor paintings by E.B. Lewis are expressive and make the characters come alive in a way which the somewhat stilted text does not always succeed. The overall message covers bullying and fitting in in a surprising way, however, and I believe students would take away these important points from the text. Some students and parents may not approve of a book written in non-standard English, but I believe this could be used to my advantage in the classroom.
            This book would be a great starting point for a discussion about perspective because what we know about Hector, the Puerto Rican immigrant, is entirely filtered through Charles' explanations. The style of the book is changed drastically because it is narrated by Charles -- which also relates to the language that he chooses to portray events. The first person narrative allows for this type of slang, which is also included in books through dialogue. The class could discuss whether it would be appropriate to use this style in a book narrated from the omniscient perspective, and what might change about the book if it were. This book could also be used to discuss struggles faced by immigrants in the United States -- as I did in a text set about modern immigrant families.

One Green Apple

One Green Apple

by Eve Bunting (2006)

2006 Arab American Book Award Winner

            Fantastically illustrated by Ted Lewin, this book follows a newly arrived Arab immigrant girl, Farah, as she goes on a field trip to an apple orchard with her class. She cannot find the words to express herself to her teacher or classmates, but she is also worried about opening up to them. As the students pick apples Farah finds a small tree with green apples that does not seem to belong, but when she adds it to the class apple cider she feels she can taste her addition -- a clear metaphor for her feelings about belonging, but trying to find a place in her new world. The story is told through Farah's perspective in short but compelling sentences as she tries to understand the world around her and understand herself. I believe anyone could relate to the Farah's feeling of loneliness in a group of people who she has yet to understand -- and children of all backgrounds, especially, would empathize with the struggle to fit in with peers.
            This book would be a great introduction for younger students to some of the struggles that immigrants face when they come to school for the first time. Since many immigrant children are bullied in their classes, it is important for other children to see through to a character's inner thoughts on the subject and understand the barriers they are facing on top of all of the other stresses in school. For this reason I have included it in a text set about modern immigrant families.

Apple Pie 4th of July

Apple Pie 4th of July
by Janet Wong (2002)

           This book, told in simple words from the perspective of a first-generation Chinese-American, makes the reader pause and think about what being American really means, without being heavy-handed in its message. The combination of chow mein and apple pie, even for the Chinese family running the restaurant, beautifully represents an amalgamation of cultures and traditions that make up America. The idea of working three hundred sixty-four days a year (and three hundred sixty-five in a leap year) also represents the long-held conception of America as a land of entrepreneurship - and opportunities. The prints by Margaret Chodos-Irvine are very striking and the representations of our glum narrator tell the story as much, if not more, than the words do.
           This book, like many I have read, would fit nicely into an ESL classroom. This book not only tells the story of an immigrant family in the United States, but it also shows how two cultures can be intertwined, and two generations can come together in celebration -- even if their methods or timing are a bit disparate. For this reason I feel first generation Americans with foreign-born parents would relate to the story. I also feel that new immigrants would be interested in the story for this intertwining nature of culture, and the celebration of the 4th of July in itself. In the regular classroom this book could be used to discuss different types of families in America, as well as classic and contemporary symbols of the U.S.A.

Going Home

Going Home
by Eve Bunting (1996)

         This book delves into the difficulties for migrant workers in terms of leaving their native countries and finding new lives. For Carlos, he cannot understand why Mexico is home for his parents when it does not feel like home for him. His visit makes him understand, but then he becomes a character torn between the two places he considers home. This book represents a reality for a lot of families in the United States, but even people who have not recently immigrated could relate to the concept of not knowing where home truly is. The integration of Spanish words and stunning colorful illustrations make the book beautifully representative of Mexico, though. David Diaz combines his illustrations with background photographs of Mexican ceramics, papier mache, and tapestries. The book becomes a cultural experience because of all of these elements.
         I would use this book in an ESL classroom as a read aloud for students (because the book is fairly text heavy I think most English Language Learners would have difficulty reading it individually). I believe the concept of home will be a familiar one and students from all linguistic and cultural backgrounds will appreciate the story. I also believe that this text would be useful for ELLs from a number of language proficiency levels because the illustrations reinforce the text and beautifully establish the setting. In the regular classroom this book could be an introduction to concepts of immigration, migrant workers, or social justice -- reading the text would encourage all students to consider what life is like in the United States for people not born here. The text could also be used for younger children in units about family -- this book could help show the variety of families that live in the U.S. or abroad.

A lesson plan that includes a discussion of this text and Grandfather's Journey by Allen Say can be found here.

A Step From Heaven

A Step From Heaven
by An Na (2001)

2002 ALA Printz Award Winner

          A Step From Heaven is a text that covers amazing ground for a young adult book. The story is rich, complex, and dramatic without being insincere. An Na weaves in metaphors of God and flight and floating that all point towards feelings of faith and hope in a new land. Although the United States does not turn out to be the heaven Young Ju expected, the young narrator still uses these feelings and images as allegories of hope. The author seamlessly changes voice from a four-year-old's narration to an adult's, and shows personal growth as hope despite the fact that Young Ju's life is often stagnate because of her home life. This book was a powerful read that pulled together memories of the past and hopes for a better future.
         This book covers domestic violence and might therefore be controversial or inappropriate in certain classrooms. I do believe, however, that students should read and discuss a book that offers a perspective which not only covers abuse in families, but also the difficulties of being an immigrant. Young Ju is simultaneously encouraged to be an American girl but stifled at every turn because this image contradicts the image of a good Korean girl. The text also raises questions about the different ways that girls and boys are viewed in different cultures. There are so many discussions that need to be had that can be encouraged through this text. Christy Yingling discusses ways to approach these topics in the classroom here.

The Storyteller's Candle

The Storyteller's Candle
La velita de los cuentos
by Lucía González (2008)

2008 Pura Belpé Honor Medal recipient

          The Storyteller's Candle by Lucía González is a beautifully illustrated picture book representing what it means to be an immigrant trying to find connections to a new land. The bilingual text offers the tale fluidly in Spanish and English, though even the English version intersperses Spanish words and flavor. The text covers historic events from the perspective of a child. As Hildamar and Santiago discover the magic of the public library Lulu Delacre's illustrations grow more vibrant in hue. The collages on each page make use of a New York Times paper from January 6, 1930 - the actual date of the first Three King's Day celebration at the New York Public Library.The detail this brings in and the added interest is a beautiful touch.
          Since the text is bilingual this book would be great to use in classes with both English and Spanish speaking students. Students could work cooperatively in groups and be able to understand the text regardless of their English proficiency level. For higher-level Spanish-speaking English Language Learners (in ESL) the lower portion of the page with the Spanish text could be covered to encourage the students to work on reading in English. The Spanish text could be read after the English portion to see if the student gathered all important points or understood the dialogue. The opposite could be done for English speakers trying to learn Spanish - or to prove a point to a classroom about the difficulty of working on a classroom project when it is not in their native language!
          The text could also be used in social studies lessons exploring holidays, Hispanic historic figures, or the 1930s.

Grandfather's Journey

Grandfather's Journey

by Allen Say (1993)

1994 Caldecott Medal Winner, ALA Notable Book, Bulletin Blue Ribbon

"The funny thing is, the moment I am in one country, I am homesick for the other."

          Grandfather's Journey by Allen Say shows what draws people to different places, and how someone can love both their homeland and an adopted country simultaneously. The love for both, though, causes an ache that is always there -- and the quality of some of the language and the somber faces of the characters in the book represent this ache. However, this book also represents the joy of place, and Say's photo-realistic watercolor paintings of Japan and the United States are breathtaking. The events in the story and the characters themselves almost are the background for the beauty of places and the feelings that come with them.
          Since I believe Grandfather's Journey focuses so heavily on place I feel like this book is a great starting point for discussions on Japan, America, or immigration. The text is also conducive to verbal or written activities that encourage students to consider what aspects of their city or state still amaze them, and what they would miss if they went somewhere new. Since the book is almost exclusively composed of large watercolor paintings, students could also consider "reading" the book without the text. Is the story the same or different without the text? Are the feelings of place, love, and longing still represented in the art? Do pictures of certain places bring to mind more feelings than can be expressed in words?