27 Books to Help Kids Understand the Immigrant Experience

Parents need to know that Esperanza Rising is an award-winning work of historical fiction that chronicles the life a Mexican migrant farmworker in the 1930s. In the book's beginning, Esperanza's wealthy father is killed by bandits in Mexico; then, a scheming uncle sets fire to her house and family ranch in order to pressure her widowed mother to marry him. Fleeing to California, Esperanza tries to adjust to the cramped, exhausting life of a farmworker. Thanks to a supportive family and network of friends, she keeps hope alive and begins to work for a new future. Readers will learn a number of Spanish words and about the lives of migrant farm workers during the 1930s as characters deal with strikes, discrimination, harsh living conditions, and more.

Parents need to know that Angel Island: Gateway to Gold Mountain constructs a compelling history for young people about San Francisco's immigration station that operated from 1910 to 1940, using photographs, poems, interview excerpts, and more. Readers will especially learn about the prejudice faced by Chinese people, the majority of the immigrants who passed through Angel Island. Author Russell Freedman also provides context, describing the sentiment of the time, including a mob attack in Los Angeles that ended with 17 Chinese people being lynched and two being stabbed to death, and prejudicial laws, including the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which barred all but a select group of Chinese immigrants. This book helps young readers understand why it's important to remember even painful and shameful parts of American history. It also celebrates Alexander Weiss, a former state park ranger who helped preserve the poems carved on the walls by immigrants passing through Angel Island. The book describes harsh conditions at immigration centers, including an early detention center where unsanitary conditions caused the deaths of several people, and the suicide of a man at Angel Island, who'd been told he had to return to China.

Parents need to know that This Is Me: A Story of Who We Are and Where We Came From is the 11th collaboration by best-selling author-illustrator team Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell (Today I Feel Silly). Here, Curtis piggybacks on a popular classroom project: packing a single suitcase with what your ancestors might've brought to America. So the book has a natural curriculum tie-in and dovetails with timely, hot-topic conversations about immigration. Cornell's bright watercolors are always a pleasure, and they depict a diverse class that includes African-Americans, Asians, and Latinos. The message is warmly inclusive -- we all come from somewhere -- and actively involves kids in their own family histories, inviting them to fill up their own suitcases with items that are personally meaningful.

Parents need to know that this riveting first novel is a fictionalized account of the author's husband's escape from Kabul and his adjustment to middle school in Fremont, California. It deals with oppression, fear, difficult choices, guilt, prejudice, and bullying, as well as friendship, hope, and family honor. As historical fiction, it also presents insights into various aspects of Afghan culture and politics, Islam, and the dangers and hardships of being a refugee, including a discussion of the impact of the 9/11 attacks on the immigrant community. Do not be misled by the title: the word "shooting" is not a violent reference.

Parents need to know that Newbery Honor author Margarita Engle's Enchanted Air: Two Cultures, Two Wings is a memoir told in poetry that recalls Engle's life as a Cuban-American girl whose family is devastated by the unraveling of Cuban and American relations in the 1960s. Margarita finds bullets while visiting Cuba after the revolution, and she later learns that one of her relatives has been sent to a forced-labor camp. As the Cuban Missile Crisis intensifies, Margarita and her American classmates prepare for bombings and "poisoned air." Additionally, Margarita hangs out with a wild group of girls and goes to a house where everyone else drinks and smokes. Her older friends brag about using weed, meth, and heroin; get pregnant; and have babies. Eleven-year-old Margarita is kissed by an older boy, which she doesn't like. She learns through traveling -- to her mother's home country of Cuba, and to Mexico and Europe -- that there is both beauty and suffering. She tells readers in an author's note, "Travel teaches compassion." Fast-moving narrative poetry makes Enchanted Air a good choice for reluctant readers, and the author's unique perspective breathes life into a piece of history that may be unknown to many tweens and teens.

Parents need to know that It Ain't So Awful, Falafel is about an immigrant family from Iran that faces both kindness and cruel harassment amid the drama of the Iran hostage crisis that began in 1979. Author Firoozeh Dumas (Funny in Farsi) draws on her experience growing up in California during that time, outlining some of the pivotal moments of the Iranian revolution and the rise of Ayatollah Khomeini and describing how it all affected American politics and culture. She describes some of the violence in Iran, poignantly showing how distressing it was for people living in the United States who were worried about friends and family back in Iran. Not only are the bullies outnumbered by upstanders in this story, but characters who engage in mean or petty behavior are presented with some complexity and insight.

Parents need to know that this story can help kids start learning about World War II, Nazis, and child refugees. Stephie is a relatable character who fights with her sister, worries about her parents (whom she is separated from), and discovers her inner courage. While the war is kept at a distance, there are moments when Stephie remembers her life before she left Germany, including the beating of a couple and the killing of a dog.

Parents need to know that Return to Sender explores illegal immigration in a sympathetic way (immigration laws are not fully described and enforcers are presented negatively), as readers come to know the hearts and minds of both the Vermont family and the Mexican family in the story. The issues and moral dilemmas facing the two main characters, Tyler and Mari, are serious and heavy -- they both worry constantly about breaking the law and getting caught, and are wrought with fear and anxiety. It's mentioned that Mari's mother went missing and was sold into slavery, but Mari eventually rescued her.

Parents need to know that The Red Pencil is a novel in free verse, by Andrea Davis Pinkney, that describes what happened to a 12-year-old girl and her family during the genocide in Darfur, Sudan. Amira's parents warn her about the Janjaweed. Later, the militants attack her village, killing her father and burning her sheep alive, forcing her mother to flee with her and her sister to a refugee camp. Readers will empathize with Amira, but they also will see her inner strength return with the help of her red pencil. The author includes in the back matter definitions of some Arabic words. She also shares her belief in the "power of creativity, and the way art can help us heal." Illustrations by Coretta Scott King Award-winner Shane W. Evans amplify the text.

Parents need to know A Long Walk to Water by Newbery Medal-winning author Linda Sue Park (A Single Shard) blends fact and fiction to tell a story of the civil war in Sudan (1983–2005), in which more than 20,000 so-called Lost Boys became displaced and/or orphaned. There are bombings, burnings, and people with guns and machetes. Protagonist Salva, who's 11 when his story begins in 1995, knows that sometimes boys are forced to fight. Walking from his village to a refugee camp, he suffers greatly from thirst and hunger. His friend's eaten by a lion, he sees people who have died from dehydration in the desert, and he watches his uncle get shot to death. Another man is hit in the head with the butt of a gun. A boy is shot and another is killed by a crocodile after refugees are forced in the water by soldiers -- 1,000 refugees die that day. Readers will learn through the alternating story of Nya, an 11-year-old Sudanese girl in 2008, about people trying to solve problems in that country after the civil war, some with nonprofits that come to build wells in villages, and they learn how fresh water can lead to schools, markets, and more.

Parents need to know that The Fugitive is the fifth installment in John Grisham's Theodore Boone series. This time, characters debate more mature topics, such as the death penalty and undocumented workers. Although there's very little actual violence, this is a murder mystery, so there's mention of a strangulation, and the prime suspect has escaped and is hiding out. Some very sketchy characters threaten Theo, and the involvement of the FBI and criminals may be too frightening for younger children and some tweens. Theo knows the rules but increasingly ignores them when they get in the way. In particular, he lies to his parents and teachers when following a case. Although he usually confesses in the end, he doesn't always, and he also doesn't always get caught or suffer any consequences for his lying. These situations help Theo's character seem more like a real teen and less two-dimensional than in the earlier books.

Parents need to know that The Weight of Water by Sarah Crossan, author of Breathe, is a novel in free verse about a broken family and a young immigrant girl's struggle. After the father abandons his wife and 12-year-old daughter, Kasienka, and flees from Gdansk, Poland, to Coventry, England, Kasienka and her mother track him down there, only to find they find he's built a new life of which they are no longer a part. Somehow Kasienka must cope with her father's indifference, her mother's rage, and being bullied (mainly side remarks and being excluded) at her new school. She finds comfort and a sweet romance with a boy she meets at the pool where she swims, and they kiss.

Parents need to know that Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina, by Michaela DePrince with her mother, Elaine dePrince, is a frank and honest look at Michaela's life as a orphan in Sierra Leone, including the malnutrition, abuses, and atrocities she witnessed and suffered. There are descriptions of death, including the horrific murder of a pregnant teacher and her newborn. There's also discussion of Michaela's life in America, including her adjustment as an international adoptee, the death of her brother from AIDS, and her experience of racism in the dance world. Parents should be prepared to discuss child abuse, war horrors, interracial families, and cultural views of ballet.

Parents need to know that Lenore Look's Ruby Lu series stars an 8-year-old Chinese-American girl and emphasizes overcoming fear of the unknown. For Ruby, this means facing her dad's unexpected long-term unemployment, summer school, swim lessons that terrify her, and disagreements with friends. These aren't easy issues, but the series presents them in the straightforward way kids often approach complex situations. Ruby tries to navigate the cultural tug-of-war between her day-to-day life with a diverse group of friends on 20th Avenue South and the life her grandparents had in China, a task made harder when her deaf cousin, Flying Duck, immigrates right into Ruby's bedroom. A great choice for families looking for books featuring diverse characters.

Parents need to know that the writing and characterization aren't the strong points here; it's all about the adventure.

Parents need to know that Like No Other is a contemporary romance with a definite Romeo and Juliet (or, more appropriately, West Side Story) feel: Two young people from opposite sides of a segregated New York neighborhood fall in love. A story about racially and religiously diverse characters, the book is fine for younger YA readers, even though it does contain a smattering of strong language and the occasional (but not frequent) kiss -- as well as one disturbing beating. Teen (and adult) readers will learn a great deal about Brooklyn's Crown Heights area and its two main communities -- Caribbean immigrants and Hasidic Jews -- and will ponder the truth that, although love sees no color or faith, families and friends certainly do.

Parents need to know that Ambassador, by National Book Award–winning author William Alexander, does not return to the magical steampunk world of Goblin Secrets and Ghoulish Song. Set alternately in present-day Minneapolis and in various points in outer space, it shares many qualities with the earlier volumes: appealing characters, strong family values, and unexpected paradigm shifts, with life lessons and laughs along the way. Many laughs and lessons here have to do with learning to see things from others' viewpoints and the importance of empathy and flexibility in solving problems. It's told from the perspective of 11-year-old Gabe, whose world changes forever when his Mexican parents and older sister, in the United States illegally since before Gabe was born, are discovered and threatened with deportation. The story gives the issue of unauthorized immigration and its ramifications a heartfelt, one-sided perspective. Besides triggering discussions of immigration-related issues, this might launch some interesting conversations about how controversial issues are driven by different perspectives.

Parents need to know that Maxine Hong Kingston's The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts is considered a work of creative nonfiction, as it blends memoir with folk tales and second-hand history. The author focuses on memories of her own family life in Stockton, CA, and the folk legends and family histories her mother told about life in China. Since its 1975 release, the book has been somewhat controversial for its portrayal of Chinese-Americans as sexist and superstitious. However, it remains a provocative point of departure, especially in high school history and literature classes, to explore themes from racial stereotypes, sexism, and the assimilation of Chinese people into American culture, to what constitutes a memoir. There are a few brief sexual references and instances of moderate alcohol consumption, as well as several graphic descriptions of violence against animals and people. Woman Warrior received a National Book Critics Circle Award for general nonfiction in 1976.

Parents need to know that The Maldonao Miracle by Theodore Taylor (The Cay), is a coming-of-age story about a boy separated from his father -- and having to make complicated moral decisions as he migrates from Mexico to the United States. Readers will appreciate the author's take on the difficult situation faced by immigrants, and the tough decisions families have to make. José may be a bit two-dimensional, but he is a likable and noble hero. Some of the content, especially the potential child molester, may be a bit intense for young tweens, making this novel best for kids 12 and up.

Parents need to know that The Joy Luck Club weaves the stories of four Chinese immigrant mothers and their four daughters into a richly satisfying novel. The mothers' experiences in China inform how they bring up their daughters in America, and the girls must figure out how to navigate their own lives, drawing on what they have gleaned from their Old World mothers and their American childhoods. Mothers and daughters of all cultures will appreciate the miscommunication, heartache, and unconditional love that flow through the novel. (It's been translated into 35 languages.) You may want to check out the 1993 film version.

Parents need to know that A Crack in the Sea by H. M. Bouwman is a surprising mix of historical fiction and fantasy that braids strands from a slave ship, a Vietnamese refugee boat, and a "second world" that opens up via a portal in the ocean. There's grim violence on the slave ship, including a slave who's attacked by sharks when he's lowered into the ocean as punishment, and the chilling murder of slaves thrown overboard for profit. Though there's no sex, there's the threat of rape -- on the slave boat and later, when pirates plunder the refugee boat. But because the second world is a place where people care for one another and try to get along, the book carries messages of tolerance and peace. This book will captivate readers who like their fantasy spiced with real-life drama.

Parents need to know that Something in Between is a teen romance by veteran author Melissa de la Cruz. Sexy stuff is fairly light, with some passionate kissing briefly described and mention of making out. There are a lot of positive role models for academic and athletic achievement, pushing yourself, and working hard. The story encourages empathy for undocumented immigrants, and teens will learn a lot about what people go through in pursuit of the American dream. They'll also gain a lot of insight into Filipino culture.

Parents need to know that The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon (Everything, Everything) won a 2017 Michael J. Printz Honor and was a 2016 National Book Award finalist for Young People's Literature. The romantic coming-of-age story follows two high school seniors -- Jamaican-American Natasha and Korean-American Daniel -- from the day they meet on a crowded New York City street and shows how they go on to change each other's lives. There is occasional strong language ("s--t," "f--k," "a--hole") and some passionate (in one case horizontal) making out. The book contains many educational and historical lessons about everything from immigration law to time-travel paradoxes to the reasons so many African-American hair-supply stores are owned by Koreans. The story is also one of the few interracial young-adult romances to feature two people of color, showing that love can and does bloom across differences.

Parents need to know that The Arrival is a wordless graphic novel that tells the story of an immigrant who leaves his troubled country to make a life in a new country. The realistic, sepia-toned illustrations are beautiful and expressive, yet the story can be a little hard to follow, making it best for middle elementary school kids and older.

Parents need to know that this book is written in a series of short free-verse poems, which are easy to read, fast-paced, descriptive, and poignant. Though it is never preachy or instructional, the short verse poems give much information about life in Vietnam, including the foods, clothing, traditions, the encroaching war, some politics, family structure, and more. Readers will also learn about life as an immigrant as Ha struggles with a new language, eats new foods, meets new kids, deals with attitudes toward Vietnamese immigrants -- and tries to blend Vietnamese customs with new American ones. While the main character is a 10-year-old girl, this story is suitable for boys and readers in a wide age range. Parents should know that this story is filled with beauty and hope even though its backdrop is the Vietnam War.

Parents need to know that The Girl in the Torch is the story of 12-year-old Sarah, a Jewish immigrant escaping the pogroms of Russia, who is orphaned upon her arrival in New York City. About to be sent back to a misogynist uncle in Russia, Sarah makes a daring escape and lives briefly in the crown of the Statue of Liberty -- the emblem of the hope and freedom she desperately seeks. While danger abounds, Sarah works hard and relies on her good instincts and a diverse group of newfound friends who risk their own welfare to help her. This novel vividly depicts the immigrant experience and the complexities of early 1900s America, which promised freedom yet was mired in poverty and racism. The endpapers give more information about U.S. immigration history. A fine choice for fans of historical fiction and families looking for books with diverse characters.

Parents need to know that Mamá the Alien is a cute, bilingual picture book that introduces issues related to immigration, documentation, and citizenship in a warm, lighthearted way for kids. It starts with young Sophia finding her mother's resident alien card and jumping to the conclusion that Mamá is from outer space, and it ends with Mamá celebrating after her U.S. citizenship ceremony. This kid-friendly introduction to these concepts has vibrant, playful, engaging art and should help immigrant and non-immigrant families alike understand a bit more about the path to citizenship.