Literacy Matters Winter 2022

Going Home, Coming Home Ve Nha, Hham Que Huong Tran, Truong (2012). Children’s Book Press. Illustrator: Phong Ann. ISBN: 117244836 (paperback) This picture book tells the story in both English and Vietnamese of a second-generation Vietnamese girl who learns that her identity consists of her Vietnamese heritage and American

connect to her Chinese heritage. The author’s autobiographical note at the end of the book supports the story’s authenticity.

Watch Me — A Story of Immigration and Inspiration Richards, Doyin. (2021). Macmillan Publishing. Illustrator: Joe Cepeda. ISBN: 978 1250266514 Watch Me is an autobiographical story of a West African immigrant

identity when she visits her immigrant parents’ home in Vietnam for the first time. Her train of thought gives clear insight into her initial confusion. The facial expressions in the brightly-colored illustrations show how the love for her grandmother opens the girl’s heart to embrace her multicultural identity. The illustrations lend themselves well to oral or written retelling activities. Books for Young Adults Indivisible Aleman, Daniel. (2021). Little Brown & Company. ISBN 978-075955-6058 This publication addresses a

from Sierra Leone, a boy with very dark skin who struggled

immensely with English. His hardships as a first-generation immigrant, outgoing nature, perseverance, and ultimate successes provide a convincing example of what makes the U.S. so uniquely strong through its diversity. The author tells his father’s immigration story with bright illustrations in acrylic oil that can easily be used for retelling the story orally or in writing.

Literacy Matters Feature Article

WhenWater Makes Mud — A Story of Refugee Children Reinhart, Janie (2021). BlueWhale Press.

Illustrator: Morgan Taylor. ISBN: 978-1-950169436

traumatizing reality for many ELs and their families: the constant threat of the potential deportation of family members. Teachers in whom ELs confide can attest to the profound impact of these terrifying emotions. Through the eyes of a teenager born in the US

This picture book tells the story of two sisters, a younger and older one, who, at the spur of the moment, must flee war stricken South Sudan and end up in a refugee camp in Uganda.

but whose parents are immigrants, readers experience what it takes to keep the family together when the parents suddenly are captured by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This first-person narrative illustrates the hardships some ELs face, including carrying adult-like responsibilities while going to school and persevering under adverse conditions. Therefore, this book can help others better understand immigrants’ challenges. The language is easily comprehensible with colorful and detailed characterizations that spark oral or written discussions.

Amidst hardship, these children find creative ways to brighten their lives, such as playing with mud and water. This is a story of kindness, bravery, and hope for a better life under most adverse conditions. Illustrations are bright and underscore these children’s positive approaches to life against all odds. Profits of this book go to United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Uganda.

TheWhispering Cloth: A Refugee’s Story

Dietz Shea, Pegi (1995). Boyds Mill Press. Illustrator: Riggio, Anita, stitched by You Yang. Paperback edition: ISBN: 978-1 56397-134-1 (paperback). Kindle edition: ISBN: 978-1-63592-504-3 This classic refugee story, stitched as a story cloth by Hmong immigrant You Yang, tells this

We Are Not from Here. Torres Sanchez, Jenny. (2020). Philomel Books. ISBN: 978- 198481-2285 Inspired by current events, this book describes the journey of three Latin American teenagers, Pulga, Chico, and Pequeña. They each flee horrid conditions in their home countries to stay alive. This book has won several awards, including the Pura Belpré 2021 Young Adult Author Honor Book Award and the School Library

woman’s life experiences as a child in a refugee camp in Thailand in the 1970s. Mai, the main character, watches her grandmother and other women process their life stories amidst war and confinement by making story cloths (pa’ndau) to sell. Mai learns how to stitch her own story. Gentle watercolor illustrations allow for the retelling of this story and invite art teachers to engage ELs and their peers in creating visual representations of their life stories to share. A glossary of specific Hmong words used in the story with pronunciation explanations helps read this book properly.

Journal Best Book Award of 2020 for its honest, heart-wrenching, and poignant depiction of teen refugees’ realities. The story allows readers to make sense of the despair, terror, and survival instinct necessary to cross the Mexican-American border into safety. This book helps understand the traumas that some refugees bring to school and the need for compassionate educators and peers.

Literacy Matters | Volume 22 • Winter 2022 | 29 |

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