A daughter helps her father navigate the English speaking world and writes out signs for him to help with his janitorial job. She gets the idea to helA daughter helps her father navigate the English speaking world and writes out signs for him to help with his janitorial job. She gets the idea to help other adults in the neighborhood. However, the owner of the laundromat doesn't speak Cantonese and she has a hard time understanding his English and a customer gets upset when their clothes shrink. Her Dad is able to translate the Hakka dialect the man speaks and helps his daughter correct the directions.
Rounded up because I love the Cantonese title of the book, which means something like "The Same Heart in Different Languages."...more
Poignant autobiography of being imprisoned in the Japanese internment camps, though he only mentions the discrimination and hardships after being relePoignant autobiography of being imprisoned in the Japanese internment camps, though he only mentions the discrimination and hardships after being released in his Author's Note. I think books like this are needed as discrimination is increasing and America's ideals are being threatened.
I appreciated Takei's introduction and celebration of diversity via Star Trek.
I can't imagine being forced to live in stinky horse stalls full of bugs.
How ironic having imprisoned children forced to say the Pledge of Allegiance "with liberty and justice for all."
Half of those imprisoned in the harshest camp were children.
Takei's maternal grandparents had returned to Hiroshima.
After four years of imprisonment they were released with nothing except $25 and a one way train ticket to anywhere in the US.
Author's Note gives more information and tells of the discrimination and hardships after being released. Takei also tells about testifying in front of the Congressional Commission about the imprisonment of American citizens of Japanese decent....more
More of a 3.5, but I rounded up for being bilingual and the portrayal of the struggle for immigrants to fit in, and the ways children can befriend andMore of a 3.5, but I rounded up for being bilingual and the portrayal of the struggle for immigrants to fit in, and the ways children can befriend and accept them.
A boy is lost in school, wondering if he even belongs there, until another boy translates for him and helps him to adjust. The boy then helps a girl telling her she might not belong yet, but she will.
Jewish immigrants are unable to interest their new neighborhood to try gefilte fish. Until little Shirley is left in cSydney Taylor Picture Book Honor
Jewish immigrants are unable to interest their new neighborhood to try gefilte fish. Until little Shirley is left in charge and tries her own marketing idea.
Always enjoy stories where the child solves the problem....more
Tells the story of a Mexican families trip to America from a child's point of view.
Author's Note explains a part of US history that I had not heard ofTells the story of a Mexican families trip to America from a child's point of view.
Author's Note explains a part of US history that I had not heard of: Mexican Repatriation. After the Mexican American War the US did not live up to their promises in the treaty. With the Great Depression America began mass repatriations with Texas having the largest and forcibly removing non-Mexican and sending them to Mexico. Historians estimate 2 million people were "repatriated" to Mexico between 1930-40. It is estimated that 60% of those repatriated were US citizens. More currently 4 million deportations took place between 2009-14.
A biography of the Jewish immigrant that saved a piece of American history, NYC's Carnegie Hall. Really, enjoyed Isaac Stern's persistence to find a wA biography of the Jewish immigrant that saved a piece of American history, NYC's Carnegie Hall. Really, enjoyed Isaac Stern's persistence to find a way to save Carnegie Hall.
Backmatter states that only 14 of the 15,000 Jews of his hometown in Ukraine survived the Holocaust.
Backmatter also shows the racism of the displacement of 40,000 mostly Black families to build Lincoln Center. ...more
Vietnamese American goes to Vietnam to find a wife for her autistic son. My passes her tests and agrees to go to try for a better future for her daughVietnamese American goes to Vietnam to find a wife for her autistic son. My passes her tests and agrees to go to try for a better future for her daughter, mother and grandmother.
Rounded up because of author's note telling how the immigration experience is based on her mother's experience....more
A sweet story based on an American born child of immigrants childhood. Luli is sent to childcare while her parent(s) attends an ESL class. None of theA sweet story based on an American born child of immigrants childhood. Luli is sent to childcare while her parent(s) attends an ESL class. None of the child share a language, but Luli has come prepared. She makes tea and announces "Cha!" All the children respond with their language's word for tea. After dolling out the tea there is none left for Luli, but Pedro takes her cup and puts a little in and passes it on. Once everyone has a cup with some tea Luli then shares her new English word, "cookie." The playroom is no longer quiet and the children play with each other after.
Cultural preferences and pronunciations of the children's names are given in the back with a simple map....more
A poignant and touching story of the relationship between a grandmother and granddaughter.
Based on the author's childhood experiences as a Hmong refugA poignant and touching story of the relationship between a grandmother and granddaughter.
Based on the author's childhood experiences as a Hmong refugee. Doing without ice cream, meat and new dresses is made bearable by the love and stories of her grandmother. When her parents tell her they can't afford braces for her teeth, her grandma asks her if her smile isn't beautiful with her one tooth, and she realizes that her grandmother's smile was the most beautiful thing....more
Rounded up because I enjoyed that curiosity and art led to the furthering of friendship.
A boy that used to be new says "Hi" to the new girl and noticeRounded up because I enjoyed that curiosity and art led to the furthering of friendship.
A boy that used to be new says "Hi" to the new girl and notices her picking up colorful leaves, wrappers and other trash. When he asks her why, she invites him up to her apartment and shows him a mural of her former home. After spending the afternoon listening to stories of her former home and talking with her, the boy picks up a leaf on his way home.
Best friends in China say goodbye when one immigrates with her family to America. However, her friend's goodbye gift helps her make another friend andBest friends in China say goodbye when one immigrates with her family to America. However, her friend's goodbye gift helps her make another friend and share their Chinese New Year tradition. Based on the author's childhood.
Rounded up because of the Author's Note and her need to write the book due to the upsurge of anti-Asian hate crimes due to COVID. The fear for her parRounded up because of the Author's Note and her need to write the book due to the upsurge of anti-Asian hate crimes due to COVID. The fear for her parents and her love for her half Chinese children and hoping that they will find some place to belong.
An ode to the strength of Chinese immigrants and the hope and love they bear for their children....more
Dat has a hard time adjusting to his new school since he doesn't know the language. However, he is befriended by a girl and eventually starts to make Dat has a hard time adjusting to his new school since he doesn't know the language. However, he is befriended by a girl and eventually starts to make sense of the gibberish....more
Maybe more of a 3.5, because of all the attacks on refugees and immigrants, but others have stories have been stronger for me.
Simple refugee story thaMaybe more of a 3.5, because of all the attacks on refugees and immigrants, but others have stories have been stronger for me.
Simple refugee story that compares refugees to dandelions based on the author's own childhood experience of coming to the US from Cambodia.
Author's Note tells how the dandelion has been cultivated for food and used as an herb since ancient times. The Chinese has used it for medicine for over a thousand years. Some think the dandelion was brought over on the Mayflower for its health benefits. Some people now consider them weeds, while others have realized its usefulness....more
A father and son tradition of crossing the border to visit family and favorite places, do errands and then stop to deliver supplies to friends waitingA father and son tradition of crossing the border to visit family and favorite places, do errands and then stop to deliver supplies to friends waiting for admission to the United States....more