Embedded Files
The Notebook Keeper by Stephen Briseno & Magdalena Mora (2022)
Summary: The story of asylum seekers waiting at the border. Noemi and her mother are looking to get to the United States for safety reasons. When they reach the San Ysidro border in Mexico, they must add their name to the list of people hoping to cross; families wait at this border for weeks, or even months, to be called. This can help kids understand how difficult it can be for immigrants to get here and the complexities of the immigration system.
Controversy Scale: Medium (2/5)
This book is told from the perspective of a child and is tailored to help children better understand who the refugees seeking a better life are: everyday people who are just like us. A lovely depiction of people seeking a better life for themselves, which also showcases the power of empathy. That being said, the topics of immigration and the border are hot topics that can be highly divisive.
Themes: Immigration policy, hope, community support
Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga (2019)
Summary: A Syrian girl adjusts to life in America, written in verse. Jude loves growing up in a small town outside of the city, where tourists and others come to breathe. When the war starts escalating, Jude and her mom have to make the difficult choice to leave her brother and father behind in order to get a better life. While Jude has been practicing English since she was small, everything is faster and more confusing in America. This poetic story showcases the hardships faced by immigrant children as well as introduces readers to more complexities surrounding immigration.
Controversy Scale: Medium (3/5)
Adults should know that there are mentions of violence in the attacks on Syria, like a police raid and a bombing. Her brother is associated with the resistance movement and is sometimes referred to as a terrorist. Our young protagonist also deals with racism in America. Overall, this text is well-crafted to showcase the struggles of immigrating to a new country while also incorporating other themes everyone can relate to, like moving and feeling alone in a new place. Some adults might find the themes too mature for readers, but they can be read as a family to discuss as you read.
Themes: War impact, cultural adaptation, identity
Something Happened to My Dad by Ann Hazzard and Vivianne Aponte Rivera(2022)
Summary: A child coping with a parent being deported and navigating family separation. This picture book tells the story of Carmen, a young girl whose father gets detained because he is an undocumented immigrant. This book shows the consequences that immigration policies can have on families. It also shows how communities can band together to support everyone within, combining immigration and social justice.
Controversy Scale: High (4/5)
A timely read to help children understand what is happening to immigrant families around the world. This book centers around the fact that Papi is an undocumented immigrant. The book follows the aftermath of his detainment and showcases the range of emotions associated with family separation. Immigration and deportation are highly controversial topics, and adults should consider their community before reading.
Themes: Family separation, immigration system, emotional support
To the Other Side by Erika Meza (2023)
Summary: This allegorical picture book tells the story of a young boy and his sister who set off on an adventure in search of safety. They have to travel a long way, avoid scary monsters, and try to reach the finish line to win their game. Their journey is like the real trip many families take when they move from Mexico to the United States. It shows us some of the dangers immigrants face on their journey to a better life, framed from the perspective of kids playing a game.
Controversy Scale: Medium (3/5)
Framed as a game being played by the siblings, it is a highly engaging read that acknowledges the hardships faced by those crossing the border. Immigration and crossing the border are highly controversial topics, and adults should consider their community before reading.
Themes: Immigration, family separation, hope
We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices edited by Wade Hudson & Cheryl Willis Hudson (2018)
Summary: An award-winning collection of prose from over 50 diverse, famous authors and illustrators. The collection features art, poetry, and essays from these authors, focused on providing children with encouraging words and hope in a politically charged time that can be scary. This collection belongs on the shelf of every reader and can be read in any order. Adults can use this collection to start conversations about America and social injustice while highlighting that our voices matter and can lead to change.
Controversy Scale: Low (2/5)
This is a collaboration between 52 authors and illustrators that aims to empower younger readers to rise, resist, and use their voices for good. The themes aim to address the uncertainty of being a young person in a politically unstable time, which can he heavy for readers. This is a great selection to build up hope and start age-appropriate conversations about how we can make change happen.
Themes: Family, hope, resilience
When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed (Young Readers Edition 2020)
Summary: Simplified version of Somali refugee brothers' story. Omar and his brother Hassan have grown up living in an IFO refugee camp in Dadaab. Omar has always looked after his younger non-verbal autistic brother Hassan, but when he gets the opportunity to go to school, he has to leave his brother behind. While Omar loves learning and going to school, he feels guilty and afraid to leave his younger brother. Omar is a fantastic role model for younger readers as a brother and scholar. This is a wonderful resource to help younger readers learn about how people become refugees and what life can be like in other parts of the world, while also building empathy for others.
Controversy Scale: Low (2/5)
Adults should know that this is an overall uplifting and inspiring story of two brothers seeking a better life. It showcases firsthand the struggles of refugees as well as the complexities of the refugee/immigration systems. No graphic violence is shown, but there are implications of violence and war with the soldiers in the background carrying guns.
Themes: Family, hope, resilience
Library, English, and Social Science cross-curricular collaboration. Below are more in-depth lesson plans to help give you ideas on ways you can use these titles with your child or classroom. Use your own discretion and professional judgement!
Library: Continues to expand the topics of Immigration and Social Justice by helping kids learn to distinguish acts from fiction by creating a checklist to check the reliability of online sources.
English: This lesson has students analyze the titles, To The Otherside and The Notebook Keeper, more deeply for meaning. Readers will analyze how imagery and symbolism help the author to develop their main idea.
Social Science: Have students take a stab at becoming historians and utilizing primary and secondary sources to better understand immigration and social justice throughout history.
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