America Is Immigrants

Stories of Americans who emigrated from countries all over the world to live the American dream.

Warning!!!! There is no objectivity in the opinion given below.

As is usual with this topic I have no objectivity. I have been waiting for this book ever since I first heard the lie that immigrants are drug dealers and murderers (Lee, 8 Jul 2015, para. 5). I knew that there had to be information out there of all of the immigrants that had come here who had made an impact that would resonate with people.

Sara Nović and illustrator Alison Kolesar have brought us America Is Immigrants (2019) and it is amazing. It is everything I wanted and more. Nović writes the stories of those who emigrated here from young kids to people in their 70s. Kolesar gives us an image to go with the story. I cannot even think of what story I like best...would we have the television or science fiction stories if not for Hugo Gernsback who came here in 1904.

Did you know that we have a female King living in the United States? I did not know that I think that is amazingly cool. Imagine my surprise when I am reading and I see the next town over listed in the print in relation to Eugenia Fortes. Was I surprised to read about the racism she received? No, I was not sadly enough - not much has changed since she came here in 1920. The strength she had though to change the thinking of the times and Justice Thurgood Marshall at her table (I am in awe and now a HUGE fan).

There are mainstream people who run the gamut from Gene Simmons the lead singer of Kiss, M. Knight Shyamalan the director of the Sixth Sense, race driver Mario Andretti, and even the First Lady Melania Trump.

It may be a small book, but it packs a powerful punch. You can take your time and read one person a day, a couple at a time, or pick and choose. Invite your friends over for dinner and read it aloud to each other and have a great discussion. This is the book to read, share, and talk about. Knowledge is power. Nović and Kolesar just gave us some beautiful history and some excellent rebuttal material.

I received this book for free in a Goodreads Giveaway and give my opinion without prejudice and voluntarily.