From: Killeen, Erlene <Erlene.Killeen>
Date: Tue, 8 May 2007 15:08:48 -0400

I have three favorite immigrant stories:

The first is Grandfather's Journey. This picture book totally speaks to my heart. I have two homes and am constantly pulled between the D.C. area and the Midwest. Just like Grandfather who misses Japan when in the U.S. and misses the U.S. when he is in Japan. I think it is a story that speaks to many people who have lived in more than one place where they have been happy.

The second immigrant story I really enjoyed was Kashmira Seth's Blue Jasmine, the story of a girl from India who immigrates with her family to Iowa City, Iowa. Since I am an Iowan, it was so much fun to see it through the eyes of a newcomer from another culture. This story also points out what happens when someone returns to her home country and doesn't quite fit in the same way. Seth wrote richly about the feelings of being totally new and the longings for "home" but also evoked the delight in discovery of a new place.

Finally, if you have not read Lowji Discovers America by Candace Fleming you have missed a real treat. Lowji is new to northern Illinois and he is refreshing! This book will have you laughing out loud and the richness of the language (the writing) is a wonder to behold. Lowji is a clever and winsome boy. It is great for reading aloud as well as curling up all by yourself to savor how Lowji finds ways to make his way in America.

Anybody agree?

Erlene Bishop Killeen Instructional Systems Specialist Information Center Programs Department of Defense Education Activity 4040 Fairfax Drive Arlington, VA 22203 703-588-3132 erlene.killeen at hq.dodea.edu
"Nothing is ever achieved without enthusiasm." Ralph Waldo Emerson
Received on Tue 08 May 2007 02:08:48 PM CDT