Immigrant Heritage Month

The United States has long prided itself on being a "nation of immigrants." As early as the 1770s, our country was home not simply to English colonists, but to Germans, Scots, Irish, French, Dutch, and Swedes. In 1782 French immigrant Jean de Crevecoeur published his Letters from an American Farmer with the provocative essay "Who then is the American?" He wrote "I could point out to you a man whose grandfather was an Englishman, whose wife was Dutch, whose son married a French woman, and whose present four sons have now four wives of different nations." In 2023, he could add representatives from every part of Asia, many parts of Africa, and most of central and South America. What all shared was a common commitment to bettering their lives and working to ensure their children's future in a land of liberty. They worked alongside others who were different to achieve that. The great seal of the United States (adopted in 1782) captures that ideal with its proclamation, "E Pluribus Unum" or out of many, one.

With each of wave of immigration -- Irish, German, Italian, Polish, Greek, Eastern European Jew through to Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, Central American, Lebanese, Vietnamese, Ethiopian, and Afghan-- newcomers have added richness of the American experience and faced resistance and prejudice. But the United States remains one of the few nations in the world where citizens of many national backgrounds live and flourish not solely on their cultural or social background. Our statehouses, our businesses, our restaurants, and newspapers all reflect our cultural diversity.

The nation's diversity is enriched by Native Americans and those of enslaved African descent as well, but the term "immigrant" applies to one who comes to a nation by virtue of his/her own choice. Here we celebrate their stories, which are those of sacrifice, enterprise, challenge and triumph.

New and Noteworthy

Watch Me: A Story of Immigration and Inspiration. Doyin Richards. Illustrated by Joe Cepeda. Feiwel & Friends, 2021. Perseverance, Hope, Lives to Learn From (K-3)
Based on the true story of Dr. Joe Richards, an immigrant from Sierra Leone, who as a child left behind refugee camps in his war-torn land to come to a country where he was not always welcomed with open arms. His skin was dark and at times he confronted racism, intolerance, and bullying. But that wasn't the whole story, and he didn't let it define him. Joe wanted to be a doctor and made "Watch me; I will succeed, I will do great things," his creed. He realized his dreams, and his son says that his life was one of "choosing hope over fear, confidence over self-doubt and kindness over indifference." Dr. Joe's empathy and hope will inspire little children (and their teachers/parents).

A Very Important Day. Maggie Rugg Herold. Illustrated by Catherine Stock. Harper Collins, 1995. (K-2) Love of Country, Immigrant Heritage Month
This lively picture book is fine reinforcement for second graders in Core Knowledge programs, who learn about America's immigrant heritage and how one becomes a U.S. citizen. The bright, multi-faceted story brings to life the day when 219 people from many different nations (the Philippines, Ghana, India, El Salvador, and Scotland and more) gather in a Manhattan courthouse to pledge their allegiance to their new country. They must overcome a blinding snowstorm to get there (good symbolism), but the dazzling sun on the snow at ceremony's end speaks to their new hopes. The book can be faulted for not developing a strong plot, but if students have studied the US as a "nation of immigrants," and know something about the process of naturalization, it will sing to them.

Just Being Audrey. Margaret Cardillo. Illustrated by Julia Denos. Balzer + Bray, 2011. (K-3) Charity, Graciousness, Immigrant Heritage Month.
This story kicks off with a quote from Audrey Hepburn: "I never think about myself as an icon . . . I just do my thing." A delightful tale unfolds of Audrey "doing her thing," from her early aspirations to be a ballerina to her painful childhood experience of World War II, to her emigration to America and career as a gracious and hardworking actress, who parlayed her success into work for UNICEF. The final episode the book is her speech to UNICEF in 1989. Strikingly accurate and winsome illustrations of Audrey dance through the pages.

Emma’s Poem: The Voice of the Statue of Liberty. Linda Glaser.
Illustrated by Claire A. Nivola. HMH Books, 2010. (K-4)Love of Country
Born into privilege in New York City, Emma Lazarus wanted for nothing in her youth, but she had a big heart. When she visited Ward’s Island in New York City in the 1880s (an immigrant detention and treatment center), she was touched by the plight of impoverished immigrants coming to American shores. She helped them learn English and find jobs, but eventually she answered the call to write a poem to raise money for the pedestal on which to place the Statue of Liberty. Emma Lazarus defied the common wisdom that women shouldn’t write and that the destitute immigrants were a threat to the nation. Her poem “The New Colossus,” with its call to “send me your poor, your tired, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free” became the voice of the Statue of Liberty, emblazoned at its base. The words have stirred American hearts and imaginations ever since.

Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpre. Amika Aldamuy Denise. Illustrations by Paola Escobar. Harper Collins, 2019. Service, Wisdom, Lives to Learn From (1-3)
A touching and inspirational biography. Pura Belpre loved listening to her grandmothers’ stories in Puerto Rico. When her family moved to the US in 1921, she worked in the garment industry, but shortly thereafter found a job at the NYC public library as a bilingual assistant. (This was the 1920s - bravo to NYC!) She was dismayed to find not one book of the folktales she loved on the shelves. But Belpre was a gifted story-teller herself and she spun her abuela’s tales at Story Hour. She even created puppets to make the stories come alive, and drew quite an audience. Then she found a publisher to print the Puerto Rican folktales and thus planted the seeds of stories for many generations to come. Very lively, colorful illustrations. Spanish words and phrases are interwoven (teachers should pre-read so as to be able to translate), but are generally understandable from context.

Write On, Irving Berlin! * Leslie Kimmelman.
Illustrated by David C. Gardner. Sleeping Bear Press, 2018. (K-3)
Lives to Learn From, Hope, Love of Country
The inspirational story of the self-taught musical genius, who became America’s most iconic songwriter. Fleeing persecution in Russia in 1893, five-year-old Israel Baline emigrated to the United States with his family of eight. The Balines lived in a small New York City apartment, lacking money and sometimes food, but they had their freedom and their wits. And little Izzy always seemed to have a song in his heart. He began singing in saloons, writing songs, and signing himself Irving Berlin at age thirteen—and the rest is history. (He sold his first song for 37 cents.) Write On is a whimsically illustrated picture book that captures Berlin’s drive, optimism, passion for music (he wrote songs on his shirt sleeves, in elevators, in the bathtub), and his unabashed love of country (which he served overseas in World War I). “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” “God Bless America,” “Always,” and “White Christmas” are just a few of his hits for stage, screen, and troops overseas. *Available on Epic!

A Day's Work. Eve Bunting. Illustrated by Ronald Himler. Clarion, 1997. (K-3) Honesty, Perseverance, Compassion
Francisco's grandfather is newly arrived in America, doesn't speak English, but is looking for work. Francisco tries to help him get a job by lying about his abuelo being a gardener; the older man is hired as such. The employer is not happy with the results, when child and grandfather uproot the plants instead of the weeds. The grandfather comes to understand what has happened and tells his grandson: "we do not lie for work." They will return the next day to make right their task as "the price of a lie." And they truly do. (Grandfather is a carpenter who leaves things much restored.) A wonderful inter-generational tale of an immigrant child trying to help, but needing to learn some lessons of his own. Told with sensitivity and dignity.

Anna and Solomon. Elaine Snyder. Illustrated by Harry Bliss. Margaret Ferguson Books, 2014 (K-3) Perseverance, Loyalty, Courage
In 1897 Solomon falls in love and marries Anna In czarist Russia, He is a talented painter and she is quick with numbers, but persecution of Jews (a pogrom in their village) persuades the newlyweds to seek their fortune in America. They have the money for only one ticket, however. Solomon goes to the US first, works industriously and saves until he can send Anna a ticket to join him. But to Solomon's surprise, Anna sends her brother in her place. The next ticket sent to Anna brings another brother, then her mother! Will Solomon ever see his wife? This heart-warming and heart-wrenching immigrant story is based on a true story of the author’s grandparents. Beautiful portrayal of family loyalty as Solomon keeps the faith and assists his in-laws in their new life. A video version in available on Epic!

Lailah's Lunchbox: A Ramadan Story.* Reem Faruqi.
Illustrated by Lea Lyon. Tilbury House, 2015. (1-5) Courage, Respect, Faith
Lailah's family has moved from Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) to Atlanta, and the ten-year-old girl won't be bringing her lunchbox to school during the feast of Ramadan, when devout Muslims fast. Lailah is excited to fast because it means she's growing up, but anxious about how to explain the custom to her teachers and classmates, who assume she's just forgotten her lunch. What will they think of her? After agonizing in silence in the cafeteria, she slips off to the library, where she confides in the school librarian, and they formulate a plan. Lailah writes a very well received poem of explanation to her teacher and friends. A little girl has the courage of her convictions, and her classmates come to understand and respect a different tradition. The lesson has potential applicability for all children agonizing over customs that make them or their families different. Beautiful watercolor illustrations. The content makes this a 1-5 option. *Available on Epic!

The Man Who Loved Libraries. The Story of Andrew Carnegie.* Andrew Lawson. Illustrated by Katty Maurey (K-3)
A simple introduction to the life of steel titan Andrew Carnegie, who began life in the as a poor immigrant, and became one of America’s wealthiest men. He believed that “he who dies rich, dies disgraced.” Emphasizes his life-long love of libraries as repositories of learning and his desire to make their riches accessible to those in need.
*Available on Epic!

Harvesting Hope. The Story of Cesar Chavez. Kathleen Krull.
Illustrated by Yuyi Morales Harcourt, 2003 (1-3) Responsibility, Courage, Lives to Learn From
Cesar Chavez grew up on his family’s ranch in Arizona. In 1937, at the depths of the Depression, a devastating drought took the farm into foreclosure, and the family moved to California to work on other people’s farms. Migrant families worked hard, but at this time of Depression, they were underpaid and unwelcome in the towns and schools. Cesar left school after eighth grade to work in the fields, so his mother wouldn't have to. He listened to those who called for reforms, and himself began to speak out for fair hiring and higher wages for farm workers. Cesar espoused non-violence in the quest for justice, leading a march from Delano to Sacramento with thousands of farm workers for fair wages. This lead to the formation of the United Farm Workers Union. It was a great victory and the beginning of reform for the industry. Vibrant, mural-like illustrations.

Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreno Played the Piano for President Lincoln. Margarita Engle. Illustrated by Rafael Lopez Antheneum Books, 2019 (2-4) Perseverance, Courage, Beauty, Lives to Learn From
True story of nineteenth century pianist Teresa Carreno, who began to play the piano as a very little girl in Venezuela. “Sometimes she had to struggle to make the stubborn music behave, as she practiced gentle songs that sounded like colorful birds singing in the dark and light branches of a shade-dappled tree.” At age six, Teresa was writing her own music, and at seven played for audiences. But war came to Venezuela and when she turned eight, her family fled to New York. Even though at that time the Civil War was raging at the time, Teresa found a group of musicians who encouraged her talents, and urged her to keep finding beauty in music. She was invited to the White House to play for President Lincoln. Her “dancing hands” played music gave solace to a President burdened by war and grief. Lilting text and gorgeous illustrations make this book sing. (This book works well with the Second Grade CK unit on immigration and/or the Civil War.)

The Lotus Seed. Sherry Garland.
Illustrated by Tatsuro Kiuchi. HMH Books, 1997. (2)
A Vietnamese woman leaves her homeland for a new life in America. She remains connected to her home only by the lotus seed she takes with her.

Saving Lady Liberty: Joseph Pulitzer’s Fight for the Statue of Liberty. Claudia Friddel. Illustrated by Stacy Innerst. Caulkins Creek, 2020. (2-6) Love of Country, Perseverance.
Hungarian Jewish immigrant Joseph Pulitzer was a rags-to-riches American success story. He made his name in journalism in St. Louis, but he never forgot his immigrant roots and his love of liberty. When France gifted the Statue of Liberty to the United States, wealthy New Yorkers refused to pony-up for a base for the statue in the New York harbor. Pulitzer sprang into action, launching a national campaign to raise the funds from fellow immigrants and common folks. Lively painting and collage mixed media bring the text to life.

When Jesse Came Across the Sea. Amy Hest
Illustrated by P. J. Lynch. Candlewick Press, 2003. (2-4) Diligence
Set in the early 20th century, this touching and exquisitely illustrated immigrant story develops themes of courage, hope, and the diligent pursuit of dreams. Jesse, a thirteen-year-old girl from eastern Europe, joins her aunt in America. She has been chosen for the journey to America by her rabbi and her village, but must leave her grandmother behind. Sewing lace, she soon weaves a new life for herself and is able to bring her grandmother to America as well.

Peppe the Lamplighter. Elisa Bartone
Illustrated by Ted Lewin. Harper Colllins, 1997. (2-4) Respect
An Italian immigrant child in Manhattan wants to help his sick father support their family at the turn of the century. In the days before electric lighting, Peppe eagerly accepts a job as a street lamplighter. “He works with care. With each lamp lit, he sees himself lighting a small flame of promise for the future.” But the boy’s father is ashamed that his son is engaged in such “menial” labor. A dark night and a lost sister, help both father and son understand that all work is deserving of respect. Starkly and dramatically illustrated.

The Castle on Hester Street. Linda Heller. Illustrated by Boris Kulikov. Simon and Schuster Books, 2007. (2-4) Imagination, Immigrant Heritage Month.
Grandpa's version of how he and Grandma came to America from Russia is quite different from Grandma's. Julie tries to figure if they flew on a golden cart pulled by a singing goat named Moishe or did they endure an overcrowded boat and a stormy ocean crossing? Each tale Grandpa spins grows wilder while Grandma tells a different story. The lively story and whimsical illustrations show how hard times can be made easier with a little imagination.

Junk Man's Daughter.* Sonia Levitin.
Illustrated by Guy Porfirio. Sleeping Bear Press, 2007.
(2-4) Perseverance, Diligence
A classic immigrant tale of a family leaving the Old World to find "the streets of gold" in America, and instead encountering hard times. We see them through the eyes of daughter Hannah, who after a month in America, accuses her father of lying to them about the opportunities ahead. But Dad (a teacher in the old country, but still learning English) is resourceful and starts a family business collecting junk for resale. The kids contribute long hours of labor after school and the Abrams family does well. This is a story of a family working together to create their future. 21st century kids will be struck by their teamwork, hard work, and maybe notice that their own lives are just a little easier than this family's. *Available on Epic!

Amazing Abe: How Abraham Cahan's Newspaper Gave a Voice to Jewish Immigrants. Norman H. Finkelstein. Illustrated by Vesper Stamper. Holiday House, 2024. (2-5) Lives to Learn From, Immigrant Heritage Month.
Abraham Cahan, a Jewish immigrant to the United States, knew the importance of the Yiddish language. It was the language of his childhood in Lithuania, and it was the language that Jewish immigrants to the United States shared in common. A successful reporter in English newspapers, he saw the need for a new kind of newspaper: one that would promote important social causes, introduce new immigrants to the realities of American life (including how to play baseball!), and comfort those who were homesick. This is the pleasantly told and whimsically illustrated tale of Cahan's newspaper Forverts (The Forward), still running today after more than 100 years.

Hold on to your Music. Mona Golabek and Lee Cohen. Illlustrated by Sonia Possentini. Little, Brown Books, 2021. (2-5) Courage, Hope, Immigrant History
A gifted piano student in pre-World War II Vienna, Lisa Jura’s life changed when the Nazis forbade her teacher to continue lessons with this Jewish student. Lisa's parents sought to protect her and put her on a Kindertransport train to Britain, reminding her to “Hold on to your music. It will be your best friend.” Refugee Lisa is lucky to find support for her music within the children’s home on Willisden Lane, and her music gave hope to others. While life around her is difficult and uncertain, Lisa's music lifts spirits, provides hope, and helps her and others confront the difficult times. True story of this concert pianist, who was eventually accepted into the Royal Academy of Music. (For second to fourth or fifth because of content.)

Andrew Carnegie. Builder of Libraries. Charnan Simon.
Children's Press, 1997. (3-4)
A look at the life of the Scottish immigrant who built libraries across the country.

Jacob Riis’s Camera: Bringing Light to Tenement Children*. Alexis O’Neill. Illustrated by Gary Kelley. Calkins Creek, 2020 (3-5) Justice, Perseverance, Compassion. *Available on Epic!
Danish immigrant Jacob Riis, came to America in 1870 and experienced first hand the horrible living conditions and grinding poverty that many immigrants to New York City endured. He knew he had to do something about it. He tried his hand at various jobs and professions, but came into his own as a journalist. He wrote articles about tenement life, but wanted to do more: SHOW the world the squalor. As a reporter in New York's worst slum (Mulberry Bend), he taught himself to use a camera, and a new invention, flash powder, that illuminated dark spaces. He was able to take and publish photos of the dangerously overcrowded tenements and desperate, starving children. The photographs, published in his classic How the Other Half Lives opened the eyes of people and its police commissioner, Teddy Roosevelt. Riis and Roosevelt and others worked over the next decade to transform this section of New York.

The Welcome Chair. Rosemary Wells. Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney. Paula Wisemen Books, 2021. (2-6) Immigrant Heritage Month, Generosity
Rosemary Wells and Jerry Pinkney team up for a wonderful rendering of a true story. Sam Seigbert, a Jewish immigrant from Bavaria, has a talent for carving and seeks his fortune in the United States. In 1823, he lovingly carves a wooden rocking chair for the family who has taken him in, with the word "Wilkommen" emblazoned to welcome their new son. The chair is handed down from family to friend over generations. With each new family (from different lands) the word “Welcome” is carved in the language of the family receiving the chair. The message is an affirmation of America as a land of welcome to those from all over the globe. Beautiful illustrations.

Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade. Melissa Sweet. Clarion Books, 2011. (2-6) Imagination, Immigrant Heritage Month. How did we get the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with its iconic giant balloons? Tony Sarg, a German immigrant to the United States came from a family of puppeteers and loved inventing things—from a mechanism to feed his family’s chickens to an eye-catching assortment of marionette displays in Macy’s windows in New York City. When his employer Macy’s wanted to put together a big parade for Thanksgiving, Tony was thrilled. But how could the puppets be big enough to be seen by the huge crowds of 1920s New York? He hatches an imaginative plan—upside-down balloon marionettes. Collage-style illustrations add to the imaginative feel of this book. This could be read to younger children, but older elementary students will appreciate it too.

A Poem for Peter. Andrea Davis Pinkney. Illustrated by Steve Johnson.
Viking Books, 2016. (3-6) Wonder, Imagination, Immigrant Heritage Month.
The subtitle says it all: The Story of Ezra Jack Keats and the Creation of the Snowy Day. Delightful illustrations, reminiscent of the [earlier] classic children's book, grace [a] this biography of The Snowy Day’s author, Ezra Jack Keats. Keats himself was the son of Polish immigrants and grew up on New York's lower east side, with a heart for art and for the underdog. When he saw a photo of an African-American child in the snow (the great equalizing blanket), his heart was moved and the book, one of the first to feature a child of color (Peter), was born. The text, written in verse, is thought-provoking and
tells the story in a unique way.

John Muir, America’s Naturalist. Thomas Locker.
Fulcrum, 2010. (3-6) Gratitude,Wonder and Stewardship
Scottish born immigrant John Muir marveled at the beauty and bounty of the American West, where he studied nature, wrote about it, and worked to preserve it. Locker’s text and stunning illustrations showcase the Sierra Nevada region and the wonders of Yosemite. Muir insisted “No temple made with human hands can compare with Yosemite…the grandest of all special temples of nature.” He speculated on the Yosemite’s origin in glacial activity, pondered its botanical and geological features, and called for its preservation. This book inspires awe, wonder, and gratitude for both the gifts of nature and this industrious steward of natural wonders.

Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library Carole Boston Weatherford. Illustrated by Eric Velasquez. Candlewick, 2019. (3-6) Grit, Perseverance, Lives to Learn From, Black History
Afro-Puerto Rican immigrant Arturo Schomburg emigrated to Harlem in the early 1900s, and brought with him a passion for books and a desire to fill a void. Where was the history of people who looked like him? This law clerk and lover of history collected so many works about African history and Black culture that his wife threatened to mutiny. Could he please give them to the library? Or make his own library? Written in free verse, readers will meet the lovable bibliophile who wanted to "tell our stories, proclaim our glories." His collection became the basis for the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture and the basis of the New York City Public Library's collection. Rich and full text make this an older children's book.

The Ten Mile Day: The Building of the Transcontinental Railroad. Mary Ann Fraser. Square Fish, 1996. (4-6)
Nonfiction retelling of the quest to complete the transcontinental railroad. Special focus on extraordinary efforts of Irish and Chinese immigrant workers.

Union Made: Labor Leader Samuel Gompers and His Fight for Workers' Rights. Norman Finkelstein. Calkins Creek, 2019. (5-6) Perseverance, Courage
An engaging chapter book for older readers on one of America's most beloved labor leaders. Displaced cigar-makers, Samuel Gompers and his family emigrated to the United States from London in 1863 - smack in the middle of the Civil War. As a ten-year-old Samuel was accustomed to working and helping his family. He set out to do the same on the lower east side of New York, but also took advantage of every opportunity for learning that came his way. Not only did he expertly roll cigars, he attended lyceum lectures, taught himself German, participated in debating societies and a baseball club. He married his childhood sweetheart at 17 and they had lots of kids and a long marriage. But his passion was helping American workers win better working conditions, better pay, better hours -- all by unionizing. When asked for his philosophy of "What does labor want?" his standard answer was "More!" A marvelous introduction to the energetic and big-hearted founder of the American Federation of Labor.

Home of the Brave. Katherine Applegate.Square Fish, 2008. (5-6) Hope, Gratitude, Courage. 272 pages
This story is not to be missed: you will laugh, cry, and shout for joy with Kek, a ten-year-old boy who, fleeing violence in his African homeland (Sudan), and has settled (with aunt and cousin) in Minnesota. Kek is an optimist, who earnestly strives to embrace his new life, and is quick to see goodness. In Minnesota, he experiences the joy and hardship of winter (moon-shaped snowballs but bone-chilling cold), of school (a chair and desk of his own, but sometimes classmates who mock him), of technology (machines that wash clothes and dishes, but do not forgive if he puts dishes in the wrong one). He is often overcome with wonder at the "honors" that come to him for free. But he is haunted by the memories of violence that took his father and brother, and the uncertainty of ever seeing his mother again. Is she even alive? Then there is the nagging question of whether America will ever be home for him. His friendships (with Hannah, a girl in foster care and Lou, an older woman who runs a farm) and ingenious schemes to better his life and the lives of those around him will win your heart. (Spoiler alert: Mom is alive and joins him at the end.) It is a book of hope, gratitude, and great courage shown on the part of one so young, as by many immigrants over the years. Despite its length, it is written in free verse with wide margins. A riveting read-aloud over 5-7 sessions for older children.

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