Immigration Stories
This list has books by authors who have recently partnered with Wondermore—from picture books to young adult novels. We have given copies of these books to students during our author visits. These books are filled with hope, challenges, perseverance, humor, and bravery. They serve as important mirrors for students whose families have immigrated to the United States—and as windows that build understanding. You might consider gifting or borrowing a copy of one of these titles from a library for a young person in your life!
Picture books
Janet Costa Bates; illustrated by Lambert Davis, Sea Side Dream
In this tender story of immigration, a young girl finds a way to give her grandmother the perfect present—and the courage to plan a trip to her home country, Cape Verde.
Rajani LaRocca; illustrated by Huy Voun Lee, Some of Us: Story of Citizenship and the United States
This insightful story honors the many different paths to citizenship and celebrates all people who enrich our country by striving to participate in our democracy.
Raúl the Third, ¡Vamos! Let’s Go to the Market and companions
Set in El Paso and in Juárez on the U.S.– Mexico border, this vibrant picture book series follows Little Lobo and his dog as they deliver supplies to vendors selling everything from portraits to piñatas. Original editions are bilingual; Spanish editions are also available.
Karla Arenas Valenti; illustrated by Ana Ramírez González, Maria Mariposa
A lyrical children’s book about finding confidence, embracing identity, and recognizing that your unique self is more than enough.
Andrea Wang; illustrated by Jason Chin, Watercress
A story about the power of sharing memories—including the painful ones—and the way our heritage stays with us and shapes us, even when we don’t see it.
Early Readers and Middle Grade
Pablo Cartaya, A Hero’s Guide to Summer Vacation
This story of a family road trip stars a reluctant young hero who makes discoveries about himself and his curmudgeonly Cuban-born, famous-writer grandfather while driving cross-country in a 1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass S convertible.
Ruth Chan, Uprooted
This graphic memoir is a joyful and tearful story based on Ruth’s experience of moving from Toronto to Hong Kong—a place where her family fits in, but which initially feels nothing like home to her.
Teen Readers
Jennifer DeLeon, Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From
In this powerful novel, first-generation U.S. citizen Liliana tries to fit in at her new, nearly all-white school. When family secrets spill out and racism ramps up, she must decide what she believes in—and take a stand.
Ibi Zoboi, American Street
Zoboi’s acclaimed YA novel is both a coming-of-age story about a teenage Haitian immigrant navigating life in Detroit and a lyrical exploration of the American Dream, infused with a touch of magical realism