Ten Middle Grade Books that Reflect the US Immigration Experience by Natalie Dias Lorenzi
Like any school librarian, I’m always looking for books that will connect with my students. There’s nothing like reading a new book and thinking, “Yes! I know just the child who will love this book...”
But at the elementary school where I teach outside of Washington, DC, matching books with kids isn’t always easy. Eighty-eight percent of my students speak a language other than English, most read below grade level as they acquire English as a second or third language, and the vast majority are immigrants or children of immigrants.
With the current diversity in our schools, teachers need resources that will encourage empathy and understanding of the political issues related to immigration as well as the social and emotional aspects of it. These books present immigration issues from the childrens' point of view. This excellent list will be useful to librarians, teachers, and parents.
