American Street

Ibi Zoboi

Embark on a coming-of-age journey filled with magical realism and romance in Ibi Zoboi’s stunning debut novel in which she expertly weaves together the complicated issues of immigration with the desires of chasing after the American Dream. As your students follow Fabiola from Haiti to the streets of Detroit, they will find themselves captivated by this story of one girl’s fierce determination to build a good life.

Enrique's Journey

Sonia Nazario

Based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning series of newspaper articles, Enrique's Journey tells the compelling story of a boy who undertakes the formidable trek from Mexico to the United States to reunite with his estranged mother. Illegal immigration is often discussed in terms of statistics, but author Sonia Nazario has added an essential human perspective to the conversation.

Funny in Farsi: A Memoir of Growing Up Iranian in America

Firoozeh Dumas

Told as a series of vignettes, this memoir by Firoozeh Dumas recalls her experiences growing up as an Iranian American, starting with her family’s move from Iran to California in 1972. Each vignette explores a different moment in Dumas’s life, from amusing stories of her parents to the social challenges she faced as an Iranian immigrant. As they read, your students will appreciate Dumas’s humorous storytelling while learning about the importance of cultural identity and family ties.

The Jungle

Upton Sinclair

Upton Sinclair’s novel is best known for its depiction of Chicago’s industrialized society, but it is primarily about the lives of Lithuanian immigrants in early 20th-century America. With its vivid imagery and powerful message about self-perpetuating political corruption, management-union conflicts, and the horrors of the meat-packing industry, The Jungle will give your students a new perspective on the human condition.

Girl in Translation

Jean Kwok

Not long after she and her mother arrive in Brooklyn from Hong Kong, Kimberly Chang begins leading a secret double life. By day, she is an ambitious schoolgirl; by night, a Chinatown sweatshop worker. Kimberly knows the way to better opportunities is through education, but between overcoming the language barrier and fulfilling obligations to her family, she is under immense pressure to succeed.

Outcasts United

Warren St. John

The compelling true story of a group of young refugees from war-torn countries and the resilient soccer coach who brings them together, Outcasts United gives insight into the struggles young immigrants face when trying to assimilate into American culture. If your classroom is in need of inspirational nonfiction that presents a multicultural perspective, Outcasts United is an excellent selection.

Behold the Dreamers

Imbolo Mbue

Take your students back to the 2008 global financial crisis with Behold the Dreamers, an intimate look into the lives of two extremely different families. The Jongas, having recently emigrated from Cameroon to America, make a living working for the Edwards family, a wealthy husband and wife with connections to Lehman Brothers. Fast-paced and political, Behold the Dreamers is an excellent novel to connect students with literature about American exceptionalism.

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter

Erika L. Sánchez

Appropriate for older readers, I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter follows Julia Reyes, a rebellious teenager and the child of Mexican immigrants, as she struggles with depression and family issues after the unexpected death of her older sister, Olga. Unlike Julia, Olga lived a seemingly ideal life, but that illusion is shattered when Julia discovers a dark secret following her sister’s passing. Part mystery, part coming-of-age tale, this book will have students eager to see where Julia’s story ultimately leads.

Americanized: Rebel Without a Green Card

Sara Saedi

At thirteen, Sara Saedi believes friends, fashion, and boys are her biggest concerns. But one day, Sara uncovers a shocking secret: Her Iranian family has been living in America as undocumented immigrants since she was two years old. Faced with this knowledge, Sara soon finds herself juggling her fear of deportation alongside the everyday struggles of being a teen. Filled with witty writing, historical details, and '90s pop culture references, this memoir takes a critical look at the long and difficult journey to becoming an American citizen.

Butterfly Yellow

Thanhhà Lại

In the last days of the Vietnam War, Hằng’s little brother, Linh, is taken away to America as part of Operation Babylift, leaving Hằng behind. Six years later, Hằng journeys from Vietnam to Texas in search of Linh. At first, Hằng is overjoyed when she reunites with Linh. But when she realizes he doesn’t remember her, their family, or Vietnam, her heart is crushed. Though the distance between them feels greater than ever, Hằng will do anything to help bridge the gap. Winner of the Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction, Butterfly Yellow is a deeply moving story of family, friendship, and identity.

Brooklyn

Colm Tóibín

The book that inspired the award-winning movie, Brooklyn is a charming historical novel featuring a brave woman who must choose between the two men she loves, as well as between two vastly different countries. Colm Tóibín paints an authentic portrait of the immigrant experience, as the main character Eilis Lacey travels between Ireland and New York City during the 1950s.

Under the Feet of Jesus

Maria Viramontes

Poignant and heart-wrenching, Helena Maria Viramontes’s novel tells a remarkable story about the lives of a working-class Latino family of migrant fruit-pickers in California. Told from the perspective of young Estrella, Under the Feet of Jesus tackles the heavy themes of poverty and immigration with grace, dignity, and delicacy.

The Leavers

Lisa Ko

Winner of the 2016 PEN/Bellwether Prize for Fiction, Lisa Ko’s The Leavers is a powerful novel that examines cultural heritage, familial relationships, and the true meaning of belonging. When his mother, Polly, an undocumented Chinese immigrant, suddenly goes missing, Deming Guo finds himself completely alone. It’s not until he’s adopted by well-meaning white parents and renamed Daniel Wilkinson that the boy realizes just how much he has lost.

When I Was Puerto Rican

Esmeralda Santiago

A universal coming-of-age story, this memoir tells of author Esmeralda Santiago's childhood in Puerto Rico and subsequent move to America. Her process of acclimating to a new culture and language is an experience your students will find both compelling and resonant. When I Was Puerto Rican is a great addition to both your multicultural and nonfiction units.

The Book of Unknown Americans

Cristina Henríquez

When their daughter, Maribel, suffers a traumatic accident, the Rivera family makes the tough decision to seek treatment in the United States. But soon after leaving Mexico and arriving at their new apartment in Delaware, the Riveras discover a host of obstacles—from language and cultural differences to racism and violence—stand in the way of Maribel’s recovery. Strong language and references to sexual assault make this book better suited for older readers.