American Immigration: Our History, Our Stories

by Kathleen Krull (Author)

American Immigration: Our History, Our Stories
Reading Level: 6th − 7th Grade

Award-winning author Kathleen Krull takes an in-depth historical look at immigration in America--with remarkable stories of some of the immigrants who helped build this country.

With its rich historical text, fascinating sidebars about many immigrants throughout time, an extensive source list and timeline, as well as captivating photos, American Immigration will become a go-to resource for every child, teacher, and librarian discussing the complex history of immigration.

America is a nation of immigrants. People have come to the United States from around the world seeking a better life and more opportunities, and our country would not be what it is today without their contributions.

From writers like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, to scientists like Albert Einstein, to innovators like Elon Musk, this book honors the immigrants who have changed the way we think, eat, and live. Their stories serve as powerful reminders of the progress we've made, and the work that is still left to be done.


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Kirkus

This comprehensive take on American immigration history is strong on facts and weak on analysis.

ALA/Booklist

A clearly written, informative, and timely discussion of immigration.

School Library Journal

Gr 5-8--Krull explores the history of immigration in America and strives to offer a comprehensive view of an issue that continues to impact many young people. The text traces the country's complicated relationship with immigration and immigrants up to the current rulings of the Trump administration. Breaking chapters up with "Immigrant Story" and "Pro and Con" subsections, the narrative moves quickly. However, factual errors, misrepresentations, and oversimplifications prevent the book from achieving its full objective. For example, chapter 12 states "America won the (Mexican-American) War and promptly swallowed, or took over, present-day Texas." Texas was annexed by the U.S. in 1845 and became the 28th state before the war started the following year. The admittedly brief section regarding Andrew Jackson's treatment of Native people omits the Indian Removal Act of 1830. Throughout the text, and particularly beginning in chapter eight, the word "Muslim" is used as a term denoting both religious and ethnic identity. The interchanging usage of the word without proper explanation could confuse young readers. The text also lacks a substantive discussion of the role the U.S. played in creating the military and humanitarian crises that have driven and continue to drive waves of immigration from around the world. There is little to no mention of U.S. sanctions, coups, puppet governments, or many other destabilizing interventions. VERDICT An admirable attempt to address complicated and timely issues concerning immigration throughout U.S. history up to the present day, but the text is unfortunately marred by factual errors, misrepresentations, and oversimplifications.--Ted McCoy, Austin Public Library, Austin, TX

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Publishers Weekly

This volume tackles the seesaw history of U.S. immigration: "Debates over immigration have been noisy and emotional.... This book tries to explain why." Krull (The Only Woman in the Photo) begins by pointing out that the people often thought of as "settlers" were actually immigrants. From there, she traces continuous waves of immigration to the country--German groups in the 18th century, Chinese and Irish Catholics in the 19th century, and Cuban refugees in 1980, among others--tracking the oscillation of public opinion and government policy between acceptance and rejection. Key pieces of U.S. legislation, shaped by fear and inclusive idealism, are discussed, from the white-men-only 1790 Naturalization Law through the 1965 Hart-Cellar Act abolishing racial quotas, up to President Trump's family separation policy. Capsule biographies of U.S. immigrants (from Trump's grandfather to Larissa Martinez, an undocumented high school student) punctuate the chapters. Throughout, Krull's efforts are complicated by choices that range from problematic to debatable (an uncritically positive view of "assimilation," for example), dulling the luster of Krull's otherwise persuasive argument that "America came from nothing to be what it is today because of immigrants." Ages 8-12. (June)

Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"Krull's book presents the good, bad, and ugly truths about immigration and should be required reading for everyone." — Emily M. Schell, Executive Director, California Global Education Project, San Diego State University College of Education

Kathleen Krull
Kathleen Krull (1952-2021) was the author of over 100 books, including No Truth Without Ruth: The Life of Ruth Bader; A Woman for President: The Story of Victoria Woodhull; Lives of Extraordinary Women: Rulers, Rebels (and What the Neighbors Thought); The Only Woman in the Photo; and other acclaimed biographies for young readers. Visit her website at KathleenKrull.com.

Alexandra Bye is a freelance illustrator specializing in fun, colorful illustrations for a variety of media such as editorial and children's publications. Her work is constantly inspired by her flourishing New England community and reflects the energy and dynamic personality of hometown pride. In her free time, she enjoys mountain biking, Nordic ski racing, Jiu Jitsu, studying nutritional therapy, and hiking in the White Mountains with her dog, Oliver.
Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9780062381132
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
HarperCollins
Publication date
June 16, 2020
Series
-
BISAC categories
JNF053240 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Social Topics | Emigration & Immigration
JNF038100 - Juvenile Nonfiction | People & Places | United States
JNF025170 - Juvenile Nonfiction | History | United States/General
Library of Congress categories
History
Immigrants
United States
Emigration and immigration

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