vaanishukla8's review against another edition
4.0
This book shows you how there are different ways of being an American. It's a must-read book which highlights diversity, inclusivity and how life unfolds for people who are considered "Outsiders". I went through so many emotions reading this. A beautiful collection of essays which takes you through the lives of immigrants.
carrienation76's review
5.0
I am moved and humbled by the collection of stories. Across the 32 essays in this book, we hear from people across many backgrounds all sharing what insight they have to offer about the immigrant experience in America - what it means to the brave people who embark on a new life, how their courage ripples across generations, and how that sacrifice changes the course of history.
While many themes are covered, one thread really resonated with me - the tendency for many of these authors or their family members to wonder iterations of, "Who am I to change the world?" The way one chooses to answer that question, and the life-affirming struggle to reach "Why *not* me?", makes all the difference.
While it's hard to pick a favorite, I particularly recommend the ones penned by America Ferrera, Carmen Carrera, Uzo Aduba, Linda Sarsour, Martin Sensmeier, and Ravi Patel as the stand-outs for me.
This was a phenomenal and meaningful read. Every piece was moving. I laughed. I cried. It's hard not to be moved by these testaments to love, family, community, and sacrifice.
While many themes are covered, one thread really resonated with me - the tendency for many of these authors or their family members to wonder iterations of, "Who am I to change the world?" The way one chooses to answer that question, and the life-affirming struggle to reach "Why *not* me?", makes all the difference.
While it's hard to pick a favorite, I particularly recommend the ones penned by America Ferrera, Carmen Carrera, Uzo Aduba, Linda Sarsour, Martin Sensmeier, and Ravi Patel as the stand-outs for me.
This was a phenomenal and meaningful read. Every piece was moving. I laughed. I cried. It's hard not to be moved by these testaments to love, family, community, and sacrifice.
kateleos's review against another edition
5.0
A beautiful book that I look forward to having on my own shelves and watching my between-cultures girls discover as they get older. All the essays moved me, but particularly Tanaya Winder and Martin Sensmeier (both writing from a Native perspective), and Uzo Aduba (a Nigerian-American).
stephfauatea's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. This book is amazing! I absolutely love love LOVED it! I loved the diversity of people in the book and how each person’s story is unique but still each an experience in growing up in the United States.
I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone! It’s a must read for sure.
I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone! It’s a must read for sure.
laurab2125's review against another edition
4.0
Not all the stories appealed to me, but the majority were well-written, thoughtful and provided insight into an experience that is necessarily foreign to me.
I will also say this: America Ferrera is an excellent author and I would love to read anything she chooses to write.
I will also say this: America Ferrera is an excellent author and I would love to read anything she chooses to write.
spinebrreaker's review
4.0
Lots of hits, only a few stories that didn't resonate with me. A compelling peek into the cultures that I am not a part of and the lives of some of my favorite personalities.
mbinstock's review
5.0
I didn’t expect to identify with this anthology as much as I did. Growing up, the fact that I have light skin made me feel like I couldn’t identify at Latinx or that I had to explain my dad’s background to explain why i was so pale. The fact that I understand Spanish and can speak it conversationally, but not fluently only reiterated to me the fact that, in my mind, I was only allowed to identify as white, even though I grew up watching telenovelas, eating empanadas, and wholly embracing my mother’s South American and Middle Eastern culture.
So when I started listening to this book, I expected that I wouldn’t be able to identify because I have always sort of stopped myself from identifying. But hearing these stories, the families that came from nothing, that sacrificed everything, that valued teaching their children their values and traditions when all their children wanted was to be “more American” - that was me, that was my experience.
The stories themselves range from serious and profound, to silly and light hearted. And as much as I related to some of the stories, I appreciated hearing stories from folks whose cultures and experiences I had never really been exposed to. The book itself really focuses on culture rather than politics, which may make it easier to digest for some people, even though this topic seems pretty inextricable from politics these days.
Overall, this was a wonderful read and I encourage everyone to read or listen to it.
So when I started listening to this book, I expected that I wouldn’t be able to identify because I have always sort of stopped myself from identifying. But hearing these stories, the families that came from nothing, that sacrificed everything, that valued teaching their children their values and traditions when all their children wanted was to be “more American” - that was me, that was my experience.
The stories themselves range from serious and profound, to silly and light hearted. And as much as I related to some of the stories, I appreciated hearing stories from folks whose cultures and experiences I had never really been exposed to. The book itself really focuses on culture rather than politics, which may make it easier to digest for some people, even though this topic seems pretty inextricable from politics these days.
Overall, this was a wonderful read and I encourage everyone to read or listen to it.