Review by Booklist Review
In this collection of short graphic stories, migrant authors and illustrators bring to life some of the many incredible journeys people take to come to the U.S. The project matched creators from similar backgrounds and heritages to make sure illustrations and stories complemented each other in the best way possible. These stories can serve as powerful tools to foster solidarity with readers familiar with these journeys and to build empathy in those who have never had to undertake something so difficult. There are also enjoyable extras: each story includes a brief biography of each creator, and a map at the beginning details the country of origin for everyone involved in the project. The eye-catching cover design by veteran illustrator Nate Powell will be sure to intrigue readers and bring them to this important work about the human experience. While some may wish for more resolution to some of the accounts, the majority of the stories are moving narratives that will connect readers to the struggles of immigration and could provoke further exploration and discussion.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Eleven storytellers chronicle their journeys from places all over the world--including Guatemala, Chad, Vietnam, and Kazakhstan--to the United States. Each story compellingly details a variety of experiences the individual immigrant or refugee had, highlighting differences between stories that too often are lumped together or not given an opportunity to be heard. Each storyteller was paired with an illustrator from a similar linguistic and cultural heritage. The thoughtfulness of the matches shines through, as every panel authentically conveys the narrators' poignant and emotional memories, highlighting the beauty of their homelands and the cultures they still identify with. The narratives show the struggles and triumphs of acclimating to a new language, culture, and worldview as well as dealing with obstacles like racism and microaggressions. Readers meet remarkable people like Zaynab Abdi from Yemen, whose story is illustrated by Egyptian American artist Ashraf El-Attar in stark black and white. Her harrowing journey was filled with sorrow and trauma yet, when she finally settled in Minnesota, she found purpose and opportunity through hard work and activism, speaking at the United Nations about girls' education in Yemen. Each profile opens with brief biographies and photos or drawings of the storytellers and artists along with website URLs for learning more about them. Glossaries following many of the stories define potentially unfamiliar terms. The vibrant diversity of artistic styles offers pleasing variety within the unifying thematic framework of the volume. Will strongly evoke both thought-provoking insights and empathy. (Graphic nonfiction. 12-16) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
