Status
Available
Genres
Collection
Publication
Holiday House (2017), 160 pages
Description
"Anais, who has recently emigrated from Africa to Maine with her mother and young brother, copes with acclimating herself to a new country, understanding American culture, learning English, figuring out how to fit in at school, and moving from motel to shelter and finally to a permanent apartment"--
User reviews
LibraryThing member Maydacat
Intended for kids ages 8-12, this novel will appeal to all ages. Anais is newly arrived in America from the Congo, and knows only a smattering of English. Her family is divided, with her father and older brother staying in the Congo as well as her grandmother. Living in a shelter with her mother
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and her younger brother, she greatly misses the life she knew back home. But political unrest has put her father in danger, and her mother is in the US, seeking asylum for her whole family. Meanwhile, Anais must go to a new school, learn a new language, and deal with a different culture where almost nothing makes sense. To help adjust to her new life, her grandmother tells her she must find one good thing about America every day. Thus begins her series of delightful and charming letters to Oma. On some days, it is very hard for her think of even one good thing; on other days – especially when she discovers pizza and ice cream for the first time – it is easy. The enjoyment of this tale arises not only from seeing America through the eyes of a young immigrant child, but also in her discovery of new things and her growth in knowledge and maturity. A good tale to read, this story is an even better one to discuss and ponder. Show Less
LibraryThing member Staciele
If you have ever moved and had to start over in a new school or new community or a new job, you can identify with that feeling of uncertainty and trepidation. But, imagine starting over in a new country, because you've had to escape the violence in your country. Imagine living in a shelter among
This is the story of Anais and her mother and brother. They came to America to escape the violence in Congo but had to leave their grandma, older brother, and father behind. Anais tells her story in a series of letters that she writes to her grandma expressing her frustrations, fears, and crazy things about Americans. When her grandma writes back she asks her to stop writing about all the bad things that are happening and that from now on in her letters, she must find "One Good Thing about America" every day and write about them in her letters.
Anais is a very bright girl and thought she understood English until she came to America. She is often frustrated by how she is treated by other kids in school. She doesn't like that things aren't the same as they were in Congo. She is happy they are safe, but she is constantly worrying about her family left behind in Congo.
Since the story is told in letter format from Anais's point of view, it makes it an easy read for middle-grade students. This would make a great classroom read for teachers that have a student from another country in their classroom or school. Children will be able to emphasize with a new student when they hear Anais's struggles with adapting to a new country, school, and culture.
Anais finds she is comforted by her ELL teacher Mrs. Taylor. This teacher offered Anais support and understanding and was able to give her the individual attention she needed to feel safe. Ruth Freeman wrote this book because of her own experiences as an ELL teacher and based Anais on many of the students she has taught over the years. Her story is timely and makes us pause a moment and try to understand those who come to our country and their struggles adapting to our norms.
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total strangers. Imagine starting a school where the clothes the kids wear are different and itchy, the food they eat is strange....chicken FINGERS???, and the people speak English way too fast.This is the story of Anais and her mother and brother. They came to America to escape the violence in Congo but had to leave their grandma, older brother, and father behind. Anais tells her story in a series of letters that she writes to her grandma expressing her frustrations, fears, and crazy things about Americans. When her grandma writes back she asks her to stop writing about all the bad things that are happening and that from now on in her letters, she must find "One Good Thing about America" every day and write about them in her letters.
Anais is a very bright girl and thought she understood English until she came to America. She is often frustrated by how she is treated by other kids in school. She doesn't like that things aren't the same as they were in Congo. She is happy they are safe, but she is constantly worrying about her family left behind in Congo.
Since the story is told in letter format from Anais's point of view, it makes it an easy read for middle-grade students. This would make a great classroom read for teachers that have a student from another country in their classroom or school. Children will be able to emphasize with a new student when they hear Anais's struggles with adapting to a new country, school, and culture.
Anais finds she is comforted by her ELL teacher Mrs. Taylor. This teacher offered Anais support and understanding and was able to give her the individual attention she needed to feel safe. Ruth Freeman wrote this book because of her own experiences as an ELL teacher and based Anais on many of the students she has taught over the years. Her story is timely and makes us pause a moment and try to understand those who come to our country and their struggles adapting to our norms.
Show Less
Awards
Language
Original language
English
ISBN
0823436950 / 9780823436958