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Between the Shelves

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Life, Read to Resist, Young Adult Literature

Read to Resist: Immigrant Voices

Read to Resist

In the current political climate, I can’t help but feel useless. After all, I don’t have much in the way of political power and my following is small compared to a lot of others. But there is one way that I know to fight back–reading and supporting authors talking about these issues in their books. Supporting their stories that go against the master narrative could end up changing the master narrative.

My form of resistance, along these lines, will be to highlight these stories that are speaking out against the master narrative, whether directly or indirectly. I think this is a series I’ll start, perhaps highlighting issues once or twice a month. In light of all the immigration policies coming out in recent weeks, this week I’m going to focus specifically on young adult books that feature immigration stories, from #OwnVoices authors (authors who have experienced what they are writing about). Find these books, read these books, share these books–a small form of resistance.

1. The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

Nicola Yoon is an immigrant from Jamaica, currently living in Los Angeles. The Son is Also a Star features the story of Natasha–an immigrant from Jamaica about to be deported–and Daniel–the son of immigrants, desperate to pursue art instead of medicine. The two meet by chance in New York City and form a connection they never thought possible.

 

2. American Street by Ibi Zoboi

Ibi Zoboi immigrated from Haiti to New York when she was four with her mother. Though her experience happened when she was younger, it inspired the story of Fabiola Toussaint, an immigrant from Haiti who gets separated from her mother at the border. She goes to live with her cousins in Detroit, vowing to find a way to bring her mother there too.



3. Disappeared by Francisco X. Stork

Born in Mexico, Francisco X. Stork came to the United States when he was nine with his mother and stepfather. Disappeared follows the story of Sara Zapata, who lives in Mexico, a town run by violent gangs. When her best friend gets kidnapped, Sara starts digging into her disappearance–but doing so puts her in immense danger. As those in power start to close in on Sara, she and her brother must make the impossible journey to the United States, with the hope to gain asylum.



4. Something in Between by Melissa de la Cruz

Melissa de la Cruz came to the United States from Manila when she was in high school. Something in Between follows the story of Jasmine de los Santos, the daughter of Filipino immigrants who is about to receive a national scholarship for school. But the scholarship committee reveals something about her parents: their visas have long been expired. Now, Jasmine has no idea where she fits in, and with the threat of deportation, her college dreams have forever been changed.



5. Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

Marjane Satrapi was born and raised in Iran, currently living in France as a graphic novelist. While her story isn’t necessarily one of immigration to the US, her story, shown in this graphic memoir, is one of many immigrants that come to the US. Her story is eye opening, and the graphic narrative format supports her story even more.

 

Check these books out from your library, buy them from your local bookstore, or buy them online; read them and resist the narrative being spun by our current president. #ReadandResist