I’m an American sets out to demonstrate the ideology that created the United States and why people from around the world continue to immigrate to the United States of America.

This is a powerful book that should be shared with everyone in every age group! Darshana Khiani’s words beautifully explain why people have been coming and continue to come, while Laura Freeman’s illustrations will warm your heart in a way take might just bring you to tears. Khiani has chosen people’s stories from China, Ireland, Russia, Muscogee Nation, Germany, Japan, and India knowing there are so many more countries that could easily be included. The values of: being able to vote, freedom of religion, perseverance, diligence, justice, pursuit of happiness, safety, equality, freedom to express yourself, and unity each tell a story of one people’s reason for traveling here for a new life.

It is important to continue reading after the illustrations are finished to include the Author’s Note, My Family’s Immigration Story, Migration Factors, and Around the World- about each of the groups listed above.

This book is a treasure of what America was created to be!

Submitted by Mary Pong