June is a great time to discuss and explore immigration because of Immigration Heritage Month, but really you can do this any time of the year. This post shares immigration children’s books that you can use for this purpose. All of the picture books on this list lend themselves to this topic really well. Take a peek below to learn more about these immigration children’s books!
5 Immigration Children’s Books
Below is a list of some of our favorite immigration children’s books to share with elementary students. Check them out!
1. Where Are You From? by Yamile Saied Mendez
The main character in this book is always asked where she is from. She tries to explain that she is from here, just like everyone else. However, that answer doesn’t seem to satisfy the people asking. She decides to ask her Abuelo where she is from because he knows everything. He tells her all about the places her ancestors lived and the things they used to do. She is from the Pampas, gauchos, and brown river. She learns she is from the blue ocean and hurricanes.
When she presses for the name of a specific place, he tells her that she comes from his heart and the heart of all of the family members that came before them. The little girl is happy with this answer and proud to know more about where she is from.
Check out these Where Are You From? teaching resources and activities to help you plan and deliver highly engaging read aloud lessons!
2. Islandborn by Junot Díaz
Lola and her classmates were all born somewhere else. Their teacher gives them an assignment to draw a picture of the country they are originally from. Everyone in the class is excited to share stories about where they are from, except Lola. She left the island when she was just a baby so she does not remember it.
With the help of her teacher, Lola decides to ask her neighbors and families what they remember about the island so she can make her drawing. Lola spends the afternoon talking to people about the island and taking notes. She learned about bats as big as blankets, the delicious mangoes, the beaches and even a hurricane.
When Lola goes down stairs to talk to Mr. Mir, he tells her about something bad that happened on the island. Many years ago a monster arrived and caused problems on the island. That’s why many people had to move away from the island.
Lola is finally ready to start her drawing, but she ends up creating a whole book of drawings. The next day Lola brings her drawings to school. She explains to her class that although she doesn’t remember the island, it is still part of her.
Check out these Islandborn teaching resources and activities to help you plan and deliver highly engaging read aloud lessons!
3. Dreamers by Yuyi Morales
Yuyi Morales’ book, Dreamers, tells the story of a mother who immigrated to a new home with her young child. They pack a backpack full of gifts and make the journey to their new home. It is challenging for them at first. The people in the new country speak a different language. It is difficult for them to understand and they make a lot of mistakes.
One day, the two discover a library. By checking out books at the library, they start to learn the new language. Overtime, they are able to write and speak the language. They never gave up on their dream of becoming something greater, something they haven’t imagined yet.
Dreamers is a story of perseverance and dreaming for a better life. Check out these Dreamers teaching resources and activities to help you plan and deliver highly engaging read aloud lessons!
4. Lubna and Pebble by Wendy Meddour
Far away in the World of Tents lives a little girl named Lubna. Lubna’s best friend is a pebble, to whom she tells everything. She shares about her family, about her home, and even about the war. One day, she meets a little boy all alone. She realized that he needs the pebble more than she does.
This emotional, heartfelt story shares the realities of those in refugee camps and the importance of empathy and compassion. Check out these Lubna and Pebble teaching resources and activities to help you plan and deliver highly engaging read aloud lessons!
5. Wishes by Muon Thi Van
This powerful story tells of the journey a young girl and her family made to flee their country in search of a better life.
Her family wishes the clock was slower, the lights were brighter, and the night quieter as they packed their things. Together with her siblings and mom, they said goodbye to their home and loved ones. They traveled on a long path to the water, where they boarded a small boat taking them through rough waves and warm sun. Finally, they see a ship in the distance that takes them to a place where hopefully, they do not have to wish anymore.
Check out these Wishes teaching resources and activities to help you plan and deliver highly engaging read aloud lessons!
Grab the Free Reading Resources!
In closing, we hope you found this list of immigration children’s books helpful! They are part of our Starts With a Story collection. If you want to get more book ideas to read aloud to your elementary students, then grab this reading freebie. It includes read aloud books lists, reading logs, and reading challenges for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classroom teachers. It will have you covered for the entire school year, as well as the summer months! Grab this free elementary reading packet now!
