I'm New Here

Reviewed by: Patricia Temple - Long Island Community Library, Long Island, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: November 17, 2015

Review

The author has given readers a clear, concise presentation of the newcomer's experience of joining a new school, community and/or country and all that has to be learned and adapted to. The economic yet creative use of words paired with the bold colored illustrations result in a book that gives us insight the frustrations and challenges of entering a classroom with no English language skills. Examples of three children from different cultures, Maria from Guatemala, Jin from Korea and Fatima from Somalia show them enjoying friends and pastimes in their native countries and the initial struggles to function and fit in to a new foreign environment. The illustrations adeptly portray feelings like alone, confused and sad as well as the satisfaction of new beginnings and a new home. All three classrooms shown here model how important schools and peers are in being accepting and supportive of newcomers. All school library should have a copy of this book. I'm recommending this one for the Cream of the Crop list.

Overall Book Score: excellent