We Came to America

Reviewed by: Kathy George - Gray Public Library, Gray, Me, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: June 6, 2016

Review

This book could not come at a better time. Faith Ringgold speaks to the reader of all who have come to America and why they came. She speaks of those who came in chains and were deprived of everything including their names. She speaks of those who came to escape injustice. She speaks of those who came to find a better way of life. In this ode to the immigrant, she speaks to what they have brought to this country and how America is better for their coming. While the text is short and poetic, Ringgold's large, colorful illustrations express the diversity that makes America great. This is a must have for libraries large and small. this can be used as part of a unit on diversity or immigration along with Coming to America by Betsy Maestro, I'm New Here by Anne Sibley O'Brien, My name is Yoon by Helen Recorvits and Who Belongs Here by Margy Burns Knight.

Overall Book Score: excellent