Their Great Gift: Courage, Sacrifice and Hope in a New Land

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

Review Date: September 19, 2016

Review

Wing Young Huie's photos are striking! In both black and white and color, he has captured the look of immigration. The reader can see how people left everything to come to the United States hoping for a better life. Coy's text is simple but powerful, explaining what the photos show: coming with nothing, working menial jobs,working long hours, being misunderstood, opening their own businesses and becoming part of the American dream. "They came here because they dreamed of more," "others didn't understand how much they had sacrificed", "work hard, never give up, do well in school." the title is part of the question asked of the reader at the end of the book-"what will we do with their great gift?"Pair this with Faith ringold's We Came to America and I'm New Here by Anne Sibley O'Brien.My only wish is that there was more information on the photos.

Overall Book Score: very good