Posts Tagged: First Generation Children

Wednesday, February 08, 2017

10 Books About Immigrant/1st Gen Experiences

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TBH, I don’t even know how to start this post off. I wish the world was a better place and I wish everyone could just agree that we all deserve to be treated as humans and equals instead of shitting on the existence of entire groups of people. I am trying to use this space to promote books that we should all be reading right now and to get people to support more diverse (& #ownvoices) content. So here is a list of 10 Books about Immigrant/1st Gen Experiences.

1. Written in the Stars by Aisha Saeed

MC is a first gen Pakistani-American and the book is #ownvoices. Also deals with arranged marriage and has a jaw-dropping gorgeous cover.

2. American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang

I think people who exist in diaspora will definitely relate to this wonderful graphic novel. #ownvoices and forever one of my favorite books within the scope of this reality.

3. The Arrival by Shaun Tan

TBH, someone just needs to read this fucking graphic novel to flail with me over its brilliance. There are only pictures and no words but the art is amazing and the graphic novel is so intricately designed. Author is Asian-Australian and the graphic novel is about immigration experiences.

4. The Radius of Us by Marie Marquardt

Not #ownvoices. Has a latinx main character from El Salvador.

5. American Street by Ibi Zoboi

MC is an immigrant from Haiti. #ownvoices.

6. Something in Between by Melissa De La Cruz

MC is a first gen Filipino-American character. #ownvoices

7. Does My Head Look Big in This by Randa Abdel-Fattah

Another book that literally changed my life when I was a bb-8. 100/10, would recommend reading. MC is a first gen Australian-Palestinian. #ownvoices

8. Tell Me Again How A Crush Should Feel by Sara Farizan

MC is lesbian and Persian-American. #ownvoices.

9. Like Water on Stone by Dana Walrath

Written in verse. About three siblings trying to survive during the horrific Armenian Genocide of 1915 just as the Ottoman Empire was crumbling. Incredibly heartbreaking.

10. The Secret Side of Empty by Maria E. Andreu

MC is an undocumented immigrant from Argentina. #ownvoices.

Feel free to share some of your own recs in the comments below!