I'm an American

by Darshana Khiani, Laura Freeman (Illustrator)

Overview

A breathtaking, eye-opening look at the patchwork of cultures that make up our nation and the many ways we define what it means to be an American.

One of Chicago Public Library’s Best Books of 2023!

What does it mean to be American?

A classroom of children across many races, cultures, and origins explores the concept of Americanness as they each share bits of their family history and how their past has shaped their own personal American experience. Whether as new immigrants, or those whose family came to this country generations ago, or other scenarios, these children’s stories show some of the broad range of cultures and values that form the history and identity of our nation.

A beautifully depicted, thought-provoking look at the vast expanse of cultures that exists in America, the values that bring us together as one people despite our differences, and the many ways we define what it means to be an American.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593464724
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	05/02/2023
Pages:	48
Sales rank:	236,162
Product dimensions:	8.88(w) x 11.31(h) x 0.44(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Darshana Khiani was born in Kenya and immigrated to the United States when she was one. She is an author, engineer, and advocate for South Asian children’s literature. She is infinitely curious about the world and enjoys sharing her findings with young readers. If she can make a child laugh, even better. She is the author of How to Wear a Sari. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family and a furry pup.

You can visit her online at DarshanaKhiani.com or follow her on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok @DarshanaKhiani.

Laura Freeman is the New York Times bestselling illustrator of Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race, for which she won the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award and NAACP Image Award. She received her BFA from the School of Visual Arts and has illustrated over thirty children’s books, including Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice and The Faith of Elijah Cummings: The North Star of Equal Justice. In addition to illustrations in books and editorial content, her art can be found on a wide range of products, from dishes and textiles to greeting cards. She lives with her family in Atlanta.

You can visit her online at LFreemanArt.com.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for I'm an American:

“The characters and their stories reflect many lived realities and provide a dynamic sense of America’s many facets, which is echoed in Freeman’s lovely, luminous, quilt-like illustrations . . . will likely encourage discussion and further exploration of American ideals and identity.” —Booklist

"Each page reveals the many ways in which . . . families have shaped America—and continue to do so—as they share the values they hold dear. Freeman’s stunning illustrations drive the story home . . . adding texture, depth, and color. Will inspire a closer look at America’s rich history—and the myriad experiences of Americans." —Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

06/02/2023

Gr 1–5—The Statue of Liberty, a soaring bald eagle, and the Stars and Stripes introduce the American experience and the important tenets that make this a nation. Large appealing faces of a diverse group of young people populate each page. These children of varied ages discuss what makes them American. The picture book presents different groups of Americans and how they came to the United States. Behind each child narrator's head, woven into the background, are the origin stories. The illustrations include quilt squares with soft patterns and bits of the flag. The work features the experiences of those from Indigenous, Black, LGBTQIA+, Chinese, Irish, Russian, German, Japanese, Indian, Somali, Mexican, Filipino, and Venezuelan backgrounds. The book concludes by celebrating diversity as a strength that can help build a better nation. The author includes her own origin story in her notes. The last pages expand on each section, differentiating the book for older readers. Paragraphs discuss the factors that influenced migration and the experiences of non-immigrant groups (Indigenous peoples, enslaved peoples). Additional matter includes a map, further reading, bibliography, and more. VERDICT A lushly illustrated, accessible title.—Elisabeth LeBris

School Library Journal

2023-02-25
What makes someone American?

A classroom of children from a wide variety of backgrounds ponder the characteristics and qualities of the American identity. Is it a matter of where you live? What you look like? Or perhaps the traditions you follow? “I think being an American is something more,” one child contends. The others share their own beliefs and family experiences—one student is the grandchild of Japanese Americans who were unjustly imprisoned during World War II; another child and their family members are Somali refugees; a light-skinned child attends Pride each year with their fathers. Each page reveals the many ways in which their families have shaped America—and continue to do so—as they share the values they hold dear. Khiani attempts to capture each meaningful experience succinctly. Still, younger readers may feel left behind during the story’s more complex moments, such as a discussion of the impact of redlining on Black Americans. Freeman’s stunning illustrations drive the story home, with layered images depicting past and present on each page interwoven with the American flag, adding texture, depth, and color. The resulting patchwork effect reinforces the power of both diversity and shared beliefs in breathing life and strength into the American identity. Extensive backmatter provides further context and guidance for additional research. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Will inspire a closer look at America’s rich history—and the myriad experiences of Americans. (author’s note, map, migration factors, additional information about the various cultures mentioned, further reading, selected bibliography) (Informational picture book. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews