Families who loved Dmitry A Young Soviet Immigrant by Joanne E. Bernstein often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child is facing a significant life transition, especially one involving a new school or a move where they feel like an outsider. It provides a grounded, realistic look at the disorientation that comes with starting over in a foreign place. By following Dmitry, a real boy from the Soviet Union, children can see that their feelings of nervousness and 'differentness' are a natural part of a brave journey. The story documents Dmitry and his parents as they navigate the logistical and emotional hurdles of immigrating to the United States. It addresses themes of cultural identity, the loss of the familiar, and the resilience required to build a new life. This photo-essay is ideal for elementary and middle schoolers, offering a window into a specific historical moment while touching on universal feelings of longing and hope. Parents will appreciate the honest depiction of both the struggles and the small, hard-won victories of integration.
