Families who loved Good Fortune: My Journey to Gold Mountain by Li Keng Wong often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
A parent would reach for this book when their child begins asking about their own family history, or when they want to introduce the concept of immigration through a deeply personal and relatable lens. Li Keng Wong shares her real life journey from a small Chinese village to the intimidating barracks of Angel Island, and finally to a new life in Oakland. It is a story that balances the fear of the unknown with the steadfast courage of a young girl seeking a place to belong. This memoir is particularly appropriate for elementary and middle schoolers as it provides a factual but accessible look at the Chinese American experience during the 1930s. Parents will appreciate how it humanizes historical events, making them tangible for children who are developing their own sense of identity and global citizenship.
