Families who loved Ellis Island: Immigration and the American Dream by Felipe Galindo Feggo 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 see a classmate being treated differently due to their accent or background. It serves as a compassionate bridge for discussing how America was built by people from all over the world, emphasizing that the desire for safety and opportunity is a universal human experience. Through the accessible medium of a graphic novel, the book explores the daunting journey through Ellis Island, capturing the nervous wait for medical inspections and the joy of seeing the Statue of Liberty. While the book addresses heavy themes like social exclusion and the fear of deportation, it maintains a core of resilience and hope. It is perfectly suited for middle schoolers (ages 10 to 15) who are developing a more nuanced sense of justice and history. By choosing this book, you are giving your child a visual and emotional map of the immigrant experience, helping them build empathy for those navigating new lives today while honoring the struggles of those who came before.
