A Book About Being a Newcomer, Refugee or Immigrant: Staff Picks for the 2019 Reading Challenge
Are you participating in our reading challenge? So are library staff all across the city. These are some of their recommendations for the category "A book about being a newcomer, refugee or immigrant".
Amy's recommendation:
The Test by Sylain Neuvel
Why did Amy pick it?
It's a sci-fi novel set in the not-too-distant future in Great Britain. Told from the perspective of an immigrant sitting the British Citizenship Test. It feels very much like watching an episode of Black Mirror/The Twilight Zone/The Outer Limits, and I can't say too much more without spoilers. I recommend it to anyone into any of those shows and, at a very short length (108 pages) it's low-commitment!
What other categories can you use it for?
- A book from a Canadian award-winning author
CL's recommendation:
The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
Why did CL pick it?
Admittedly, this novel does seem a bit outdated and melodramatic in some parts, but it packed a wallop at the time. It is about Lithuanian immigrants in Chicago, but the focus is more on employer transgressions in the workplace, specifically in the meat-packing industry. If it didn't turn off thousands of Americans from eating meat or help advance the cause of Socialism, at the very least it helped improve health and safety conditions in slaughterhouses.
Anna's recommendations:
Vietnamerica: A Family's Journey by G. B. Tran
Why did Anna pick it?
An amazing graphic novel told by a second generation Vietnamese American who gradually discovers and learns to appreciate his family's convoluted history (reaching as far back as 1950s in Vietnam to the modern times in the United States after his parents and older siblings fled Saigon in the very last moment before the North Vietnam army takes over). Especially poignant parts where parents see their children choose the new country ways of life on every possible step abandoning their old country's culture and traditions.
What other categories can you use it for?
- A graphic novel
- A book by an author in a visible minority
Giant by Aga Maksimowska
Why did Anna pick it?
Another book about immigrants (and this time making their new home in no other place but our own Toronto) is "Giant" by Aga Maksimowska. This captivating story reads like an autobiography (the author based her characters on her own family) and follows the main character - the title's Giant (a early bloomer 11-year-old who arrives to Toronto "for a visit" only to learn that her move is actually permanent). the experience of immigration through eyes of a child. fascinating!
Other categories you can use it for:
- A book set in Toronto
Elsa's recommendations:
Elsa is the Senior Services Specialist for Toronto Public Library's Multicultural Services. Not surprisingly, she has a lot of suggestions:
The Boat People by Sharon Bala
Why did Elsa pick it?
Inspired by a true event, Bala captures the anxiety and helplessness experienced by refugees.
What other categories can you use it for?
- A book from a Canadian award-winning author
- A book by an author in a visible minority
Scarborough by Catherine Hernandez
Why did Elsa pick it?
Hernandez weaves an intricate story filled with different voices reflecting the realities and the struggles of those living in Toronto.
What other categories can you use it for?
- A book from a Canadian award-winning author
- A book set in Toronto
- A book by an author in a visible minority
- A book by an LGBTQ+ author
The Clothesline Swing by Ahmad Danny Ramadan
Why did Elsa pick it?
Written by a Syrian newcomer who resettled in Vancouver, Canada, it's a bittersweet story about two lovers who left Syria and are growing old in their new home, Canada.
What other categories can you use it for?
- A book by a Canadian award-winning author
- A book by an author in a visible minority
- A book by an LGBTQ+ author
Vi by Kim Thúy
Why did Elsa pick it?
The Vietnam War turned Vi and her family's world upside down so she escaped with her mom and brothers to begin a new life in Canada.
What other categories can you use it for?
- A book in translation
- A book by an author in a visible minority
- A book from a Canadian award-winning author
The Woo-Woo: How I Survived Ice Hockey, Drug Raids, Demons, and My Crazy Chinese Family by Lindsay Wong
Why did Elsa pick it?
Wong's memoir on growing up in a Chinese immigrant family in Vancouver. When it was nominated for Canada Reads, the book generated an imporant debate about mental health and immigrant families.
What other categories can you use it for?
- A book by an author in a visible minority
- A book about mental health
More suggestions from Elsa:
- Sea Prayer by Khaled Hosseini and illustrated by Dan Williams.
- My Journey by Olivia Chow
- Belonging: the Paradox of Citizenship by Adrienne Clarkson
- Flight and Freedom: Stories of Escape to Canada by Ratna Omidvar
- How to be a Bawse: A Guide to Conquering Life by Lilly Singh
- Kim's Convenience by Ins Choi
Emily's recommendations:
Emily has worked as a Community Librarian in refugee shelters. Like Elsa, she has lots of great suggestions, especially for teens and children:
Teen Fiction:
- Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree by Adaobi Nwaubani
- City of Saints and Thieves by Natalie C Anderson
- The Good Braider by Terry Farish
- Out of Nowhere by Maria Padian
Children's fiction:
- Drita, My Homegirl by Jenny Lombard
- Kiki and Jacques by Susan L Ross
- The Only Road by Alexandria Diaz
- The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani
- The Red Pencil by Andrea David Pinkney
- Shooting Kabul by NH Senzai
- Escape from Aleppo by NH Senzai
- A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park
- I Lived on Butterfly Hill by Marjorie Agosin
Picturebooks/Advanced Picture Books
- Dreamers by Yuyi Morales (gorgeous artwork)
- Marwan's Journey by Patricia de Arias
- The Long Road by Luis Garay
- The Journey by Francesca Sanna
- My Two Blankets by Irena Kobald
- My Name is Not Refugee by Kate Milner
- Manuelito by Elisa Amado (children's graphic novel)
Recommendations from the Facebook Discussion Group
Here are just some of the picks from our Facebook discussion group. Visit the group to see the full list!
- The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui
- Cockroach by Rawi Hage
- Dear America: the Notes of an Undocumented Citizen by Jose Antonio Vargas
- Exit West by Mohsin Hamid
- A Fair Country: Telling Truths about Canada by John Ralston Saul
- Fatherland by Nina Bunjevac
- Life Class by Ann Charney
- No New Land by M. G. Vassanji
- Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
- The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. Eliza notes: as it is about refugees from one part of the United States to another during the "dust bowl". As such the main characters endure prejudice and stereotyping as they are fighting poverty and looking for honest work. I'm not sure if this book qualifies for this category, kind of think it does though.
We recently heard from some Reading Challenge participants that they've already completed both parts of the challenge – amazing! So for those interested, we've opened our online entry form for the year-end prize draw. Read more about it on the main Reading Challenge webpage.
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