I Am An American: The Wong Kim Ark Story

I Am An American: The Wong Kim Ark Story by Martha Brockenbrough with Grace Lin and illustrated by Julia Kuo

Today, almost any night, you can turn on the evening news and see people complaining about immigrants coming to our country.  Too many people from the East.  Too many people coming from the South.  Too many people coming from the West.  You might think this is a new concern for our country.  But...it's not...this has been a concern since the Pilgrims stepped off the Mayflower onto Plymouth Rock.  Anytime a group of people feels settled/comfortable and then a new group moves into town, some people feel nervous...but they don't feel nervous for any good reason they can explain.  Some people just don't like anything that's new and different.  This is what happened to Wong Kim Ark.  Wong Kim Ark was born in San Francisco, California in 1873.  He was born to Chinese immigrants who were NOT American citizens.  Life was not easy for Chinese residents in California.  They weren't trusted by residents of European descent and they were treated like second class citizens.  Wong Kim Ark grew up used to these challenges but what he didn't expect was the challenge that was to come.  When Wong Kim Ark was a young man he left California to visit family in China.  But, when he tried to return home he was prevented from entering California.  He was told he was NOT an American.  It didn't matter if he was born here.  Wong Kim Ark decided go to court to prove he was an American and he belonged in California.  This is not only a good book, it is an important book for children to hear.  Children need to know everyone should feel welcomed in America and if you are born here then you belong here and where you family comes from shouldn't determine how you are treated.  To learn more about Wong Kim Ark and what he and other people of Chinese descent experienced in America at this time please visit the following websites with an adult.

• American Experience
• New York Historical Society
• Chinese Historical Society of America  (There is a small fee if you want to "visit" the virtual exhibit but the rest of the website has good/interesting information and appears to be free.)
• Immigration History
• Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation