Celebrating the American Experience Through YA Diverse Texts by Roy Jackson
All of this means that July 4th is a perfect time to reflect upon what it means to be an American and provide our students rich literary experiences through a diverse set of books that could be utilized in our classrooms. And while most teachers are not in a classroom around July 4th, the examination of the American experience and what it means to be a citizen in this country can occur anytime.
"Rez Ball" by Byron Graves explores the life of Tre Brun, a talented basketball player on the Red Lake Reservation in Minnesota. Basketball, or "rez ball," is a cultural touchstone and a source of pride. Tre dreams of leading his team to the state championship, representing hope and unity for his community. Tre navigates the basketball season, grappling with identity and community expectations. Reservation life includes poverty, addiction, and limited opportunities, balancing these with his aspirations. Tre’s relationships with his coach, teammates, family, and friends highlight loyalty, resilience, and community spirit. |
"Come Home, Indio" by Jim Terry is a graphic memoir that tells the story of the author's journey of self-discovery and healing as a Native American. The memoir explores themes of identity, addiction, and cultural heritage. Jim Terry, a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, chronicles his life from his childhood to adulthood. Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, he feels disconnected from his Native American roots. His upbringing is marked by a sense of not fully belonging to either the Native American or the predominantly white communities around him. As he navigates his teenage years, Jim grapples with identity issues and the challenges of fitting in. He turns to alcohol and drugs as a means of coping with his feelings of alienation and pain. His addiction spirals out of control, leading to destructive behaviors and strained relationships with his family and friends. |
"Call Me American" by Abdi Nor Iftin is a memoir tracing Abdi's journey from war-torn Somalia to the United States. Growing up amidst the chaos and violence of civil war, Abdi found solace in American movies and music. His admiration for America grew as conditions in Somalia worsened. Escaping to Kenya as a refugee, he faced hardships but won the Diversity Visa Lottery, allowing him to immigrate to the U.S. In America, Abdi faced culture shock, homesickness, and complex new challenges. |
"I Was Their American Dream" by Malaka Gharib is a graphic memoir exploring identity, family, and the immigrant experience. Malaka, born to Filipino and Egyptian parents, navigates her multicultural heritage while growing up in California. She balances her parents' high expectations with fitting in with American peers, dealing with stereotypes and cultural expectations. Malaka’s parents, who met and fell in love in the United States, bring their distinct cultural backgrounds into her upbringing. Her father, a Muslim Egyptian, and her mother, a Catholic Filipino, instill in her a blend of traditions and values. Malaka grapples with the pressure to meet their high expectations while trying to fit in with her American peers. This duality often leaves her feeling torn between two worlds. Her experiences at school highlight the struggle of balancing these influences, dealing with stereotypes, and facing questions about her background. Through self-discovery and acceptance, she learns to appreciate her unique identity, blending the rich heritage of her parents with her American experiences. |
"Messy Roots: A Graphic Memoir of a Wuhanese-American" by Laura Gao shares her journey from Wuhan, China, to the U.S. Settling in Texas, Laura faces alienation and pressure to assimilate. She deals with stereotypes, racism, and fitting in while holding onto her cultural roots. The memoir captures her struggles, balancing heritage and acceptance. Laura's self-discovery involves reconnecting with her Wuhanese roots and appreciating her cultural background. The COVID-19 pandemic impacts her identity and heritage perception, adding challenges and solidarity with her roots. "Messy Roots" celebrates diversity and the immigrant experience, highlighting cultural pride and resilience. |
"Gold Diggers" by Sanjena Sathian is a contemporary novel that combines magical realism, a coming-of-age story, and a heist plot to explore themes of ambition, identity, and the immigrant experience in America. Set mainly in Hammond Creek, Georgia, it follows Neil Narayan, a young Indian-American teenager struggling with his identity amidst his family's high expectations. Neil's life changes when he discovers that his neighbor and childhood crush, Anita Dayal, and her family have a potion made from stolen gold. This magical elixir, often made from jewelry stolen from other Indian-American families, enhances ambition and focus. The potion helps Anita secure a place at an Ivy League school, while Neil grapples with the ethical dilemmas of their secret. The story takes a tragic turn when a fatal accident, indirectly caused by the potion, leaves Anita’s brother, Raj, in a coma, casting a long shadow over their lives. Years later, Neil and Anita reconnect in Silicon Valley, haunted by their past actions and attempting to reconcile their ambitions with their moral compass. Neil becomes involved in a scheme to steal more gold, hoping for clarity and redemption. |
"American Street" by Ibi Zoboi is a powerful novel that explores themes of immigration, identity, and belonging through Fabiola Toussaint, a Haitian teenager. The story begins with Fabiola and her mother arriving in the U.S., but her mother is detained by immigration authorities. Alone, Fabiola goes to Detroit to live with her aunt and cousins. Her new life in Detroit is far from her expectations. Her Aunt Jo has her own secrets, and her cousins—Chantal, Donna, and Pri—each have distinct personalities and coping mechanisms. Fabiola clings to her Haitian roots and Vodou beliefs, which become a source of strength as she navigates the dangerous world of urban Detroit. Fabiola falls in love with Kasim, adding complexity and danger to her life due to his connection to Donna’s abusive boyfriend and local drug dealer, Dray. To reunite with her mother, Fabiola cooperates with the police to bring down Dray, placing her family in danger. This leads to a dramatic and tragic confrontation, forcing Fabiola to confront the harsh realities of her new life. |