Published: 2019
Author/Illustrator: Malaka Gharib
Genre: YA Graphic Memoir, Nonfiction
Audience: Grades 6–12 (Recommended for Middle School & Early High School)
Number of Stars: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Goodreads Link: I Was Their American Dream
Content Warnings: Minor use of derogatory slang for minorities (in the context of microaggressions), mentions of alcohol and sex, and queer relationships.
Publisher’s Summary
One part Mari Andrew, one part Marjane Satrapi, I Was Their American Dream: A Graphic Memoir is a triumphant tale of self-discovery, a celebration of a family’s rich heritage, and a love letter to American immigrant freedom. Malaka Gharib’s illustrations come alive with teenage antics and earnest questions about identity and culture, while providing thoughtful insight into the lives of modern immigrants and the generation of millennial children they raised.
Malaka’s upbringing will look familiar to anyone who grew up in the pre-internet era, but her particular story is a heartfelt tribute to the American immigrants who have invested their future in the promise of the American dream. The daughter of parents with unfulfilled dreams themselves, Malaka navigates her childhood chasing her parents’ ideals, learning to code-switch between her family’s Filipino and Egyptian customs, adapting to white culture to fit in, crushing on skater boys, and trying to understand the tension between holding onto cultural values and trying to be an all-American kid. I Was Their American Dream is at once a journal of growing up and a reminder of the thousands of immigrants who come to America in search for a better life for themselves and their children.
Review
This was a good book, just not what I was hoping for. By that, I mean that it wasn’t “deep” enough for me to defend adding it to the high school curriculum. That said, it is perfect for an upper elementary or middle school curriculum. The main character, Malaka, is very endearing and funny. She is super relatable in her actions and thoughts; the reader can truly feel her frustrations and desires. I love that the story involves interactive pages intended to be cut out and used: recipes, flashcards, zines, and a Bingo game. I really like the Bingo game because it can function as a wonderful way to teach a lesson about microaggressions.
This is a concept many students don’t recognize they witness around them. I find this book perfect for introducing young readers to other cultures—Egyptian/Muslim and Filipino/Catholic and American—as it shows the struggles of a young girl trapped within all three of these cultures. It teaches the lesson of treating others with kindness and acceptance in a way that feels natural and engaging.
🧬 Navigating a “Third Culture” Identity
The book serves as a perfect case study for students navigating multiple identities. Malaka lives in what sociologists often call the “Third Culture”—the space between her parents’ cultures and the culture where she is currently living.
Key Concepts Explored:
- Code-Switching: The practice of alternating between two or more languages or varieties of language in conversation depending on the social context.
- Microaggressions: Subtle, everyday slights or insults directed toward marginalized groups.
- Generational Expectations: The pressure felt by children of immigrants to succeed as a “thank you” for their parents’ sacrifices.
🎒 Classroom & Curricular Connections
- ELA (Graphic Memoir): Analyze how the “interactive” elements (Bingo, recipes) change the relationship between the reader and the author.
- Activity Idea: Have students create their own “Culture Zine” or a page of their own “Identity Bingo” based on their family traditions or school experiences.
- Social Studies (Modern Immigration):
- Activity Idea: Discuss the 21st-century “American Dream.” How does Malaka’s experience differ from historical immigrant narratives?
- SEL (Identity and Microaggressions):
- Activity Idea: Use the “Microaggression Bingo” from the book to start a safe, facilitated discussion about “intent vs. impact.” What are common things people say that might be hurtful without them realizing it?
- Health/Nutrition (Global Food): * Activity Idea: Try one of the recipes included in the book (like Filipino adobo or Egyptian koshary). Discuss how food acts as a bridge between generations and cultures.
