Published: 2020
Editor: Adi Alsaid
Genre: YA Nonfiction / Anthology / Social Issues
Audience: Grades 9–12, Adult
Number of Stars: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Goodreads Link: Come On In
Themes: Racism, Bullying, Isolation, Identity, Mental Health.
Publisher’s Summary
This exceptional and powerful anthology explores the joys, heartbreaks and triumphs of immigration, with stories by bestselling and beloved YA authors who are themselves immigrants and the children of immigrants.
WELCOME
From some of the most exciting bestselling and up-and-coming YA authors writing today…journey from Ecuador to New York City and Argentina to Utah, from Australia to Harlem and India to New Jersey, from Fiji, America, Mexico and more… Come On In.
With characters who face random traffic stops, TSA detention, customs anxiety, and the daunting and inspiring journey to new lands, who camp with their extended families, dance at weddings, keep diaries, teach ESL, give up their rooms for displaced family, decide their own answer to the question “where are you from?” and so much more, Come On In illuminates fifteen of the myriad facets of the immigrant experience.
Review
This is an excellent resource for teachers. The anthology, Come On In edited by Adi Alsaid, features fifteen stories, each from a different person who came to the U.S. from a different country. While the origins differ, the experiences often mirror one another, revealing the universal plight of the immigrant. Reoccurring topics across the collection include loneliness, isolation, the struggle to find a voice, and a deep sense of desperation and desire.
The stories are written by teens for teens (or at least geared specifically toward that age group), featuring high school drama, family dynamics, and a level of authenticity and humor that students will latch onto. The writing style is accessible and engaging, making it approachable for a wide range of readers, including reluctant readers. These narratives are reflective of the struggles many immigrants face every day in our country. By reading these stories, students can gain empathy and a better understanding of what their peers, especially recent arrivals to the U.S., are going through. It is a powerful tool for building a more inclusive and compassionate classroom environment.
📊 Understanding Immigration Trends in the U.S.
To provide context for the stories in Come On In, it is helpful to look at the demographics of the immigrant population in the United States. As of the most recent comprehensive data:
- Total Population: There are approximately 45.3 million immigrants living in the U.S., accounting for about 13.7% of the total population.
- Regional Origins:
- Mexico: 24% of the immigrant population.
- India: 6%
- China: 5%
- Philippines: 4%
- Student Demographics: Roughly 1 in 4 children in the U.S. (approx. 18 million) live in a household with at least one immigrant parent.
The anxiety characters feel during TSA detention or customs, as described in the book, is backed by data showing that non-citizens and naturalized citizens are significantly more likely to undergo secondary screening at borders, highlighting the “customs anxiety” featured in Alsaid’s anthology.
🎒 Classroom & Curricular Connections
- ELA (Anthology & Voice):
- Activity Idea: “The Six-Story Deep Dive.” The reviewer identified six stories that specifically mirrored their students. Have students select one story from the collection and write a “Character Mirror” essay, identifying three specific ways the character’s high school experience reflects their own, despite different cultural backgrounds.
- Social Studies (Human Geography):
- Activity Idea: Map the Journeys. Using the locations mentioned (Ecuador, Argentina, India, Fiji, etc.), have students map the migration routes described in the book. Research the “push and pull” factors that led to migration from those specific countries during the years these authors were writing.
- Civics & Law (TSA and Rights):
- Activity Idea: Several stories mention traffic stops and TSA detention. Conduct a lesson on “Know Your Rights” regarding searches and seizures. Discuss the legal differences between a citizen, a green card holder, and a non-immigrant visa holder in these situations.
- SEL (Building Empathy):
- Activity Idea: “Where are you from?” Discussion. The book asks characters to define their own answer to this question. Have students write a “Bio-Poem” that answers this question without using a geographic location (e.g., “I am from Sunday dinners and loud music” rather than “I am from New York”).
