Reviews

Watch Me: A Story of Immigration and Inspiration by Joe Cepeda, Doyin Richards

sunflowerjess's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

5.0

I really like how the author breaks the fourth wall in this book, speaking directly to readers and asking them to notice and reflect on their world. The artwork is gorgeous. 

barbarianlibarian's review against another edition

3.0

didn't work for me and I almost felt like some of the pages of my copy were out of order

allmadhere106's review against another edition

3.0

For: readers looking for a hopeful book about the immigrant experience.

Possible red flags: immigration discussion; prejudice.

hlparis's review against another edition

4.0

A great introduction for kids to the idea of immigration, why people might want to come here and the treatment they may have to endure in the US. Lovely illustrations.

glovb's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.0

The inspiring true story of Joe, an immigrant from Sierra Leone, who persisted against the biases and low expectations others had for him, worked hard, and became a successful doctor. Written by Joe's son, you can see the impact that this father had on the author.

Age-appropriateness: 4-9 yrs.
This book is a great conversation starter about immigration and what it feels like to be in a totally new place. Because of the lower content-heaviness and simple story line, this would work well in a lower elementary classroom as a read aloud.

readingthroughtheages's review against another edition

3.0

There are parts of this story that I liked, but other parts didn't flow (be sure to read the comments by other reviewers who read and reviewed before me, I agree with their thoughts). The middle part of the narrative goes to a few rhyming layouts that stood out in a disjointed way. I did like how some of the points about hard work despite not being welcomed were explicitly stated because I do think conversations need to be explicitly had with readers, but it also was in an interesting place in the middle of a narrative.

heisereads's review against another edition

3.0

The pacing seemed off in this story, and at one point an illustration page seemed to come a spread too late. The narrative style changed a couple of times - sometimes speaking directly to the reader, sometimes not, making it feel disjointed. Overall, it just didn't flow. While it is autobiographical, the implicit message of not being able to achieve his goals and dreams in West Africa makes me wonder about how kids would take this, especially those in Sierra Leone, and how kids not from there would perceive it.

aneumann's review against another edition

3.0

I was able to see the author speak on a panel and he was really wonderful, which is how I got this book.

Like other reviewers said the pacing was a bit odd, it would flow nicely and then not so much.

andrea3's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

5.0

Lovely picture book about being who you are, no matter what. Illustrations are wonderful!!

id_rather_be_reading_'s review against another edition

5.0

I work with Newcomer families. This book called to mind so many conversations I have had with students and their families about the hard choices they made before coming emigrating. I think about the challenges some of my students face as they try to fit in while maintaining the parts of themselves that are most important. Some of my students are just like Joe. I feel certain many of my students would appreciate reading Joe's story and feel inspired by how things worked out for him. I like the title "Watch Me"...it's a challenge to naysayers. I encourage my students to push back against negativity and to ground themselves in their beliefs and in the support they receive from their families, friends and communities. This is a really sweet, short book about perseverance and making your own dreams come true.