Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
challenging
reflective
sad
medium-paced
I love this extremely well-written memoir of a young girl’s life in America as an undocumented immigrant. Books that make me feel strongly and increase my understanding and empathy for others are my favorite to read. And this book certainly does both. The author is so fearless and honest in sharing her experiences and history. Don’t miss this one.
emotional
medium-paced
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
This was eye opening. It’s so great to have stories about immigrants BY immigrants. This story resonated so much more for me because it was her experience. Seeing the focus on "being American" from her family. How demoralizing it was for her mother. How her dad just lost himself. It was all so sad. It’s also sad to see how shitty Americans can be to people that come here for a better life.
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
This is a memoir everyone should be reading during times like this in America (2025). This story beautifully shows the suffering, and joy, of immigrating “illegally” to America through the lens of a child in the 1990s. Watching the childlike ease harden into constant fear and anxiety way too young is very eye opening to those who’ve never experienced this. It unfortunate that many people still experience the same feats of racism and poverty while immigrating to America but I hope that this story opens up people to become empathetic.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
I loved this book. Qian recounts her childhood growing up in a poor immigrant household. A story all too common. Additionally, Qian faces racism and the constant threat of deportation. Qian’s story is powerful and excellently written.
audiobook - 4.5 stars - this was a very beautiful immigrant story, presented in a wide array of emotions & experiences. i hope that this author will write more about her life, especially her time in Canada. she also does a beautiful job of narrating the audiobook.
Eye opening look into a struggle to grow up in this beautiful country.