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78th out of 82 books
—
48 voters
The New Kids: Big Dreams and Brave Journeys at a High School for Immigrant Teens
Some walked across deserts and mountains to get here. Others flew in on planes. One arrived after escaping in a suitcase. And some won’t say how they got here.These are “the new kids”: new to America and all the routines and rituals of an American high school, from lonely first days to prom.They attend International High School at Prospect Heights in Brooklyn, which is lik...more
Hardcover, 320 pages
Published
September 20th 2011
by Free Press
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The New Kids was chosen as one of the Alex Award books this year (adult books that have teen appeal), and so it came to my attention as I was putting together a bibliography. Imagine a high school with teachers and students from all over the world, who have come together to learn English and all about American culture. Many of these teens are undocumented (i.e. “illegally” living in the States), and some have come from truly horrible circumstances back in their own countries (wars, refugee camps...more
Very readable and appealing. It gives a some insight into the lives of immigrant teens in New York. It is written in a style so much like a novel that at times I had to wonder to what extent the author had nudged her story to fit a narrative form, and in the act of doing that, perhaps wandered a bit from the real truth.
It was like reading a story by Tracy Kidder as Told to Maeve Binchy. It had that kind of sunny "everything will turn out all right in the end for everyone" feel that Binchy's lat...more
It was like reading a story by Tracy Kidder as Told to Maeve Binchy. It had that kind of sunny "everything will turn out all right in the end for everyone" feel that Binchy's lat...more
As an educator, it is hard not to get flummoxed by the inequalities one sees or at the apathy most teachers cloak themselves in when the slow pace of change has worn them down. Then a book like this comes along and reminds me that there are SO MANY WAYS to overcome adversity, that there is so much left to be hopeful for, to appreciate what I DO have. If I do start feeling like the above, I either go out and remind myself again why I'm an educator or I get out of education. Students are the focus...more
Absolutely a fantastic non-fiction book. I rarely read non-fiction but
Brooke Hauser writes a non-fiction book that brought tears to my eyes
and pride for a profession that is so often belittled and certainly
one that is underpaid. The teachers in this book are caring people who
do everything in their power to help their students succeed. Although
I have never met these teachers personally, I have met many teachers just like
them throughout my 34 year teaching career. I have also met students who
will...more
Brooke Hauser writes a non-fiction book that brought tears to my eyes
and pride for a profession that is so often belittled and certainly
one that is underpaid. The teachers in this book are caring people who
do everything in their power to help their students succeed. Although
I have never met these teachers personally, I have met many teachers just like
them throughout my 34 year teaching career. I have also met students who
will...more
This book made me appreciate the education I have been blessed with, and it made me appreciate that I am a citizen of the U.S. I was amazed at the immigrant students' stories and by what some of them went through to get here so they could have their crack at the American dream. It makes me even more excited about my goal of obtaining a TESOL certificate and working with students in culturally diverse situations. I also have more empathy for immigrants even if they are not in our country legally....more
Nov 06, 2011
Erica
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Shelves:
growing-up,
life-in-school,
men-and-boys,
non-fiction,
survival,
travel,
women-and-girls,
teen-pregnancy,
unengaging
I'm about halfway through the book right now and I find myself torn - I love the concept and the student stories are incredible. However, the writing does not display the students or the school in the most compelling fashion. It's as if the book is written somewhere between journalism (not surprising considering the author's background) and fiction and it fails to engage me. I find the author to be too biased and she takes too many liberties with her subjects; how can she know what they were thi...more
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The book New Kids provides the reader with a look at the struggles recent high school age immigrants face growing up in America. The book centers around a public high school in Brooklyn for immigrant teens. It is a story about poor to middle class teens who often lack necessary parental support and guidance. Brooke Hauser, the author, focuses on the high school providing glimpses of the teachers and students. The reader is left with wanting more, more about both the teachers and what struggles t...more
This book follows a group of students who attend a high school in New York that is specifically desgined to help students who either themselves or their parents (or both) are not United States citizens.
Many of the students in the book were brought here at a young age and have worked hard to try to overcome language and cultural barries as they attempt to thrive and have a chance at a better life. Others in the book were examples of how easy it is for the children of undocumented people to just...more
Many of the students in the book were brought here at a young age and have worked hard to try to overcome language and cultural barries as they attempt to thrive and have a chance at a better life. Others in the book were examples of how easy it is for the children of undocumented people to just...more
I liked that this book was filled with the true stories of many immigrant teens who each attend an international high school in NYC. Many of the stories were fascinating. The author was very descriptive in many aspects (overly descriptive - maybe???? - because I kept drifting off whenever she would start a new chapter and I could practically skip the beginnings of each to get to the stories that were so compelling of the students) I was a little bothered at how the teachers were portrayed. They...more
Just a few pages into this book, I was completely hooked. The stories are fascinating and prove once again, à la Anne Fadiman or Tracy Kidder, that nonfiction can be just as riveting as fiction. The reader is constantly going back and forth between reliving moments of his/her own high school experiences -- flirting, trying desperately to fit in, walking through noisy hallways and using bathrooms covered in graffiti -- and being amazed at what these kids have lived through. Hauser doesn't just sc...more
First...the audio was a little tricky to follow at first because there are so many names, but it's still a really fascinating look at one year at the International High School @ Prospect Heights. I believe Hauser followed students and teachers from 2008-2009 and since then, several classes have left the IHS. I'd love to find out what happened to the students since. Where's Yasmeen? Is she still in school? Is Jessica still trying to just be friends with Harold? Did Mohammed graduate and go to col...more
As a high school ESL teacher, none of the information in Hauser's book was new. That being said, I identified with so many of the stories and felt the author did a great job of really fleshing out what high school is like for so many students. The teachers have great passion but get frustrated, worry about the future, and sometimes don't always get it right - a realistic description that I appreciated. The students themselves are multifaceted characters, having been through struggles yet also ob...more
The author of this book followed a number of students and teachers through a year at International High School in Brooklyn. International is a unique school in that all the students enrolled there are recent emigrants with limited to no English language skills. I went into it expecting to read something slightly different. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the cover on it being used to promote purchase of the book indicated that it was along the same lines as the book "There are...more
This book vividly demonstrates that immigrant teens face a number of challenges when they arrive in the US, but also that they are still affected by the same issues that American teens deal with every day. Some of the teens highlighted in this book have stories that would shock you: years in refugee camps, harassment by child soldiers, dangerous border crossings, and loss of family members. Many arrive with little formal education or knowledge of the English language, but have a strong desire to...more
I found this on a reading list, thinking Lexie may enjoy it. There were a number of shocking stories (e.g. boy escapes his country by spending 24 hours folded up in a suitcase). Overall, I think I did develop a better appreciation for the challenges facing non-english speaking immigrant teens. But the book's structure and writing style was difficult for me. The author regularly mentioned specific people. This person said this. This person thought that. There were so many names that I couldn't re...more
The things people go through can sometimes amaze and horrify me. In this book about kids at an International High School in New York (for immigrant teens who need to learn English and need some cultural guidance) the stories are almost brutal: crossing the Himalayas on foot in the middle of winter, spending years in a refugee camp, being held at gunpoint by police, entering the United States on a temporary travel visa but overstaying the visa because going back home is unimaginable, etc. We get...more
Wow! This book is my job on steroids. I work with ELLs, but not at a school full of them like the International High School at Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY. The writer follows several teens at the school and tells us their stories, going back to their home countries and telling about their journeys to the U.S. The diversity in New York means there are some in-cred-ible (as in unbelievable) stories of how the students even got to New York, like Ngawang's story of leaving Nepal for India hidden for...more
This book follows the progress and shares the histiories of immigrant students at the International High School at Prospect Heights in Brooklyn in a highly readable book. I could only admire these teens, new to the USA and to the English language, and their dedicated teachers and school administrators. While their stories are often difficult, the author finds the humor in the struggles and posturing that is common to teens while sharing the challenges and hardships that they face. Overall, a wel...more
True and absolutely astonishing stories told with just the right pitch. Rather than focusing on sympathizing with the kids, the author missed no opportunity to applaud the kids for their courage. What a positive story-telling!
I've always admired the international students in my classes who actually come from more fortunate families, but the challenges for them are no less. Their attitudes are equally admirable. A book I couldn't have related more to....
I've always admired the international students in my classes who actually come from more fortunate families, but the challenges for them are no less. Their attitudes are equally admirable. A book I couldn't have related more to....
I didn't like this book as much as I thought I would. I did enjoy the stories of the different students as they came to the States, and their transition into an American high school. I would have enjoyed this more if it had been told from the perspective of one of the teachers or had been given more continuity. Also, I don't really think this is a book that teens would enjoy. The other award-winning book about immigrants would likely appeal more to teens, as the stories are considerably shorter...more
Approp for YA and adults alike. Follows five kids through a year at the International High School in Brooklyn. These children's stories are amazing. They have already lived whole lives as farmers, street sellers in Tibet, Mexico, Sierra Leone, and China before they came to the US. Some came smuggled in suitcases, some walked across deserts and all have an engaging story to tell.
Excellent book discussion choice.
Excellent book discussion choice.
It did not take me long to finish this book. Hauser draws you in by letting you get to know each character, as she surely got to know them when she spent time in this New York school. I felt reminded of both the history and future of our country, as Hauser illumninated both the melting pot where we live, and the challenges, gifts and triumphs of those who travel from afar to be here. Anyone who appreciates history, biography, or a great story would enjoy this book.
Really good book, about immigrants and what they go through in America, and how it is difficult for them to get an education, and how it's hard for those who are undocumented. Told true stories of teenagers who went to this school. Very engaging, and interesting stories. I really enjoyed reading the book. Gave me another perspective into the lives of teenagers living in America from other countries.
This was a very interesting look into an International high school in NYC. It followed a handful of seniors from many different areas of the world through their final year and really made me think about undocumented students. (I won't be saying "illegal" students anymore). Some stories made me think hard about the kids that come through my classroom every day. It was very easy to read and the afterward was very enjoyable.
Good read! My favorite moment is when the teacher explains that even though these students have lived and are living through tremendous earth shattering experiences they are still teenagers. With the same emotions and concerns no matter where they come from. Well written. You could tell that the author cares about the school, teachers, the students and education.
Oct 24, 2011
Thorn MotherIssues
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
read-2011,
adoption-reading-challenge
Counting this for the Adoption Reading Challenge because there's a subplot about whether a teacher will file for custody of one of her students, who has living family in another poor country but is alone in the US. The section on how he got to the US and how to apply The Prodigal Son story to manipulative teenagers in some contexts was very moving to me.
I really liked this one. There IS some language in it, from the kids. But this well-done nonfiction tracking several immigrant teens in a school in New York City is marvelously engaging, and heartbreaking. I cried like a baby at the graduation scene. These were some amazing kids, and some pretty terrific teachers.
Not an easy non-fiction read. I found the narrative a bit confusing at times although inspiring. It's a great companion piece for "Girl in Translation" and "A Step from Heaven". I found myself constantly reaching for the tissue box. These teachers and students are amazing....
I was really interested in reading this book to see how children who move to America from other countries view their current lives. However, this book is from the viewpoint of an outside observer describing some of the people and things that happen throughout the day. I was kind of sad to find that out because I think no matter how much you can observe someone you can't really know their viewpoints and whether they think you are helping them unless you ask.
Jan 21, 2013
Lynne
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
audiobooks,
general-non-fiction
I preferred this toJust Like Us: The True Story of Four Mexican Girls Coming of Age in America
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