Coming to America: A Muslim Family's Story

by Bernard Wolf

After four years of hard work and frugal living in New York, Hassan Mahmoud can afford to bring his family from Egypt to live with him. This close-knit family adapts to American life while staying true to their Muslim beliefs and Egyptian customs. Intimate and charming scenes of daily life are recounted -- preparing family meals, visiting a mosque in Manhattan, discovering the joys of snow. Through captivating color photographs and engaging text, this thoughtful book helps young readers understand Muslims as individuals and families.

Genres: Picture Books, Immigration, Nonfiction, Family, Childrens

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

See Bernard M. Wolf for the economist

Reviews

[Janine Darragh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this true story with photos of a Muslim family's experience as immigrants to NY from Egypt. I thought the book did a nice job of emphasizing similarities between cultures, while still highlighting unique cultural differences (E.g. special food treats for celebrations like graduation- but food choices might be different, etc.) Especially relevant today.

[Gianna Whitlow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this true story about a Muslim family from Egypt. The true story describes the Mahmpud family
From Alexandria, Egypt and how and why they assimilated into America. Hassan(the father), Soad (the mother), Amr (eldest brother), Dina (middle sister), and Rowan (youngest sister).
The family moved to America due to monetary issues. They moved to Queens, NY in multiethnic neighborhood. All the kids describe school being different because in Egypt there was physical repercussions. While in America the teachers are friendly and helpful.
Soad is portrayed cooking large Egyptian meals. Also, the book mentions that the family can only eat halal meat because the blood is completely drained off. And due to their religion they so not eat pork.
The story of Mahmoud family gives key details about being Muslim because that is the religion that the family practices. Friday is their holy day. The family will go down to their Mosque where there are no statues or paintings because the faith states that praising anyone but Allah(their God) is incorrect. Each person is supposed to pray five times a day on a pray may facing the city of Mecca. Mecca is where Muhammad the prophet who wrote the Qur'an, Islam's holy book, was born. A child doesn't have to pray five times a day until they turn ten years old. Men and women pray separately so that men are not tempted by women's beauty during prayer. Also women wear head dresses out in public and in front of other men as a sign of modesty.
I really enjoyed this book because it portrayed the Muslim faith in a very positive light. There seemed to be no prejudices or biases throughout the book. I really felt as if I knew the Mahmoud family by the time I finished this book. It also helped that throughout the book the illustrations were real live photographs of the family and their friends.
I would assign this book to my students to learn about different cultures that are not their own.

[Jenny Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this story of a Muslim family’s move to America the audience is given a detailed description of what life was like. How the father came to America some years before his wife and three children. The story illuminates the struggles the family faced as they adjusted to their life in America. The family had to deal with fitting into a new culture and deal with missing their own Egyptian culture. As the story unveils the children do well in school and it prompts the mother to go to a community college to take English classes. The story ends with a realization of how proud the parents are of their children.

This book provides a true story of one family and their move to America from Egypt. The book displays the hardships that were undertaken and the many struggles the family faces. The book shows real photographs for children to relate to. Upon reading this book I am reminded that each immigration story is as unique as the person coming to America.

This is a biography of a Muslim family and their move to America. Non-fiction.

[James Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Literature of international value, a photographic story of a foreign family that comes to America to live. The story portrays the Muslim family adapting to American life, while maintaining the native traditions and culture inside and outside their home. Americans and Muslims are as different as night and day in many ways, yet the common ground between them is the rights and livelihoods of life which America provides for its citizens.
The story shows the values of family life that are similar to every household regardless of culture, working toward a career, gaining an education, and worshiping the religion of your choice. The illustrator makes use of photographic story-telling with clear images of the Mahmond Family, the still-life portraits captures the emotions and character of the family. The story demonstrates that good people come in all colors, races, nationalities, and religions. An excellent book for cultural and mutlicultural children and adults to read for a closer look at people different from themselves.

[Lora · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was assigned to read this for my multicultural children's lit class. It tells the story of a Muslim family who has moved to America from Egypt. The photographs really make the book more personal. It was written at the perfect level for children. It can be used as a great tool for introducing the Muslim culture and how difficult is it when moving to America for a better life.

I don't think it is a book to read for pleasure. Even though it is entertaining it definitely reads like a nonfiction book trying to teach the reader.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this true story of an Egyptian family's immigration to America and their adaptation to American life. Their customs were interesting, and the food made my mouth water! This book was written in 2003; I hope Hassan has found a job with better hours by now, so that he can spend more time with his family. Recommended!

[Susan McGilvray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent