One Good Thing About America: Story of a Refugee Girl

by Ruth Freeman

It's always hard to start at a new school . . . and even harder if you're in a new country.

Back home, nine-year-old Anaïs was the best English student in her class, but here in Crazy America it feels like she doesn't know English at all. Nothing makes sense (chicken fingers ?), and the kids at school have some very strange ideas about Africa.

Anaïs misses home. She misses their little house under the mango trees, and the family left behind--Papa and grandmother Oma and big brother Olivier. She worries about the fighting that drove her and Mama and little Jean-Claude to leave.

So she writes letters to Oma and tells her about Halloween, snow, mac 'n' cheese dinners, and princess sleepovers. She tells her all about the weird things Crazy Americans do, and how she just might be turning into a Crazy American herself.

Inspired by the author's work with students learning English, this sweet, often funny middle-grade novel explores differences and common ground across cultures. In contrast to a growing climate of fear and doubt, this story of a refugee child navigating her new life restores hope and reminds us that America is, in fact, a nation of immigrants where we must accept our differences in order to survive--and that's one very good thing.

Genres: Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade, Childrens, Fiction, Family, Historical Fiction, Contemporary

160 pages, Paperback

First published March 21, 2017

About the author

Ruth Freeman's most recent novel, How to Save a Superhero, for 8-12 year olds, is the story of Addie who hangs out at a retirement home waiting for her mother to get off work. The newest resident, Mr. Norris, is a grumpy old guy who, it turns out, could be a real...no, a REAL superhero? Or he could have dementia. Addie discovers that maybe the best way to save a superhero is to help him be the superhero he never was!

Ruth's previous novel was One Good Thing About America, inspired by her work teaching English to students new to the U.S. Previously, she had four nonfiction picture books published, histories of beds, hairstyles, candy and underwear, She grew up outside of Philadelphia and now lives happily in Maine.

Reviews

[Hannah]

Okay, so this had the potential to be both poignant and funny, and it kinda failed. For one thing, the convention of having a book written with the English language learner's level of English is fine, but there are some errors I just don't buy coming from someone who supposedly speaks French, because some misunderstood words didn't really make sense given that cognates are a thing that exist and those should have been the words that were easier for Anais to understand, not harder. Also, Anais may as well be white for most of this book (besides when she talks about her braids) for all that it is dealt with or acknowledged, even though race, religion and refugee status are really complex in the ways they link together. I feel like there is a specific reason that adults are going to like this book, especially white ones (diversity points! Liking An Important Book With An Accepted Type of Narrative About People of Color Makes Me Tolerant), and while it's not really an offensive or harmful book, it's also not critical when it comes to the things it is trying to engage with.

[Piper · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

One Good Thing About America is a bitter-sweet (mostly sweet but a little was bitter) story about 9 year old Anaïs moving from Congo to America. She was the best at English back in Congo but she has trouble at first but gets better. She becomes friends with Jenna, Britney, Ikran, and you can even say Hassan and Januel.

I was so sad when Ikran moved, it was a little bit silly when Anaïs called her a little mama.

I also liked the Character Development between Anaïs and Hassan.

It was also funny how Jenna, Anaïs, and Ikran were trying to set up Mr. Dan and Ms Taylor, but it seemed like it worked out at the end.

[Dotty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated the first person narrative over a stretch of time that revealed the adjustments that must be made by an immigrant in every avenue of life. Navigating language, culture, friends, expectations, longing for home, missing family members, belonging and not belonging and the list goes on and on. Just when Anais thinks she might understand something another new idea/expectation is thrown at her by life. And then there is my own embarrassment at judgements and expectations I put on a person of another culture; humbling to see these situations through the other person's eyes.

[Turrean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anaïs and some of her family have emigrated to the United States; she writes letters to her grandmother to share her experiences as well as to practice her English. Constantly in her thoughts are her father and older brother, whose lives are still in danger in their home country. The story is sweet, though there are definitely flaws.

I appreciated the author’s attempt to tell an accessible story for elementary-aged kids, who will celebrate Anaïs’ successes without worrying about might-have-beens. Making it to America, navigating bureaucracy, and beginning to adapt to American culture are steep hills to climb even without the specter of racism. Perhaps considering her audience, it’s not surprising the author chooses to resolve most situations in a sunny, upbeat manner.

As an adult reader, though, I was constantly on edge at places where the narrative, in the real world, might’ve taken a much darker turn. For example, the little brother is injured in an accident when their mother is momentarily out of the apartment. That’s exactly the kind of incident that anti-immigration forces might capitalize upon, to prove that “these people“ are too feckless to ever truly become a part of American society. When Anaïs thinks she’s invited to a sleepover but no phone call ever comes, I of course assumed the classmate’s mother didn’t want to invite the little African girl. The author never actually explains why the call didn’t come.

There were some hints of what immigrant children face. A jackass at the hospital wonders aloud why Anaïs didn’t “stay in Africa,” and there are mentions of some of the difficulties of shelter life. Anaïs’ mother tries several times to get them out of the shelter and into a real apartment, but is unsuccessful. Other times, very real difficulties are simply not recognized, or are minimized since we see them through the eyes of a young and inexperienced child. For example, when the class is writing “scary stories” for Halloween Anaïs realizes in pretty short order that her real-life experience of having armed soldiers at her house hunting her father is not what her teacher is looking for. She simply imitates what a classmate does and the story moves on. There’s barely a suggestion that such things haunt her.

As an educator, I found the behavior of the school staff the most galling, and that’s where the story loses points. A staff member I assume to be the school counselor makes several missteps, which young readers may not recognize. I was annoyed that Anaïs’ teacher simply calls her by an Americanized name because she can’t pronounce the French. She teachers the class that Kwanzaa is an African holiday, not an African American one. The misunderstanding over the letter “U” was played for laughs, but made me cringe. So did the scene where Anaïs is struggling for a metaphor for “what snow is as white as.” She comes up with “as white as American people.” Damn good time for the teacher to explain that millions and millions of Americans are not white. The teacher just laughs, and invites the rest of the class to laugh too! Cringe. Cringe. Cringe.

I wanted one of three things: for the teacher to grow and change and realize she was wrong to do those things, for another adult to step in and correct Miss Clueless, or for the author to draw our attention to the fact that this behavior was unacceptable even though a nice white lady was doing it. I suppose it’s realistic—classroom teachers have a lot to handle and rarely get extra time or resources to help them with the needs of immigrant children. But there’s barely a hint that the author even disapproves.

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have ever moved and had to start over in a new school or new community or a new job, you can identify with that feeling of uncertainty and trepidation. But, imagine starting over in a new country, because you've had to escape the violence in your country. Imagine living in a shelter among total strangers. Imagine starting a school where the clothes the kids wear are different and itchy, the food they eat is strange....chicken FINGERS???, and the people speak English way too fast.

This is the story of Anais and her mother and brother. They came to America to escape the violence in Congo but had to leave their grandma, older brother, and father behind. Anais tells her story in a series of letters that she writes to her grandma expressing her frustrations, fears, and crazy things about Americans. When her grandma writes back she asks her to stop writing about all the bad things that are happening and that from now on in her letters, she must find "One Good Thing about America" every day and write about them in her letters.

Anais is a very bright girl and thought she understood English until she came to America. She is often frustrated by how she is treated by other kids in school. She doesn't like that things aren't the same as they were in Congo. She is happy they are safe, but she is constantly worrying about her family left behind in Congo.

Since the story is told in letter format from Anais's point of view, it makes it an easy read for middle-grade students. This would make a great classroom read for teachers that have a student from another country in their classroom or school. Children will be able to emphasize with a new student when they hear Anais's struggles with adapting to a new country, school, and culture.

Anais finds she is comforted by her ELL teacher Mrs. Taylor. This teacher offered Anais support and understanding and was able to give her the individual attention she needed to feel safe. Ruth Freeman wrote this book because of her own experiences as an ELL teacher and based Anais on many of the students she has taught over the years. Her story is timely and makes us pause a moment and try to understand those who come to our country and their struggles adapting to our norms.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

One Good Thing About America by Ruth Freeman tells an important story: 9 year old Anais’ experience moving from DRC to a new school in the United States. Anais’ mother and little brother are with her, but her grandmother, father, and brother have not been able to come to the United States.

It’s clear that Freeman has worked with students in similar situations and helped them navigate acclimating into a new culture. Becoming more proficient in English is definitely a focus for Anais and her family, but missing her family, unfamiliar weather, idioms, making friends, culture shock, unaccepting people, etc. are even more challenging than her language struggles.

I’m torn on the writing style of the book. It’s an epistolary novel, told only from Anais’ POV to her Oma who is still living in DRC. Anais references letters and phone calls that she receives back from her Oma, but none of those conversations make it in the book; they are summarized through Anais in her letters back to Oma. Oma wants her to write the letters in English, and she has them translated so she can understand them. Because she is an English Language Learner, Anais writes very simply, and her writing understandably has many errors in her writing. She often repeats the same sentiments (wanting to hear from her father, wanting an apartment, thanking Oma for talking to her on the phone, wondering if her brother’s arm will heal), and those are obviously extremely important concerns in her life, but from my perspective as a reader, I wanted to hear more from her.

I’m also torn on who this novel is really for. In thinking about my students, I absolutely think the messages in there are ones that all of them would benefit from hearing, but I don’t know if the writing style is one that would capture their interest. Because of the simplicity and repetition, I found myself hoping for more action in the plot, and I think middle school readers might feel the same. As an adult reader, I loved the messages, and while I understand the reasoning behind the writing style, it made the book less engaging for me.

[Sarah Monsma · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Anaïs comes to America, things are very different from her life back home in Congo. Her family is split up, people don’t speak in French, and the food is very strange. But Anaïs’s grandmother asked her to write letters in English and to include in each letter one good thing about America, and Anaïs is determined to keep her promise.

Starting on the first day of fourth grade, Anaïs writes often to Oma. At first, writing in English is hard, and finding good things to say about America is even harder. Sometimes worries about her Papa, her brother Olivier, and Oma overshadow the good things that are beginning to happen for Anaïs. But over time, Anaïs begins to make friends, build a community, and find many good things about America.

Told in compelling letters from Anaïs to her grandmother, One Good Thing About America is an important book for children to read today. Though Ruth Freeman is not herself an immigrant, her work as a teacher of English Language Learners in Maine has helped her to put her finger on the pulse of child immigrants in America today, and her compassion has allowed her to show the complexity of immigrating to a country in which the language, the customs, and the expectations are all completely unknown. The story includes not only Anaïs’s experiences, but also some insight into immigrants from Iraq, Somalia, and Libya. In my opinion, Freeman soft pedals the frictions and misunderstandings that are likely to occur between children in school, perhaps equally in service to other elements of the story and in order to keep the focus on the many other challenges immigrants must face. For me, this decision works and makes One Good Thing About America a hopeful and heartwarming read.

I’d recommend this novel as a classroom or bedtime read-aloud or for students to read on their own. This debut novel will provoke great discussions between parents and children, teachers and students, and (dare I hope?) politicians and constituents.

I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Lois R. Gross · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Good Thing About America
Ruth Freeman
This insightful, warm-hearted book addresses a critical American problem: the integration of child refugees into the American family. Anais, her mother, and her little brother flee Congo to come to America. They leave behind an older brother and Anais’ father who is being hunted by the government’s army and the government controlled mining company for which he worked. The danger to the family is so great that Anais’ family, unknown to her, impoverished themselves to make sure that three family members reach safety in the United States. In a series of emotional letters to her grandmother, Anais documents the problems of a child coming to a new country with a different climate, different customs, and a totally new language. Early on, Anais loses her name because her teacher Americanizes it to “Annie”. She struggles to make friends but is fortunate to have a supportive teacher; an outstanding ELL teacher; and an immigrant janitor who offers her a role model of an adult who does what must be done to become a “real American.” Annie’s grandmother, also still in Africa, charges her with finding one thing a day that she likes about America. Sometimes she struggles to identify the good things but gradually she can see the benefits of her new home. Even the shelter in which her family lives becomes an extended family with distinct reasons for ending up in the shelter. The undercurrent of the book is her continued worry for her father and brother’s safety as they work their way to a refugee camp in Kenya. Anais’ struggle to fit in is not that different from the experience of generations of new Americans. However, the story is much more seems much more relevant considering current nationalistic sentiments. A book to open hearts and minds to newcomers’ struggles.
BIBLIO: 2017, Holiday House, Ages 7 to 12, $16.95.
REVIEWER: Lois Rubin Gross
FORMAT: Middle Reader
ISBN: 978-0-8234-3695-8

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anais was the star of her English class in Africa, but now she, her mother and her little brother are living in a shelter in the United States. They have left her father, her brother and her Oma (grandma) behind to face the fighting and the soldiers. Anais begins fourth grade in “crazy America” and decides to write a daily letter to Oma to tell her how much she misses her, how much she longs for her life in Africa and how she is experiencing all sorts of strange things in this new country. Luckily Oma is able to respond and when she does challenges her granddaughter to find “one good thing about America” every day. This proves to be a difficult task, especially when there are crazy things like chicken fingers and all of the uncooperative vowels of the English language! But she soon finds lots of good things too, like Thanksgiving, fall leaves and snow, even though she continues to ache for her Oma, her older brother and most of all her papa.
Anais’s story is beautifully told and is one that everyone should read, both children and adults. It is at times heartbreaking, but also a funny and uplifting description of a family’s struggles to adapt to a new country where everything from the climate, to the food, to the language is drastically different from what they have left behind. It also enables one to feel and to understand the fear they experience about their family members who were left behind. It would be a great read aloud in a classroom to help the children both develop a better understanding of immigration, and to develop empathy for the refugees who come to our country to find a new and safer life. This book should be in every elementary library and another copy in all ELL classrooms.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Do you no Americans eat fingers from chickens and sticks from fish? Now I no Americans are very very CRAZY.”

Everything is so strange right now to Anais. She, her mother and her brother, Jean-Claude, have left their home in the Congo and are living in Boston. Her older brother, Olivier, is still living with her Oma in the Congo. Her father’s whereabouts are unknown, as he is being hunted by the military because of information he has about the mines.

Anais’ family is living in a shelter until they can afford an apartment and she is going to an American school. Everyday Anais writes to her Oma about how much she wants to return to her home in the Congo. Her grandmother challenges her to find “One good thing about America” every day.

And slowly, with her focus on the positives, she begins to adapt to her new surroundings. She finds friends and enjoys the company of other new students from different countries. With the help of Ms. Taylor, her ESL teacher, and Mr. Dan, who is an immigrant himself who speaks French like Anais, she begins to understand English better, though it is still sometimes confusing. But still ... why would anyone want to wear pajamas to school?

Such a great book for perspective and empathy. It really makes you think about all the things in school that we treat as normal, like pajama days, that may seem really strange to those who are new to our culture. This would make for some great discussions if read aloud or in small groups. I would suggest either 3rd or 4th and above.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a charming epistolary middle-grade novel about a girl recently arrived in America with her family from Congo, where her father was persecuted for some slight to the government. Her letters to her Oma are filled with details about her new life, including the titular "one good thing about America today," and for a 10-year-old girl, these can range from ice cream and pizza to her first snowfall to the thought of a new apartment that will allow her and her mother and brother to settle more securely than the shelter where they live. Unlike other novels I've read about the African emigrant experience, ones that are by and about adults, this is a feel-good story in which, aside from other children who make fun of her accent and her difficult French name (Anais) and generally give her a hard time at first, most of the people she encounters are working to help her. The author has a history as an ELA teacher, so unsurprisingly, one of the most important people in Anais' new life is her ELA teacher. Anais' letters also include repeated entreaties to her grandmother, asking whether she has heard from her father and older brother, who are in hiding, and seemingly in constant danger. It is a subtle yet powerful way to fill out the story. Anais' primary preoccupation is with adjusting to her new life, but she is clearly attached to her family and her community in Africa, and the narrative illustrates that dichotomy with wonderful simplicity. This is a lovely, accessible immigrant story for readers young and old.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freeman, Ruth One Good Thing About America, 156 pgs. Holiday House, 2017. $16.95. Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.

9-year-old Anaïs is a refugee from The Congo. She and her mother and baby brother Jean-Claude are living in a shelter while her mother applies for asylum. Anaïs' father is still in Africa, trying to keep one step ahead of the soldiers who are looking for him. Anaïs writes letters (in English) to her Oma back at home. Oma wants Anaïs to learn English quickly and has someone who can translate. She has encouraged Anaïs to find one good thing about America every day. Most of her letters are about her school experiences - holidays, her teachers, friends and food.

This is an enlightening look into the difficult lives of refugees. The difficulty of learning a new language while trying to adapt to the culture and even climate of the USA, all the while worrying about family back home, makes this transition difficult at best. An author’s note at the end explains the spelling challenges (often Anaïs would spell phonetically) encountered by english language learners as well as websites where the reader can learn more about refugees and immigration.

EL - ADVISABLE Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...

[Vesa Barileva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back home in Africa, Anais was the best English student but now recently since she has moved to America she has no idea what people are saying and she feels like the odd one out at her new school. Many people move to new schools and that can be quite painful and heartbreaking but what if you had to move to an entire new country I’m sure if that happened to you then you would know exactly how Anais feels. She came to America with her mother and brother Jean-Claude, leaving behind her father, Oma, and older brother Olivier. Her Oma gave Anais a challenge to write one good thing about America each day so she could learn to love her new country and practise her English. Her letters show happiness, melancholy, anger, and Anais gradually finding things to like about America. At first I was a bit concerned about all the misspelled words but that gave a certain point of view and truth about the type of character Anais is. My one desire is that I would like the book to be more realistic about the hardships that immigrants face such as employment, racism, cultural differences, transportation and housing. These issues are slightly addressed but I would want the author to dig deeper on these issues. Otherwise it was a fantastic book.

[Patricia Tilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is always hard to be the new student in a new school, especially when you come from another country and struggle with the language, look different, eat strange foods, celebrate different holidays and leave loved ones behind. Ruth Freeman’s compelling and hopeful book explores differences and common grounds among cultures. She humorously captures Anais’ angst through first person narrative. The story is told in a series of letters that Anais writes to her grandmother, Oma.

After much whining about Crazy America, Anais promises Oma she will try to find one good thing she likes about America daily, whether it is sledding, tasting hot chocolate, backpacks, helpful school teachers, a close group of immigrant friends, and Christmas trees decorated with pictures. This is a good classroom or home practice for youth everywhere. Find something you like in your life daily and be grateful.

As Anais becomes more comfortable in her surroundings, readers will see her growth as she takes the lead and helps newly arriving immigrant children from Iraq, Libya and Somalia adjust to America. This is a timely story for readers as it reminds us that America is a nation of immigrants, where we must learn about each other and celebrate our differences.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

9-year-old Anaïs is a refugee from The Congo. She and her mother and baby brother Jean-Claude are living in a shelter while her mother applies for asylum. Anaïs' father is still in Africa, trying to keep one step ahead of the soldiers who are looking for him. Anaïs writes letters (in English) to her Oma back at home. Oma wants Anaïs to learn English quickly and has someone who can translate. She has encouraged Anaïs to find one good thing about America every day. Most of her letters are about her school experiences - holidays, her teachers, friends and food.

This is an enlightening look into the difficult lives of refugees. The difficulty of learning a new language while trying to adapt to the culture and even climate of the USA, all the while worrying about family back home, makes this transition difficult at best. An author’s note at the end explains the spelling challenges (often Anaïs would spell phonetically) encountered by english language learners as well as websites where the reader can learn more about refugees and immigration.

Cross posted to http://kissthebook.blogspot.com CHECK IT OTU!

[PK · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's a lot to like here: immigrant child perspective, ups and downs of adjustment and learning English, interesting background characters, the Oma (grandma) who is receiving the letters, the concern for relatives in danger and still in the home country. Sadly, a book limited to the first person voice of the child risks making other characters a bit shadowy. My greatest problems with the book are that it shys away from clarifying, declines to provide information on, "a silum" (asylum) and the economics of the mother and children. They live in a shelter, they move to an apartment, they sold their home and grandmother's home in Congo to have enough money to get three family members to the US, but the government and non-government institutions that support them now are not acknowledged.
Ordinarily I take the point of view that critique should stay with what the author intended and whether that was realized, so please forgive me for wanting a book that gives the young reader awareness that governments not only stand by when violence and oppression are occurring but also (along with NGOs) make efforts to identify and support refugees.

[Diane Ferbrache · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anais has come to America with her mother, leaving behind her brother and father and beloved Oma. In Africa, Anais was a star English student, but she struggles with the language and customs in America. In a series of letters to Oma, readers learn Anais’ story both here in America and Africa. While Anais tries to remain upbeat and positive, she sometimes has to look very hard to find even one good thing about America.

A quick read and a revealing look at how an immigrant could see Americans, American customs, and the English language. Anais’ letters are written will all the spelling errors and sometimes incorrect grammar, emphasizing her difficulties with the language. Because she is a young girl (10 years old), and her perceptions and experiences are age appropriate (trick or treating, April’s Fool, Christmas) this is more appropriate for middle school or even upper elementary. I admit the misspelled words bothered me as time went on, but the storyline and Anais’ experiences make the book worthwhile.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

We've been reading a lot about children and families who have lost their homes due to unrest. Most that we have been sharing are picture books. I wanted to find something else to read aloud and discuss. This might be it. Anais writes to her Oma in still in Congo and tells her what life is like in Crazy America. Oma encourages Anais to find one good thing about America each day. This is hard because it is all so different in Maine where part of her family has settled. Her father and older brother are still in Congo and on the run from the government soldiers who seek to silence them. There is enough of their tale for worry and discussion, but not enough to create fear.

Some of the story takes place in an ELL classroom so we also learn a bit about the struggles of those from different cultures with different languages - Somali and Arabic. I appreciate the fact that there are adults who are also trying to learn languages and make their way in the world.

So much we don't know or appreciate when we label and set people aside.

[Yapha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anais, her mother, and younger brother have made it to America from Congo. Her father, older brother, and grandmother stayed behind. While she was the best English speaker in her school back home, she finds the English spoken in her new school in Maine quite different. She feels fortunate that they have a room at the shelter and share a kitchen with two other families, but is worried about the rest of the family that is not with them. Told in letters to her grandmother (who requested that she write in English), we follow Anais (now Annie at school) through fourth grade in America. While somethings are quite different, the universal themes of friendship, belonging, and a love of chocolate will resonant with all readers. The author spent many years teaching English Language Learners and drew on her students' experiences to write as authentically as she could. Highly recommended for grades 4 & up.

[Danielle Hammelef · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must-read book for anyone. The author has captured the trials and struggles of a non-native English speaker moving to the US and being thrust into American culture. I know many Japanese that come to live temporarily in my area and even though they've studied English, I am more aware of how many things I say that are slang and they don't understand. I'm also trying to learn a bit of Japanese and teach them English when they ask for translations. It really makes me take a fresh look at all the "rules" we have and how ridiculous it can get to try to remember them. Japanese is so much more straightforward.

The author has created an authentic 10 year old voice that readers will come to love and care about as she shares her fears in letter format to her Grandma. And of course, with all the "rules" there is plenty of humor too.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

America may not be for everyone, and Anais is sure it isn't for her! Having to write letters in English to her Oma (grandma) explaining at least one good thing about Crazy America is a challenge. What can be good about this place? What if America never feels like home?

Exploring another's perspective is a good better best thing! It makes you look at your own world in a new way and find new things to appreciate. Anais' perspective was so different for me; it gave me so many terrific things to think about. Funny, sad, angry, uplifting--so many emotions to express in just one tiny book. This story needs to be told, and kids need to read this (especially in our time now) so that they can relate to the characters.

Bonus: The author has resources at the end so that you can find out more.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anais is a girl who recently moved to Maine from her home in Africa. She writes to her grandmother nearly every day and often complains about our crazy country. Oma, her grandmother, challenges the fourth grader to find one good thing about America each day.

There's really a lot going on here that is mostly implied (at least at first). Anais, her mother and little brother live in a shelter. Her father is at home (Congo) but on the run from soldiers because he has information about how people are treated in the mines and that just two people are getting rich from the whole mess.

My biggest complaint is the misspellings. I understand why the author did it, because this is a child who isn't completely fluent in English. But many kids who read this will still think they can spell "tight" as "tite".

[Bozhena Levine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am an elementary ELL teacher, so this story describes exactly what I deal with on the daily basis, down to the languages the children speak. The story is told from the perspective of a 9 year old Anaïs, who is writing letters to her Oma in Congo, and captures the voice, the underlying meaning, thoughts, emotions, and even the spelling errors exactly. I have already ordered a class set and cannot wait to share this wonderful book with my students, who would be so happy to see themselves on its pages. As an educator who works with the ELL population, I would like to say thank you, Ms. Freeman, so very much for writing this much needed book! And my deepest gratitude to the Holiday House publisher for choosing to shine a spotlight on this vulnerable population, so that others can learn and better understand their experience.

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful epistolary novel about a young girl's experiences moving from the Congo to Maine. All her correspondence is with her Oma who is still in the Congo. Aside from trying to understand some of the American habits, culture, and language, Anais is also worried about her father and older brother who are still in the Congo and are targets of the government. After a few letters, Oma suggests that in every letter Anais needs to share one good thing about America to help her to see the benefits of living in this new country. While some days Anais struggles more than others to find that one good thing she begins to understand that she is becoming more American every day. This is a fabulous book to use in class to help students better understand the refugee/immigrant experience.

[Teresa Bateman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nine-year-old Anais is from Africa, but now the French-speaking girl is a refugee in America with her mother and little brother. Papa, Olivier, and Oma were left behind. Told in a series of letters to her grandmother (Oma), this is a first-person account of a girl trying to fit into a new culture, new country, new language, new everything. She misses people and places, and these Americans are so peculiar! Grandma's urging to find one good thing about America every day is sometimes a stretch. Still Anais perseveres, talking about school, shelters, the search for an apartment, and her fears for her brother and father, left behind. This is a poignant and encouraging look at the life of a refugee, told with humor and, ultimately, hope.

[Paula Boyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of a sweet, brave, almost 10-year old refugee girl, Anaïs, who arrives in Maine from the Congo with part of her family and attends an elementary school. Her father, brother, and grandmother are still in Africa. She frequently writes letters to her grandmother to tell her about CRAZY America! Her grandmother tells her to stop complaining and to write one good thing about America in every letter. It is interesting to read what Anaïs finds to be good about her everyday experiences in school, in the shelter where they live, and in her community. The author does a great job of relaying, through this young student, the challenges and benefits that refugees and asylum seekers find in our country.

[Books4Me · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book to my 4th grade class, online, in the Fall of 2020. Since then, it’s one of the first read-alouds I share with each class. A wonderful story about a child who is new to the US and her school, author Ruth Freeman clearly knows children and understands the experience newcomers have as they learn English. The story is one that my students really connect with and see themselves portrayed. Whether new to a country, school, or class, the universal experience of starting a new school year is one in which children can relate. This book is terrific for helping to build a positive and supportive classroom culture.

[Mayda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intended for kids ages 8-12, this novel will appeal to all ages. Anais is newly arrived in America from the Congo, and knows only a smattering of English. Her family is divided, with her father and older brother staying in the Congo as well as her grandmother. Living in a shelter with her mother and her younger brother, she greatly misses the life she knew back home. But political unrest has put her father in danger, and her mother is in the US, seeking asylum for her whole family. Meanwhile, Anais must go to a new school, learn a new language, and deal with a different culture where almost nothing makes sense. To help adjust to her new life, her grandmother tells her she must find one good thing about America every day. Thus begins her series of delightful and charming letters to Oma. On some days, it is very hard for her think of even one good thing; on other days – especially when she discovers pizza and ice cream for the first time – it is easy. The enjoyment of this tale arises not only from seeing America through the eyes of a young immigrant child, but also in her discovery of new things and her growth in knowledge and maturity. A good tale to read, this story is an even better one to discuss and ponder.

[Katie Rowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fantastic little book. I was originally concerned about the incorrect spellings, but that offers a great touch of authenticity (and there is a glossary of sorts in the back). Anais has immigrated from Africa to America and she is having a difficult time (at first) adjusting. This book wonderfully details the thought process a child might have when they hear things like "Pajama Day" or "write a scary story." Wonderful, eye-opening book for children (and teachers--some of these things I had never considered, even as an elementary classroom teacher).

[Staciel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was recommended this book by a young girl that I know.

Her family is from another country and English is not their native language... As such, I can see why this story appealed to her.

In it, the main character is challenged with learning English and to think of 'one good thing about America' each and every day.

It was an interesting view into what life might look like for many children coming to America and trying to learn all of the crazy nuances held within the English language and American culture.