Zakery's Bridge: Children's Journeys from Around the World to Iowa

by Kay Fenton Smith, Carol Roh Spaulding

In Zakery’s Bridge we meet nine children who share their family stories of immigrating to Iowa. Each journey begins in a different country: From Zakery, crossing a famous bridge in Bosnia and Herzegovina, to Dau, listening to evening stories in Sudan, and Cara whose journey opens at the foot of Shuan Foung Mountain in Taiwan. Other stories start in: India, Palestine, Mexico, Israel, Laos, and The Netherlands.

For these young immigrants their travels end in Iowa, but their stories are just beginning. See how they made new lives in America—and how they inspired their friends.

120 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Drake Community Press · Rating 5 out of 5]

What would it be like to start over in a far-away country? In Zakery’s Bridge, nine children share their families’ immigration journeys to Iowa. Authors Kay Fenton Smith and Carol Roh Spaulding transport readers to the countries where each story begins. Stories come to life with full-color photography from around the world.

Zakery’s Bridge is reaching out to readers of all ages and cultures. Proceeds from the book benefit cross-cultural learning through CultureALL and the Iowa International Center. With an introduction by then Governor Robert Ray, the book begins by telling the story of Zakery Delilovic, whose family fled Bosnia & Herzegovina because of the Bosnian War. Nine true stories of children around the world who immigrated to Iowa succeed the eponymous one about Zakery.

[Talbot Hook · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short read, but good for an understanding of the immigrant body of citizens within the State of Iowa. There were a few grammatical issues, but the book had a nice format and wonderful accompanying pictures.