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Hannah Is My Name: A Young Immigrant's Story
"Based on her own immigration story, Yang’s offering is a winner — a spot-on depiction of the immigration experience in America." — KIRKUS REVIEWS
It’s a long way from Taiwan to San Francisco, but Hannah’s family has made the journey because they want to make America their home. In America, Baba tells his daughter, people are free to say what they think, and children can grow up to be whatever they choose. As Hannah takes a new name, starts a new school, learns a new language, and adjusts to a new way of life, they all wait — and hope — for the arrival of the green cards that will assure they are finally home to stay.
A National Council for the Social Studies Notable Trade Book for Young People
It’s a long way from Taiwan to San Francisco, but Hannah’s family has made the journey because they want to make America their home. In America, Baba tells his daughter, people are free to say what they think, and children can grow up to be whatever they choose. As Hannah takes a new name, starts a new school, learns a new language, and adjusts to a new way of life, they all wait — and hope — for the arrival of the green cards that will assure they are finally home to stay.
A National Council for the Social Studies Notable Trade Book for Young People
32 pages, Paperback
First published August 19, 2004
2 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
About the author
Belle Yang
20 books16 followers"My Chinese name is Xuan, or "Forget-All-Sorrow." It is also Chinese for "lily of a day," notes Belle Yang. "If life spans a mere day, why spend it in worry?" Indeed, the author-illustrator of HANNAH IS MY NAME recalls a seemingly worry-free childhood in Taiwan and Japan, where she "doodled and fiddled around with words and discovered they were her life."
Now an author and painter, Belle Yang has developed a remarkable style that draws on her rich cultural background, influenced not only by childhood memories of Taiwan and Japan and her experience of immigrating to the United States at age seven, but also by her studies in Scotland and China. It was Belle Yang's homecoming from China to the U.S. after the Tiananmen Massacre that precipitated a new dedication to her art. "I returned with gratitude in my heart for the freedom of expression given me in America," she says. "I returned convinced that I would firmly grasp this gift with both hands." And since officially becoming an artist "sometime in the early nineties," Belle Yang's work has consistently garnered widespread acclaim for its vividness and authenticity. Notes Amy Tan, author of THE JOY LUCK CLUB, "Belle Yang is an American writer who writes in English and thinks in Chinese. Her writing feels Chinese. . . . It is as though we, the readers of English, can now miraculously read Chinese."
Belle Yang's latest book perfectly captures the essence of this Chinese-American fusion. HANNAH IS MY NAME is an immigrant story especially close to the author's own: "HANNAH IS MY NAME is based on our first years in San Francisco," she says. "I missed my old friends and teacher, but it was not a miserable yearning. It was a great privilege to come to the United States, and we didn't look back." Like the author, Hannah and her family move from Taiwan to San Francisco, where she takes a new name, begins a new school, learns a new language, and starts to adjust to a new way of life. Illuminated by Chinese-influenced paintings in jewel-like colors, Belle Yang's immigration tale represents one of the many facets of the American dream.
Belle Yang has written and illustrated four books and has participated in solo museum shows. She lives in California.
Now an author and painter, Belle Yang has developed a remarkable style that draws on her rich cultural background, influenced not only by childhood memories of Taiwan and Japan and her experience of immigrating to the United States at age seven, but also by her studies in Scotland and China. It was Belle Yang's homecoming from China to the U.S. after the Tiananmen Massacre that precipitated a new dedication to her art. "I returned with gratitude in my heart for the freedom of expression given me in America," she says. "I returned convinced that I would firmly grasp this gift with both hands." And since officially becoming an artist "sometime in the early nineties," Belle Yang's work has consistently garnered widespread acclaim for its vividness and authenticity. Notes Amy Tan, author of THE JOY LUCK CLUB, "Belle Yang is an American writer who writes in English and thinks in Chinese. Her writing feels Chinese. . . . It is as though we, the readers of English, can now miraculously read Chinese."
Belle Yang's latest book perfectly captures the essence of this Chinese-American fusion. HANNAH IS MY NAME is an immigrant story especially close to the author's own: "HANNAH IS MY NAME is based on our first years in San Francisco," she says. "I missed my old friends and teacher, but it was not a miserable yearning. It was a great privilege to come to the United States, and we didn't look back." Like the author, Hannah and her family move from Taiwan to San Francisco, where she takes a new name, begins a new school, learns a new language, and starts to adjust to a new way of life. Illuminated by Chinese-influenced paintings in jewel-like colors, Belle Yang's immigration tale represents one of the many facets of the American dream.
Belle Yang has written and illustrated four books and has participated in solo museum shows. She lives in California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
December 5, 2020
I really enjoyed reading this book. It made me feel things as Hannah goes through the wait for their green card. This book can be a mirror book in the classroom and a window as well. Illustrations are colorful and inviting for children.
December 1, 2019
Summary:
This realistic fiction book is appropriate for 2-5 grade levels. For ELs, teachers should also consider the English level of the students when using this book.
This book shares not only Taiwanese immigrant experiences, but also touches on how the lack of documentation has serious consequences for immigrant families. The book gives a vivid emotional journey of the life-changing experience of successfully obtaining documentation. It also shows the economic constraints that families experience because of their immigration status.
Ideas:
In the classroom, I can use this book along with an extension project on the topic of immigration. For example, depending on the English level of my students, I can have students make collages of their immigration experiences or write a mini-book that is similar to this one.
I can also use this book to be a discussion starter on the topic of immigration and documentation for higher level students. The teacher will introduce the book and what it’s about. There will be a class read aloud of the entire book. Then students will be in small groups where they are assigned on different parts of the book and they summarize the content of the book. Next, we will come back as a group and discuss the various parts by completing a timeline. We will review the timeline and the key parts.
Once students are familiar with the content of the book, we will go back to small groups. The teacher will give each group discussion questions and students will complete them. Last, we will come back as a class to discuss important issues on immigration.
Why WOW?
This book was a WOW book because it’s rare to find a children’s immigration book that also addresses the serious and difficult experience of waiting for documentation. It debunks many theories that it’s easy for immigrants to obtain documentation or that it’s easy to live without documentation. Many children in these situations may find it hard to process such a complex emotional journey. But this book offers a real experience that is helpful for students to talk about difficult documentation experiences.
This realistic fiction book is appropriate for 2-5 grade levels. For ELs, teachers should also consider the English level of the students when using this book.
This book shares not only Taiwanese immigrant experiences, but also touches on how the lack of documentation has serious consequences for immigrant families. The book gives a vivid emotional journey of the life-changing experience of successfully obtaining documentation. It also shows the economic constraints that families experience because of their immigration status.
Ideas:
In the classroom, I can use this book along with an extension project on the topic of immigration. For example, depending on the English level of my students, I can have students make collages of their immigration experiences or write a mini-book that is similar to this one.
I can also use this book to be a discussion starter on the topic of immigration and documentation for higher level students. The teacher will introduce the book and what it’s about. There will be a class read aloud of the entire book. Then students will be in small groups where they are assigned on different parts of the book and they summarize the content of the book. Next, we will come back as a group and discuss the various parts by completing a timeline. We will review the timeline and the key parts.
Once students are familiar with the content of the book, we will go back to small groups. The teacher will give each group discussion questions and students will complete them. Last, we will come back as a class to discuss important issues on immigration.
Why WOW?
This book was a WOW book because it’s rare to find a children’s immigration book that also addresses the serious and difficult experience of waiting for documentation. It debunks many theories that it’s easy for immigrants to obtain documentation or that it’s easy to live without documentation. Many children in these situations may find it hard to process such a complex emotional journey. But this book offers a real experience that is helpful for students to talk about difficult documentation experiences.
February 2, 2011
Hannah Is My Name
Written by Belle Yang
Published by: Candlewick Press, Cambridge, MA 2004
Approx. Interest Level: Grade 2-3
Belle provides an episodic view of immigrating to the United States from Taiwan in the 1960’s. This account is largely autobiographical and could be considered dated. The references to Taiwan could be seen as incorrect, and some of the characters involved in the story are extremely stereotypical, which create confusing messages about Taiwan, Chinese people, and immigration. Also, the illustrations of stereotypical Chinese characters in the book reinforce the idea of token Chinese characters; for example, Mr. Choo is a paperwork translator who lives in Chinatown, has thick glasses, and a moustache. As a first generation Taiwanese American who has travelled to Taiwan and knows many people of Asian descent, this book proved to be an inaccurate, flat portrayal of the immigrant experience. Additionally, every two pages consist of one episode in Hannah’s life, which creates a disjointed feeling to the story. There is little to tie the whole story together besides the fact that Hannah and her family are constantly afraid of deportation and are waiting to get a green card. Overall, this simply told story does not allow for enough multidimensionality or richness of culture to be considered a great example of multicultural children’s literature.
Written by Belle Yang
Published by: Candlewick Press, Cambridge, MA 2004
Approx. Interest Level: Grade 2-3
Belle provides an episodic view of immigrating to the United States from Taiwan in the 1960’s. This account is largely autobiographical and could be considered dated. The references to Taiwan could be seen as incorrect, and some of the characters involved in the story are extremely stereotypical, which create confusing messages about Taiwan, Chinese people, and immigration. Also, the illustrations of stereotypical Chinese characters in the book reinforce the idea of token Chinese characters; for example, Mr. Choo is a paperwork translator who lives in Chinatown, has thick glasses, and a moustache. As a first generation Taiwanese American who has travelled to Taiwan and knows many people of Asian descent, this book proved to be an inaccurate, flat portrayal of the immigrant experience. Additionally, every two pages consist of one episode in Hannah’s life, which creates a disjointed feeling to the story. There is little to tie the whole story together besides the fact that Hannah and her family are constantly afraid of deportation and are waiting to get a green card. Overall, this simply told story does not allow for enough multidimensionality or richness of culture to be considered a great example of multicultural children’s literature.
October 20, 2013
Hannah and her family move from Taiwan to San Francisco, CA in 1967 for a better life. They fill out the immigration papers and anxiously await their green cards so they can stay in the United States, all the while staying on alert so Baba doesn't get caught working without a green card and they get deported back to Taiwan. Hannah grows a whole 2 inches before they finally get their green cards and they are able to celebrate.
This book was listened to on Tumblebooks in English. Tumblebooks also has this picture book written and spoken in Chinese. Bella Yang did a wonderful job of portraying the immigrant experience and what a family must endure while waiting to be accepted into the United States. Her pictures were bright and colorful gouche that made the experience more cheerful and hopeful than what the characters facial expressions showed while they waited for their green cards.
This would be a great book for any grade level that is learning about people from other countries or immigration. Although it is set in 1967 there is only one reference when Martin Luther King Jr. was killed that finally clued me in that it was set in the past. Other than that I would have said it was a current time frame. The characters dress looked current also.
This book was listened to on Tumblebooks in English. Tumblebooks also has this picture book written and spoken in Chinese. Bella Yang did a wonderful job of portraying the immigrant experience and what a family must endure while waiting to be accepted into the United States. Her pictures were bright and colorful gouche that made the experience more cheerful and hopeful than what the characters facial expressions showed while they waited for their green cards.
This would be a great book for any grade level that is learning about people from other countries or immigration. Although it is set in 1967 there is only one reference when Martin Luther King Jr. was killed that finally clued me in that it was set in the past. Other than that I would have said it was a current time frame. The characters dress looked current also.
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May 11, 2021My Name is Hannah
Belle Yang
Multi-Cultural Literature
Book Level: 4.2
The setting is San Francisco California. Here, a young Chinese girl named Na- Li or Tadpole is trying to become a U.S. citizen. When this happens her name can finally be Hannah. She doesn’t know how to speak English but is eager to learn.
This book explains Hannah’s journey from Taiwan to San Francisco and all the obstacles she and her family face when they are in the US. The first few pages paints the image of the family’s life in San Francisco, from the the apartment building they live in and the Mr. Choo the man in charge of making sure Hannah and her family can get their green cards. Green Cards become and important item throughout this book. Hannah’s parents aren’t allowed to have jobs and they are poor immigrants in a city that is filled with endless things to buy.
Hannah attends school and is in the first grade. Since she doesn’t know English it is hard for her to learn everything and Hannah gets in trouble by talking in class. She likes being in school, but worries that her family will have to go back to Taiwan if the green cards don’t show up. This story also shares some of the cultural foods that Hannah and her family consume. One of the foods is pot stickers and that is just for special occasions. The celebration is for the green cards that finally come in the mail.
Word choice in this story is excellent. Students will learn words that they will understand but will also make them think about what they are doing and reading about. The engagement from this story should make students intrigued and understand the struggle Hannah is going through the the things she is working through as she adapts to a new life.
Belle Yang
Multi-Cultural Literature
Book Level: 4.2
The setting is San Francisco California. Here, a young Chinese girl named Na- Li or Tadpole is trying to become a U.S. citizen. When this happens her name can finally be Hannah. She doesn’t know how to speak English but is eager to learn.
This book explains Hannah’s journey from Taiwan to San Francisco and all the obstacles she and her family face when they are in the US. The first few pages paints the image of the family’s life in San Francisco, from the the apartment building they live in and the Mr. Choo the man in charge of making sure Hannah and her family can get their green cards. Green Cards become and important item throughout this book. Hannah’s parents aren’t allowed to have jobs and they are poor immigrants in a city that is filled with endless things to buy.
Hannah attends school and is in the first grade. Since she doesn’t know English it is hard for her to learn everything and Hannah gets in trouble by talking in class. She likes being in school, but worries that her family will have to go back to Taiwan if the green cards don’t show up. This story also shares some of the cultural foods that Hannah and her family consume. One of the foods is pot stickers and that is just for special occasions. The celebration is for the green cards that finally come in the mail.
Word choice in this story is excellent. Students will learn words that they will understand but will also make them think about what they are doing and reading about. The engagement from this story should make students intrigued and understand the struggle Hannah is going through the the things she is working through as she adapts to a new life.
September 4, 2020
Theme: The importance of family and getting used to a new culture.
Na-Li and her family move from Taiwan to get better opportunities that they hope for in the United States. Na-Li tells herself that being American is the only way for freedom, so she has to change her name and worry about the country's "rules." As much as Hannah's family tries to become Americans, they must wait for the immigration process to take its flow. The wait for green cards is a consonant remainder that deportation is possible, so Hannah's family are constantly worried about getting caught by the authorities. The images seen by the picture book are very bright and cheerful, even in the "bad" times to keep the perspective of a child. The importance of the reason why these cards are important isn't mentioned, but it has the struggle effect that affects everyone in Hannah's family.
I really liked the book when it illustrates that the immigration process is sometimes worrisome for some families. Children in older elementary grades may understand that they should be grateful for the opportunities they've been given as Americans. As a first-generation child, this book builds a connection to be given the same opportunities and empathic for those that aren't given the same chance. This book would be a great resource when trying to explain immigration and the struggles of their ancestors when coming to America.
Na-Li and her family move from Taiwan to get better opportunities that they hope for in the United States. Na-Li tells herself that being American is the only way for freedom, so she has to change her name and worry about the country's "rules." As much as Hannah's family tries to become Americans, they must wait for the immigration process to take its flow. The wait for green cards is a consonant remainder that deportation is possible, so Hannah's family are constantly worried about getting caught by the authorities. The images seen by the picture book are very bright and cheerful, even in the "bad" times to keep the perspective of a child. The importance of the reason why these cards are important isn't mentioned, but it has the struggle effect that affects everyone in Hannah's family.
I really liked the book when it illustrates that the immigration process is sometimes worrisome for some families. Children in older elementary grades may understand that they should be grateful for the opportunities they've been given as Americans. As a first-generation child, this book builds a connection to be given the same opportunities and empathic for those that aren't given the same chance. This book would be a great resource when trying to explain immigration and the struggles of their ancestors when coming to America.
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November 14, 2022The story I chose this week was Hannah Is My Name by Belle Yang. This story is about a young Chinese girl and her family that immigrate to San Francisco and are anxiously awaiting their green cards. The main character Hannah’s mother filled out and filed the paperwork, but she is told that her family’s cards may never arrive if the US Government doesn’t think she was honest in her answers. This causes a lot of anxiety for the family, especially after Hannah’s father gets a job. Fairly soon after he starts work, inspectors start coming around the neighborhood to check people’s papers and arrest those that don’t have green cards. One of the father’s coworkers warns him, and he and Hannah are able to get away fairly easily. I really liked this book, as it shows an example of the anxiety that a large portion of people in the US go through while they await their papers. This book has a lot of pretty illustrations, many of which are fairly simple, but match up with the text either on that page or the next. There seemed to have been a few different mediums used in the production of the designs, which can be seen from both the drawing style itself and the textures that are noticeable on the pages of the book.
October 10, 2018
Hannah is a good name, but it doesn't sound very Chinese. Observe the challenges and worries Hannah and her family face during their efforts to become American citizens. I enjoyed this story simply because of the family factor. No matter how stressed or worried the Lin family became, they never gave up hope on receiving their green cards. I would use this in my classroom to discuss the importance of accepting all people no matter what race they may be. I would want to create a safe, happy environment for students of all races and I want the other kids in my class to understand this concept as well. A major theme in my classroom that I feel is represented by this book would be that we are all created equal, despite our skin color.
October 30, 2017
I love reading this book with my daughter about a Taiwanese family who immigrates to the US in the late 1960s. A great opportunity to talk about why so many people want to come and live here, the opportunities there are for those who want to work hard and the joy of achieving those dreams. This is an important message to impart to the next generation and a reminder, that everyone -- everyone -- has roots stemming from other countries.
September 20, 2017
When Na-Li and her family move to the United States from Taiwan, she is put into an unfamiliar culture. In the United States she has to learn a new language, take on a new name (Hannah) and her family has to worry about green cards. This is a suspenseful tale that tells the reality of immigration and the anxiety that comes with waiting to be a legal citizen or obtain a green card.
September 25, 2017
I think is a great book to read to upper elementary students. The story starts out with Hannah getting her new name coming to the United States. The story follows the struggles and high points of coming to the United States as an immigrant. This would be a great book to read during a lesson on other countries.
November 15, 2017
This would be an excellent book to use if there are new students to the class. The story explains the life of a girl who has moved from a different country, and she has to get acclimated to a new life and a new language. This story could help students in the class build an understanding of what a new student may be going through.
October 19, 2018
I read Belle Yang's Angel in Beijing a while back, and I am officially a major Belle Yang fan. This book is stunning to look at and tells a great story about a Taiwanese family that moves to San Francisco and has to wait for green cards. Very moving and written from a 1st grader's perspective. I loved it.
March 29, 2019
3/28/2019 ~ An older book that I found on the shelves in my elementary library. Though the story is set in the mid-sixties (based on the author's memories of her own immigration to the U.S. from Taiwan), the tale resonates now as well. This book would fit well in a text set on immigrants' names as they move to a new culture.
April 26, 2018
This book talks about the journey a family takes as they are adjusting to life here in America. The family faces many hardships and struggles but are able to overcome them.
Lexile Measures- 800L
Guided Reading- N
Six Traits plus One- Presentation, Word Choice and Sentence Fluency
Lexile Measures- 800L
Guided Reading- N
Six Traits plus One- Presentation, Word Choice and Sentence Fluency
May 30, 2022
Interesting book about a girls journey into the country and the issues they face waiting for a "green" card. I think this could work well for MWM when doing a project relating to immigrants or refugees.
July 24, 2023
When I picked this up, I didn't realize it was historical fiction, set in the 1960s (mirroring the author's own experiences immigrating to America) though I assume wait times for green cards are similar if not a longer wait. Colorful illustrations.
December 29, 2017
There are certain things I like about this book, and certain things I dislike. I haven’t decided one way or the other yet...
December 10, 2018
I've read this book many times and it gives me all the feels each time.
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April 20, 2021text set
April 18, 2017
This book tells an inspiring and capturing story of a girl and her family entering the United States. This book is alluring yet suspenseful. With a new name, a new school, a new language, a new life, this story gives a whole new outlook of what it feels to be like a foreigner. I loved reading this book because I kind of saw myself in her; a little girl that’s finding her way into the lost crowd and eventually finding herself. I loved how this book provided a story with a clear picture and enhances our imagination as if you were there. I think the main point of this book is to have hope and to never give up. Though you may not have found who you are as a person just yet, keep chasing your dreams. Just like Hannah did, she didn’t stop. She had a positive outlook on her new life to America. Though there’s cons into moving into a new country, Hannah overlooked that and was not easily discouraged. This book will teach younger kids to keep pursuing though things might get hard.
October 19, 2016
Hannah is My Name is about a young immigrant girl that has moved to San Francisco from Taiwan. Her parents work hard, and are constantly worried about if they will get caught for not having their green cards. When her mom cries, Hannah tries her best to cheer her up. At once point in the book, the door man helps them hide from the police. Hannah and her parents eventually gets their green cards in the mail and can now live without worrying. This book goes with my Asian Immigrant topic because this is a reality for many immigrant children. The fact of the matter is, young students go through very very tough situations like this and probably feel alone. I like how this book can help those students identify themselves with someone even if it's a character in a story.
This book had many great qualities. There were vibrant colors used making the pages more engaging. The illustrations were very unique and detailed which made it fun to look at as well. The plot was very deep...and maybe even too deep for children to fully understand. However, I think it is good for students to know of the real life hardships their immigrant friends could be going through. This book is very culturally rich because it shows pictures of Taiwan and things Taiwanese immigrants go through when they move to America. I liked in this book how diverse the characters were. There was Mr. Choo who helps them with their papers, Mr. Goodman who hires her dad despite not having a green card, and the door man who helps them hide from police. This book is a combination of realistic fiction and historical fiction.
This book had many great qualities. There were vibrant colors used making the pages more engaging. The illustrations were very unique and detailed which made it fun to look at as well. The plot was very deep...and maybe even too deep for children to fully understand. However, I think it is good for students to know of the real life hardships their immigrant friends could be going through. This book is very culturally rich because it shows pictures of Taiwan and things Taiwanese immigrants go through when they move to America. I liked in this book how diverse the characters were. There was Mr. Choo who helps them with their papers, Mr. Goodman who hires her dad despite not having a green card, and the door man who helps them hide from police. This book is a combination of realistic fiction and historical fiction.
October 7, 2008
Hannah is from China and her Chinese name is Na-Li which means beautiful. Her family came to America and plan to stay and make it their home. Hannah struggles with the fact that it is not easy to become an American if you are not born here. This book talks about all the different struggles that the family faces when they arrive in America. The family must recieve green cards in order to have jobs to ensure inspectors that make surprise visits. Hannah is in first grade and is in the process of learning English. On the first day of school all she could say was "Hannah is my name" and eventually she feels more comfortable talking in school. The family struggles with the fact that their green cards have not came after they have lived in America for a year. Eventually the green cards come and American is their new home for good.
Activities
1. What If: the students will write in a journal about how Hannah must feel learning a new language, a new name, new school, etc. How would each of them deal with this situation?
2. Read to the students different stories in which children have moved to America. Then compare and constrast the two stories and what similarities and differences are among these children that are moving to America.
Activities
1. What If: the students will write in a journal about how Hannah must feel learning a new language, a new name, new school, etc. How would each of them deal with this situation?
2. Read to the students different stories in which children have moved to America. Then compare and constrast the two stories and what similarities and differences are among these children that are moving to America.
March 9, 2015
Hannah's family moves from Taiwan to San Francisco in 1967 in hope for a better life. As soon as they arrive, they are told to go to Chinatown to fill out immigration papers so they could mail it out and receive their green cards. While waiting for their green cards, Hannah's mother gets fired because her boss found out that they did not have a green card. However, Hannah's father got hired at a hotel because he saved someone's life and because he had an "honest face". Hannah's father's boss said that he would help Hannah's father by keeping him safe while the authorities came who sometimes checked the workers' green cards. Eventually, Hannah and her family finally get a green card (about a year later).
This book was so realistic and relatable because there are a majority of immigrants who experience this. Having to work without a green card is not always guaranteed nor can they be protected. The illustrations in this book were well matched with the text as well as accurate with the plot and characters. By reading this book, the students will be exposed to multiple perspectives as well. Hannah's family's lifestyle is also well portrayed and genuine. Nothing was sugarcoated.
Genre: autobiography
This book was so realistic and relatable because there are a majority of immigrants who experience this. Having to work without a green card is not always guaranteed nor can they be protected. The illustrations in this book were well matched with the text as well as accurate with the plot and characters. By reading this book, the students will be exposed to multiple perspectives as well. Hannah's family's lifestyle is also well portrayed and genuine. Nothing was sugarcoated.
Genre: autobiography
April 7, 2011
This book reminded me so much of "My Name is Yoon." This story was very helpful for me as a growing teacher, but I am not entirely sure I would read it in class. Throughout the story, Hannah and her parents are very nervous about getting their green cards and on the lookout for the men in uniforms, who try to find immigrants without the cards. This could be confusing to students who do not understand what green cards are, and although this can be discussed, I'm not sure if it is the best thing to talk about with students until they reach a mature, understanding level. It can be very confusing and difficult, especially since Hannah is afraid in this book. However, I got to imagine what it can be like for immigrants coming to America and the new things they have to adapt to and learn. It was helpful for me to read and think about, yet I am not sure if I will share it in my classroom or not.
September 2, 2013
Theme: "Immigrant Experience Picturebook"
This book does an excellent job of portraying the lives of a Chinese family who is attempting to become citizens of the United States. Although the family ultimately is granted green cards and the freedom to stay in the United States, the process takes a while. The fact that the green card process took a while really appealed to me because it is extremely realistic as to what many immigrant families go through while trying to gain citizenship rights to the U.S. This is a wonderful story for children of all ages, especially those who are immigrants. "Hannah is my name" demonstrates that just because some families are not born citizens of the United States, does not mean they do not have the right to experience freedom and equality. This is an excellent story that all children should read but most importantly, those children who are adapting to a monumental change.
This book does an excellent job of portraying the lives of a Chinese family who is attempting to become citizens of the United States. Although the family ultimately is granted green cards and the freedom to stay in the United States, the process takes a while. The fact that the green card process took a while really appealed to me because it is extremely realistic as to what many immigrant families go through while trying to gain citizenship rights to the U.S. This is a wonderful story for children of all ages, especially those who are immigrants. "Hannah is my name" demonstrates that just because some families are not born citizens of the United States, does not mean they do not have the right to experience freedom and equality. This is an excellent story that all children should read but most importantly, those children who are adapting to a monumental change.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2015
I liked this book, but it was long for a read aloud. I liked that it showed how a illegal immigrant felt while waiting for their visa. It had a child talk about it, which made it feel like less of an adult topic. I especially liked the scene where they got their green cards, and they were blue. I also liked the scene where they were running away from immigration people. I would use this book to talk about illegal immigration.
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/bo...
Interest Level
Grades 3 - 5
Reading Level
Grade level Equivalent: 3.5
Lexile® Measure: 800L
DRA: 30
Guided Reading: N
Theme/Subject
Social Studies
Animals
Character and Values
Asian and Asian American
Geography and Map Skills
Friends and Friendship
Awards http://www.papertigers.org/wordpress/...
2004), selected as a National Council for the Social Studies Notable Book for Young People
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/bo...
Interest Level
Grades 3 - 5
Reading Level
Grade level Equivalent: 3.5
Lexile® Measure: 800L
DRA: 30
Guided Reading: N
Theme/Subject
Social Studies
Animals
Character and Values
Asian and Asian American
Geography and Map Skills
Friends and Friendship
Awards http://www.papertigers.org/wordpress/...
2004), selected as a National Council for the Social Studies Notable Book for Young People
March 7, 2015
I love Belle Yang's book Hannah is My Name. The gouache illustrations are vivid and emotional, and the text is descriptive, honest, and heartfelt.
The book's opening line reads, "Hannah is my name in this new country. It doesn't sound at all like my Chinese name, Na-Li, which means beautiful." Yang writes the fictionalized immigrant story of the Lin family's journey from Taiwan to San Francisco in the United States in 1967 and the family's joys of living in a nation where "we will be free to say what we think" and "free to be anything" but also the stresses of living as undocumented immigrants while waiting for approval of their green card status and the consquences of being undocumented on work, school, and social life.
I have never read a (fairly) contemporary immigrant story quite like this and will happily add it to my classroom collection.
The book's opening line reads, "Hannah is my name in this new country. It doesn't sound at all like my Chinese name, Na-Li, which means beautiful." Yang writes the fictionalized immigrant story of the Lin family's journey from Taiwan to San Francisco in the United States in 1967 and the family's joys of living in a nation where "we will be free to say what we think" and "free to be anything" but also the stresses of living as undocumented immigrants while waiting for approval of their green card status and the consquences of being undocumented on work, school, and social life.
I have never read a (fairly) contemporary immigrant story quite like this and will happily add it to my classroom collection.
May 8, 2014
Hannah has just moved to a new country, new home, and new neighborhood. A lot of things are new, but she realizes that her parents have moved to America to have a better life. As Hannah adjust to her new surroundings, she is trying to adjust to her new name too. She takes the reader on a journey into her new world. Eventually Hannah embraces her American name while still cherishing her Taiwan name, Na-Li. This is just a fun book that I love to read. Typically I read this book at the beginning of the year to discuss the meaning of our names and encourage students to find out the origin of their names. It is a great ice breaker for kiddos. However, I used this book recently when we were discussing character traits.
February 15, 2008
The illustrations are beautiful and the story is heartfelt and educational too. But, the story is autobiographical about a girl from China who moves with her parents to San Francisco in the mid-late 1960s. I found this especially interesting since I was a teenager in San Francisco during that period. But, even though the immigration experience is timeless, I do wonder if today’s young kids would find it as interesting. I loved history when I was a kid so maybe so. I guess it’s just that I expected a contemporary story.
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