What do you think?
Rate this book
Finding Home: The Journey of Immigrants and Refugees
What drives people to search for new homes? From war zones to politics, there are many reasons why people have always searched for a place to call home. In Finding The Journey of Immigrants and Refugees we discover how human migration has shaped our world. We explore its origins and the current issues facing immigrants and refugees today, and we hear the first-hand stories of people who have moved across the globe looking for safety, security and happiness. Author Jen Sookfong Lee shares her personal experience of growing up as the child of immigrants and gives a human face to the realities of being an immigrant or refugee today.
- GenresNonfictionChildrens
120 pages, Hardcover
Published March 16, 2021
6 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
Jen Sookfong Lee
15 books176 followersJen Sookfong Lee writes, talks on the radio and loves her slow cooker.
In 2007, Knopf Canada published Jen’s first novel, The End of East, as part of its New Face of Fiction program. Hailed as “an emotional powerhouse of a novel,” The End of East shines a light on the Chinese Canadian story, the repercussions of immigration and the city of Vancouver.
Shelter, Jen’s first fiction for young adults, was published in February 2011 as part of Annick Press’ Single Voice series. It follows a young girl as she struggles to balance her first and dangerous love affair with a difficult and demanding family.
Called “straight-ahead page-turning brilliance” by The National Post and shortlisted for the City of Vancouver Book Award, The Better Mother, Jen’s sophomore novel, was published by Knopf in May 2011. Set in Vancouver during the mid-20th century and early 1980s, The Better Mother is about the accidental friendship between Miss Val, a longtime burlesque dancer, and Danny Lim, a wedding photographer trying to reconcile his past with his present.
A popular radio personality, Jen was the writing columnist for CBC Radio One’s On the Coast and All Points West for three years. She appears regularly as a columnist on The Next Chapter and Definitely Not the Opera, and is a frequent co-host of the Studio One Book Club. Jen is a member of the writing group SPiN and is represented by the Carolyn Swayze Literary Agency.
Born and raised in East Vancouver, Jen now lives in North Burnaby with her husband, son and hoodlum of a dog.
In 2007, Knopf Canada published Jen’s first novel, The End of East, as part of its New Face of Fiction program. Hailed as “an emotional powerhouse of a novel,” The End of East shines a light on the Chinese Canadian story, the repercussions of immigration and the city of Vancouver.
Shelter, Jen’s first fiction for young adults, was published in February 2011 as part of Annick Press’ Single Voice series. It follows a young girl as she struggles to balance her first and dangerous love affair with a difficult and demanding family.
Called “straight-ahead page-turning brilliance” by The National Post and shortlisted for the City of Vancouver Book Award, The Better Mother, Jen’s sophomore novel, was published by Knopf in May 2011. Set in Vancouver during the mid-20th century and early 1980s, The Better Mother is about the accidental friendship between Miss Val, a longtime burlesque dancer, and Danny Lim, a wedding photographer trying to reconcile his past with his present.
A popular radio personality, Jen was the writing columnist for CBC Radio One’s On the Coast and All Points West for three years. She appears regularly as a columnist on The Next Chapter and Definitely Not the Opera, and is a frequent co-host of the Studio One Book Club. Jen is a member of the writing group SPiN and is represented by the Carolyn Swayze Literary Agency.
Born and raised in East Vancouver, Jen now lives in North Burnaby with her husband, son and hoodlum of a dog.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 26, 2020
“Refugee and immigrants, like all of us, are looking for a place to settle in which their families can grow and be happy. This journey, which can span the globe or cross a border, is one that touches us all.”
I didn’t know what to expect before I read this book but it was surprisingly more of a short textbook about immigration. It even had definitions related to immigration. As someone who is educated about immigration to a great extent, I didn’t really learn anything new that I haven’t read/heard about already but it would be great for anyone who wants to educate themselves even farther on matters related to immigration. The short mini-biographies of immigrants were also a nice touch to make the book even more unique and special.
As someone who is also an immigrant of color, it was nice to read about the short biographies of immigrants and even the truthfully historical facts that most textbooks try to beat around the bush and avoid addressing was nice to see in a book designed as a children’s/middle grade nonfiction book! If more nonfictional books for children and middle grades were like these, it would be a great way for parents/educators to discuss immigration to their children/students at a young age.
There were some things I wished the book addressed though. It’s mostly lacking on the historical roots as to why the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, and the Syrian Civil War started. But it goes over historical facts that still gets the point on why refugees from these countries have immigrated to different countries for asylum. The book also briefly mentions the Philippines but I wished they added some more in-depth historical facts as to why Filipinos would wish to immigrate. One last concern was how the book didn’t have the politically term for “illegal immigrants.” While I agree addressing the topic as to why immigrants who have migrated in a non-conventional way is an important topic to highlight especially since the topic is about immigration, I wished it also corrected itself later on by also calling “illegal immigrants” as undocumented immigrants.
Although it is incomplete to some extent, I still like how the book mentions the real atrocities that marginalized communities have/are experiencing as an effect of colonialism, slavery and racism. The book goes in-depth in addressing both the positive and negative consequences of colonialism. I like that it even calls out leaders who were heroified by US textbooks and US history overall previously (still some US textbooks today) that they were also very racist and xenophobic leaders, (I’m looking at you thomas jefferson). The author addresses these difficult topics in an age-appropriate way for readers at a young age. That is why, this book is good for parents/educators to use as a guide to address immigration. Make sure to add and fill-in anything that the book is missing though, but overall, a great nonfictional book for children/students.
I didn’t know what to expect before I read this book but it was surprisingly more of a short textbook about immigration. It even had definitions related to immigration. As someone who is educated about immigration to a great extent, I didn’t really learn anything new that I haven’t read/heard about already but it would be great for anyone who wants to educate themselves even farther on matters related to immigration. The short mini-biographies of immigrants were also a nice touch to make the book even more unique and special.
As someone who is also an immigrant of color, it was nice to read about the short biographies of immigrants and even the truthfully historical facts that most textbooks try to beat around the bush and avoid addressing was nice to see in a book designed as a children’s/middle grade nonfiction book! If more nonfictional books for children and middle grades were like these, it would be a great way for parents/educators to discuss immigration to their children/students at a young age.
There were some things I wished the book addressed though. It’s mostly lacking on the historical roots as to why the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, and the Syrian Civil War started. But it goes over historical facts that still gets the point on why refugees from these countries have immigrated to different countries for asylum. The book also briefly mentions the Philippines but I wished they added some more in-depth historical facts as to why Filipinos would wish to immigrate. One last concern was how the book didn’t have the politically term for “illegal immigrants.” While I agree addressing the topic as to why immigrants who have migrated in a non-conventional way is an important topic to highlight especially since the topic is about immigration, I wished it also corrected itself later on by also calling “illegal immigrants” as undocumented immigrants.
Although it is incomplete to some extent, I still like how the book mentions the real atrocities that marginalized communities have/are experiencing as an effect of colonialism, slavery and racism. The book goes in-depth in addressing both the positive and negative consequences of colonialism. I like that it even calls out leaders who were heroified by US textbooks and US history overall previously (still some US textbooks today) that they were also very racist and xenophobic leaders, (I’m looking at you thomas jefferson). The author addresses these difficult topics in an age-appropriate way for readers at a young age. That is why, this book is good for parents/educators to use as a guide to address immigration. Make sure to add and fill-in anything that the book is missing though, but overall, a great nonfictional book for children/students.
August 19, 2021
Finding Home is a children's informational book by Canadian writer Jen Sookfong Lee, written to explain what immigration is and define the meaning of refugees. What makes this book a little different from other nonfiction immigration works was that it included a lot of short profiles of everyday Canadian citizens who started as immigrants and refugees. They tell their stories of why they left and how they dealt with the changes in their new homes. In each chapter, Lee interlaced her own personal and family's experience of being immigrants as she discusses the good and bad views of immigration. Of course, this being a Canadian book, it mainly explains the society of Canada and its openness towards foreigners.
Written well, and made much more relatable with people's personal stories, readers would have this book very direct and informative of explaining the meaning of immigrations that will forever go on in the world. There are many real-life photos, hand-drawn illustrations, and resources on the back to use for further understanding.
Written well, and made much more relatable with people's personal stories, readers would have this book very direct and informative of explaining the meaning of immigrations that will forever go on in the world. There are many real-life photos, hand-drawn illustrations, and resources on the back to use for further understanding.
July 9, 2021
This new book is an essential addition to libraries and classrooms from upper elementary to middle grade and beyond. Enough information is provided on a universal level to expand understanding about what it means to immigrate or to be a refugee, but the real strength of this lightly illustrated and photo-documented collection of individual stories is the particularity of detail in each of the lives portrayed. the length of each of these short sections make it ideal for dipping in, sharing/comparing in group readings, and also for identifying likes/differences with people and circumstances from around the world. These are the ingredients for developing empathy, recognizing privilege, and using reliable information sources to reorganize the tidal wave of terms and attitudes flooding social media.
Wonderfully written and designed to appeal and to offer traditional reference structures within the format of this accessible new book.
Wonderfully written and designed to appeal and to offer traditional reference structures within the format of this accessible new book.
December 15, 2020
"Finding Home" (by Jen Sookfong Lee, ills. Drew Shannon) is a book filled with short stories and backgrounds on the purpose of finding a new home. From war zones to poverty, tyrannical leaders, the book explores these reasons.
I had to give it 4 stars because I wished it has given more details and historical backgrounds to certain issues. For example, the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict and the Syrian Civil War. I also felt they should have said "undocumented immigrants" vs "illegal immigrants" as it contributes to an offensive politically incorrect stereotype. Of course, I don't feel it was maliciously intended. The book feels incomplete in some ways, but I enjoyed how it mentions the atrocities that marginalized communities have/are experiencing as an effect of colonialism, slavery, and racism.
I do feel like this is a great nonfiction children's book to get kids started to explore to gain insight into the world.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Orca Book Publishers for the Arc in exchange for my honest review.
I had to give it 4 stars because I wished it has given more details and historical backgrounds to certain issues. For example, the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict and the Syrian Civil War. I also felt they should have said "undocumented immigrants" vs "illegal immigrants" as it contributes to an offensive politically incorrect stereotype. Of course, I don't feel it was maliciously intended. The book feels incomplete in some ways, but I enjoyed how it mentions the atrocities that marginalized communities have/are experiencing as an effect of colonialism, slavery, and racism.
I do feel like this is a great nonfiction children's book to get kids started to explore to gain insight into the world.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Orca Book Publishers for the Arc in exchange for my honest review.
October 21, 2021
Jen Sookfong Lee has curated an incredible and comprehensive resource all about immigrantion and the experience of immigrants in Canada in Finding Home: The Journey of Immigrants and Refugees.
Written for a middle grade audience, I would encourage readers who are middle grade and older to pick up this incredible resource. Jen Sookfong Lee provides incredible detail over four chapters delving into the history of human migrations, what it looks like today, racism and ant-immigration sentiments and what life is like for refugees and immigrants in their new homes.
This book is incredibly honest. Jen Sookfong Lee ensures that readers understand how immigration can be life saving and provide many opportunities but also highlights the ugly side of humans by clearly ensuring readers understand the impacts of colonization throughout the world, anti immigration policy and the racism experienced by immigrants and refugees in their new chosen countries. How arriving in a new country has its positives and negatives but ultimately, immigration is a positive not only for those coming to a new country but for the country itself.
Immigration is a very complex topic and this book breaks it down in a really easy to understand way. I really loved all of the boxes of text titled Moving On and Migration Facts breaking down extra interesting information relevant to the topic discussed in the larger text area. I also loved how each chapter ends with profiles of people who have come to Canada either as landed immigrants, refugees or asylum seekers. Providing readers with actual first hand accounts of real experiences shapes the book and provides concrete context to the experiences. There are so many people, children, families who will see their same experiences reflected through these first hand accounts.
The illustrations by Drew Shannon and the many photographs throughout the book show readers how much things have changed and the things still in great need of improvement.
Written for a middle grade audience, I would encourage readers who are middle grade and older to pick up this incredible resource. Jen Sookfong Lee provides incredible detail over four chapters delving into the history of human migrations, what it looks like today, racism and ant-immigration sentiments and what life is like for refugees and immigrants in their new homes.
This book is incredibly honest. Jen Sookfong Lee ensures that readers understand how immigration can be life saving and provide many opportunities but also highlights the ugly side of humans by clearly ensuring readers understand the impacts of colonization throughout the world, anti immigration policy and the racism experienced by immigrants and refugees in their new chosen countries. How arriving in a new country has its positives and negatives but ultimately, immigration is a positive not only for those coming to a new country but for the country itself.
Immigration is a very complex topic and this book breaks it down in a really easy to understand way. I really loved all of the boxes of text titled Moving On and Migration Facts breaking down extra interesting information relevant to the topic discussed in the larger text area. I also loved how each chapter ends with profiles of people who have come to Canada either as landed immigrants, refugees or asylum seekers. Providing readers with actual first hand accounts of real experiences shapes the book and provides concrete context to the experiences. There are so many people, children, families who will see their same experiences reflected through these first hand accounts.
The illustrations by Drew Shannon and the many photographs throughout the book show readers how much things have changed and the things still in great need of improvement.
January 14, 2022
4.5 - Excellent middle grade guide to the intricasies of immigration that clearly defines terms (such as 'migrant' and 'refugee') and encourages compassion and understanding through profiles of a wide variety of people from all over the globe. As I read this, all I could think is that young me would've loved to read this for a social studies unit instead of the dry, irrelevant texts they often use.
April 11, 2021
A great resource for middle school and older students on the basics of immigration. It doesn’t go into a lot of details about specific groups of immigrants but it’s a good overview for students and adults who may just be learning about immigration. ( I loved all the Canadian connections.)
November 10, 2025
Note: Read this book digitally, so this is specific to the digital version. The design of this book is scattered, sometimes confusing, and sometimes simply poorly done. For example, there is a picture of Indigenous children when the surrounding paragraphs are speaking about black slavery. There is a photo taken in portrait mode of kids sitting in chairs, that really should have been cropped, to better focus on the subjects. And, there’s an odd mix of photographs and illustrations of sizes that are just a bit off, that all simply seem to be plopped down onto a black background.
The author’s writing style flips at odd times, from informational, to personal accounts, and back again, making reading text a bit disconcerting, and makes the style feel immature.
This text has lots of good information (especially aligned for grade 5 BC curriculum), interesting stories of real people, and a local touch, but I won’t be using it as an example of strong writing or book design.
The author’s writing style flips at odd times, from informational, to personal accounts, and back again, making reading text a bit disconcerting, and makes the style feel immature.
This text has lots of good information (especially aligned for grade 5 BC curriculum), interesting stories of real people, and a local touch, but I won’t be using it as an example of strong writing or book design.
May 6, 2022
The profiles of immigrants and refugees were great.
March 5, 2024
This was a great nonfiction book for "kids." There are personal stories and facts intertwined. I enjoyed reading it.
July 9, 2024
So necessary. mentions of sex/sexual abuse/trafficking, and lots of hard truths throughout history
January 1, 2022
The five countries that receive the most asylum seekers are Turkey, Pakistan, Uganda, Sudan and Germany.
The five countries that resettle the most refugees are Canada, United States, Australia, United Kingdom and France.
In New York City there are 800 different languages spoken and 40% of the residents were born outside of the United States.
In London, England the, most commonly spoken languages are English, Bengali and Polish.
Making judgments about an entire religion, race or culture based on one visible difference is misinformed and can lead to racism.
Food is one way immigrants stay connected to their culture in a new country.
Every year 700,000 people from other countries become citizens of the United States.
Every year 200,000 people from other countries become citizens of Canada.
Every year 100,000 people become citizens of Australia.
Every year 100,000 international students come to Canada to study.
In 2018 Canada resettled 28,000 refugees, the most of any country in the world.
The five countries that resettle the most refugees are Canada, United States, Australia, United Kingdom and France.
In New York City there are 800 different languages spoken and 40% of the residents were born outside of the United States.
In London, England the, most commonly spoken languages are English, Bengali and Polish.
Making judgments about an entire religion, race or culture based on one visible difference is misinformed and can lead to racism.
Food is one way immigrants stay connected to their culture in a new country.
Every year 700,000 people from other countries become citizens of the United States.
Every year 200,000 people from other countries become citizens of Canada.
Every year 100,000 people become citizens of Australia.
Every year 100,000 international students come to Canada to study.
In 2018 Canada resettled 28,000 refugees, the most of any country in the world.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews