Our Stories Carried Us Here

by Julie Vang (Editor), Nate Powell (cover_art), Tom Kaczynski (Illustrator)

A bold and unconventional collection of first-person stories told and illustrated by immigrants and refugees living across the United States.

Stanford scientist, deaf student, indigenous activist, Black entrepreneur, DACA student—all immigrants and refugees—recount journeys from their home countries in ten vibrant and diverse illustrated stories. Faced by unfamiliar vistas, they are welcomed with possibilities, and confronted by challenges and prejudice. Our Stories Carried Us Here: A Graphic Novel Anthology surfaces the depth of storytelling that is authentic, unapologetic, and real with complex and difficult issues.

Timely, sobering, and insightful, Our Stories Carried Us Here acts as a mirror and a light to connect us all with immigrant and refugee experiences.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Nonfiction, Comics, Biography, Memoir, Short Stories, Anthologies

201 pages, Hardcover

Published August 31, 2021

Reviews

[s.penkevich [hiatus-will return-miss you all] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stories are important. They pass down knowledge, remind us who we are and where we came from, document and deliver cultural context and memory. ‘Stories are a communal currency of humanity,’ wrote Tahir Shah. Another reason telling and documenting stories matters is because it reminds us of our shared humanity, or, as Maya Angelou wrote ‘when the storyteller tells the truth, she reminds us that human beings are more alike than unalike.’ Which is why the graphic novel Our Stories Carried Us Here is such a moving and important anthology as it gives immigrants to the United States from all over the world the space to tell their stories through both words and images. To document their truths and have them heard. Here, each storyteller is paired with a different illustrator, creating a range of styles and art as diverse as those involved in creating this beautiful book and their stories. The storytellers tell of their lives before and after immigrating, going on to do a wide range of things that reminds us there is no wrong way to be an immigrant and that all should be welcomed and valid.

There is a really cool range of styles and stories here, such as indigenous activists, scientists, DACA recipients, and even a boy from Kazakhstan who, at the time of publishing, is a junior in high school still looking to see what his future life will bring. It’s fun to go from story to story with such different art and style, which keeps things fresh and fun while traversing this very emotional collection. Check out the countries of origins for those involved:


Thi Bui, author of The Best We Could Do, provides a wonderful introduction reminding us that the US can be a very hostile place towards immigrants and refugees, and this book asks us to see ‘the beauty of what people seek when they cross the world in search of a new home, of what people who have peace take for granted.’ These stories take us through scenes of war and other bloodshed, religious oppression and genocides, and follow the lives of people simply wanting ‘to live a life just like anyone else.’ What matters to them most is keeping their loved ones safe and being together, which, unfortunately, can be many years before everyone is in the same place again.


These stories chronicle the struggles of adapting, being forever leaving and never arriving, or ‘to exist in the nowhere of the arrival terminal,’ as poet Solmaz Sharif writes of the status of never feeling fully welcomed into a new country but not having a country to return to. These stories show the difficulties of language barriers, learning to adapt to social norms, and, sadly, the xenophobic violence and harrassment they may face as well as violence from police. There are stories about gentrification driving out those in need of affordable housing, but also stories of communities banding together and supporting one another.


Our Stories Carried Us Here is a very necessary and moving collection, and a huge shoutout to Green Card Voices, the wonderful Minneapolis-based indie publisher who brought this book to life and advocates for immigrants. They travel the country collecting stories such as these to document, bear witness, and share with others. This book will appeal to young teens all the way through adulthood, making it a very accessible collection. Many of these stories are heartbreaking, but there is always the hope of survival that uplifts, and I am very glad this story exists for people to read (and look at) these amazing stories.

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a beautiful, accessible, and heart-expanding invitation for us to learn the stories of some of our neighbors. I hope that many will accept this invitation, and channel the understanding and care that is sure to follow into becoming better listeners, community members and neighbors who welcome and support one another.

[Ashley Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

So unique. Stories told and illustrated by immigrants to the United States. It's written at a level that can be enjoyed by young readers, ESL, and fluent English readers alike. And a very good cause as well: Green Card Voices is a Minnesota nonprofit that records the first-person narratives of immigrants and advocates for this community.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend this #ownvoices collection of stories from immigrants and refugees coming to the US. It is past time that we look at how our country welcomes and cares for those with different backgrounds. These stories need to be heard. This anthology is raw, honest, and yet, also hopeful. What incredible adversity some of these contributors overcame to create a new life for themselves and their family, and what accomplishments, richness, and depth they have added to our culture. I like how the different styles of art added to the diversity of experiences.

[Siobhan Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the variety of stories and art styles. The stories were interesting and I'd love to know more about how they paired up authors and artists since they were interesting pairings. Definitely wish the stories had been longer but the stories they did tell were fascinating. Special mention to Zaynab Abdi's story for getting the book of to such a strong start and to Ruth Mekoulom's story that was so unique and will stick with me for a while.

[Samantha Denman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a great HS required reading!!

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful and diverse stories about American immigrants, with a range of experiences. I also enjoyed the illustrations - too many non- fiction graphic novels have very basic and flat computer graphics, while most of these were very expressive and some downright beautiful.

My only wish is that an editor had asked a few clarifying questions. For instance, how old were Zaynab and her sister when they immigrated, if her mother had won the lottery 16 years earlier? Just a few places where I had questions or could see where an additional sentence might help someone less familiar with modern immigration policy.

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Multiple immigrant stories of people from all of the world and how they ended up in the US, also illustrated by immigrants. There are some ways their stories are alike, but every story is also unique.

[kaitlphere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, varied combination of stories and artists. It's enlightening to read all the different experiences of the writers, both about how they came to the US and about their experiences there.

[Josie Grooms · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no idea where I picked this book up, but it’s fantastic! Wonderfully illustrated, personal stories, I thought it was great!

[Bridget · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe more 3.5 stars. Some stories I loved and some were more underwhelming. I’m using this with my students, and they’re enjoying it. That’s what I hoped for!

[Kate Mester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a must for MS & HS library collections. This unique anthology would be helpful in 8th-10th grade ELA & SS classrooms as well.

[Kendall Jaggars · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who typically does not read graphic novels, this was incredible. As kids, we are taught to always think graphic novels are meant for the "dumb kids" and are told to pick more challenging books. Now that I am older, to know that graphic novels are still an enriching option is amazing. This book surprised me in so many ways. What I loved most about "Our Stories Carried Us Here" was how unique each of the stories was. Although they all center around the theme of immigration, the way the different authors tell each story, and the uniqueness of each style of illustration really highlight how personal each story is. You get to see their experiences and their personal struggles while at the same time immersing yourself in what they went through, making it feel like you are right there with them. This book also gives you a massive amount of perspective. Each of these stories tells the true immigrant experience and also shows that the American Dream isn’t always as it seems. In my opinion, this book was a quick and enjoyable read. Through this book, I found that I was able to gain a deeper understanding of what people have gone through and still go through as they travel to America to escape whatever may be behind them in their home country. Looking back on my time reading, I will definitely remember these stories.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Our Stories Carried Us Here, is an incredible collaboration of authors and illustrators that illuminates the experience of otherness felt by immigrants and refugees. This graphic novel is a powerful affirmation of the way stories foster empathy and connection, and provides a greater sense of how to understand and welcome our new neighbors.”


—Molly Hill, Editor of Blue Marble Review: A Literary Journal for Young Writers

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting collection of stories from people who have immigrated to the United States for whatever reason they have.

This is put together by a group calling themselves "Green Card Collective".

After each story, there is a glossary with terms that the average reader might not know the meaning for, such as, well Green Card, which is the card that is issued to people who are permanent residents, and have the right to hold a job, without having to get a visa. The card is called that because it used to be green, but is now blue.

The stories are of people from all over. Some had to come with just the clothes on their back, or had to leave their relatives behind. Others followed lovers. Others came for an education. It is a wide variation, but all of them left home.

Good perspective on what drives people to come.

[wildct2003 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good collection of stories about moving to the upper Midwest from outside the United States

[Mickey Bits · Rating 1 out of 5]

I reluctantly slogged through this whole book searching for perhaps a single interesting story. As foreshadowed by the quality of the preceding chapters I was sadly, though not unexpectedly let down. If you're interested in another hackneyed rehash of the hostile tropes of the George Floyd Summer of 2020 this one hits the bullseye. Everyone else can spend their valuable time doing something else.

Immigrant has terrible life somewhere else and endures tribulations and hardships before finally ending up in America... only to encounter perceived xenophobes and alleged racists. The newcomers are quick to criticize American culture when it turns out not to be the exact Shangri-la they had expected. How nice to be free to actually criticize. I can't help but notice glaring dearth of appreciation of the new home. There is almost no mention of trying to fit in and adjust to the new culture, just complaints that it isn't more like the culture they left.

The artwork is passable but the writing is terrible. Predictable, pedestrian and totally uninteresting. I finished this book on May Day, but certainly didn't plan it that way.

[Robert Hultman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good collection of stories with some great artwork, varied potential discussion topics, as well as some launch points for further learning. The stories could be more impactful at times in their delivery, so that they come off less as just some vaguely interesting life stories, and more like the examples of overcoming adversity that they are. Maybe some research alongside the creator profiles to help readers understand the reality and context of the story and what it is typically like for similar people in the same situation. Well worth the money for the Kickstarter campaign.

[Linda 😊 Tam · Rating 3 out of 5]

The reader would be forgiven for coming to the conclusion that US law requires all immigrants to settle in Minnesota. The stories were diverse (except in the immigrants’ uniform shock at encountering snow) and interesting, with a variety of artistic styles. I appreciated the glossary that accompanied each story, but there were still some things that I didn’t understand. For example, one immigrant mentioned how prices are so much different in the United States than in her country, but I couldn’t tell whether she was saying costs are higher in the US, or lower, or just some other distinction.

[Carissa Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can’t wait to add this beautiful, intentionally-diverse and perspective-taking graphic novel anthology to our library collection, as well as follow the works of Green Card Voices (GCV) books. A collection of various stories from different authors (paired with illustrators from similar linguistic, cultural and regional backgrounds) with varying passions, backgrounds, styles, and struggles, & yet a common quality of perseverance and activism for social justice.

[Sesana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of short stories about immigrant experiences in the US, turned into comics. There's a good range of experiences here, both geographically and in age and circumstances. One writer is still in high school, and another has a PhD. The writing is largely simple, which I think is on purpose to make this book more accessible to English language learners. The stories are powerful and fascinating, and very worth the read.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I appreciate what the Green Card Voices project is doing to spread numerous stories of immigrants and refugees. However, the stories often felt too short and scripted. They told their story but almost had to end on a hopeful note, which sometimes felt like it glossed over the hardship and racism experienced and flattened the story. I still appreciate the book and learned quite a bit. There was also some potent parts that will stick with me for a while.

[Mark Vukovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Broadened my perspective of the modern immigration experience. I don't understand why anyone would want to come here with the way that the rednecks in this country treat others. This book does a good job of addressing intersectionality and I feel that I have a better understanding of what it means to an international student when they enter the US educational system.

[Briana Kale · Rating 3 out of 5]

The stories and art are interest are varied - I’m not all that well versed in comic/ graphic novel conventions- but this seems a pretty basic collection. I don’t find myself moved. Since I was reading to find selections that might work in the classroom, I have to say I didn’t find that value here. I was hoping for more, either an emotional or an analytical/ craft conversation.

[Mishka · Rating 5 out of 5]

One thing I love about being part of so many book clubs on social media is getting recommendations of books to read. If not for social media, I never would have read this book. It’s an anthology of people who immigrated to the U.S and it was absolutely brilliant. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I highly recommend this book.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible variety of stories and artists. I will be using this book in my classroom someday as it seems a great one for building empathy and highlighting the diversity of immigrant and refugee narratives.

[Sarah Skorupa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obsessed. I was so sad when it was over. It's so amazing and interesting to hear stories from different countries and by different authors and illustrators. Amazing. The only didn't like was when it was over

[Jaclyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

It can be hard to rate memoir or short story style collections. As is true in most, I liked some stories more than others. I did like seeing the way the immigrant experience through many different eyes

[Erin Wuebker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cool anthology. The stories were all pretty different. I like that they included a little bio for the writer and artist. Also includes a glossary for each story, so would work well for students. I’m from Minnesota and a lot of the stories had Minnesota connections.

[Flesha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Glimpses into a number of immigrants lives. This book offers a great launching point for discussions about immigration. My only complaint is that some of the language is a little bit stilted. Otherwise a fabulous book.