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New Kids in Town: Oral Histories of Immigrant Teens
They are teen immigrants. Thousands of them enter America each year, sometimes illegally. They have escaped war, poverty, and repression to carve out new lives in a new world. Here eleven of these young immigrants tell their stories in their own words.
You'll meet Abdul from Afghanistan, who entered America in the eighth grade not knowing a word of English. Now he wears stone-washed jeans and aviator glasses like other American kids, but keeps his Moslem faith. Xiaojun tells of her village farm in rural China, and her new home in New York's Chinatown. Von from Vietnam reveals how he and his father escaped from Saigon and traveled to safety with fifty others on a twelve-foot-long boat.
If you, too, have immigrated to this country, you'll see something of yourself in these true stories. If you were born in America, you'll learn more about your classmates. No matter what your background, you'll get to know some courageous young people you'll never forget.
You'll meet Abdul from Afghanistan, who entered America in the eighth grade not knowing a word of English. Now he wears stone-washed jeans and aviator glasses like other American kids, but keeps his Moslem faith. Xiaojun tells of her village farm in rural China, and her new home in New York's Chinatown. Von from Vietnam reveals how he and his father escaped from Saigon and traveled to safety with fifty others on a twelve-foot-long boat.
If you, too, have immigrated to this country, you'll see something of yourself in these true stories. If you were born in America, you'll learn more about your classmates. No matter what your background, you'll get to know some courageous young people you'll never forget.
- GenresBiographyNonfiction
126 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
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172 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
November 28, 2009
New Kids In Town is about immigrants who came to America legally and illegaly. It shows how hard the life was at the beginning and how slowly it started getting better. I like all of the stories in the book the one that I think is really strong is the last one- about Von, who is 20 years old from Vietnam. Von and his father had gone though a lot of things to get to America- they were attacked by pirates, kept in a shelter on an island, etc.
During reading this book, I made a text-to-self connection. All of these stories remind me of how hard it was to get documents for ex.- passport and visa so you could get to America. Even that I didn't come with a ship to America I think I know how the immigrants felt.
I would definitely give this book 5 stars because I really like how every immigrant has his own story and how they explain the things that happen, because when you are reading the book you actually imagine what happened to them. I would recommend this book to people that like immigrant stories.
During reading this book, I made a text-to-self connection. All of these stories remind me of how hard it was to get documents for ex.- passport and visa so you could get to America. Even that I didn't come with a ship to America I think I know how the immigrants felt.
I would definitely give this book 5 stars because I really like how every immigrant has his own story and how they explain the things that happen, because when you are reading the book you actually imagine what happened to them. I would recommend this book to people that like immigrant stories.
September 6, 2019
This book is 30 years old (1989). So has biographical stories of 20th century teen immigrants and refugees (legal and illegal) in their first years in the United States of America (U.S.A.), but is still relevant in the 21rst century with our continuing immigration. This is on an 8th grade middle school reading level. The last story about escaping the Viet Cong before the one young man came here reminded me of all the real life dystopias there were in the world during the 20th century. If you like real life true teen stories or the topic of immigration and immigrant life in the U.S.A. you will enjoy this book.
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September 9, 2018Crazy how it’s been 30 years since this book was published, and it is still incredibly relevant. Will use pieces as a connected informational text when I teach Esperanza Rising this fall.
June 10, 2013
I thought this was really good because it was a story about each immigrant and how their life was in the United States. Each chapter was a different story told by a different child telling the reader how they had to adapt to the different changes. It provided us information about what they missed about their hometown, but still kept a positive mindset. In my opinion, I think that any type of reader would enjoy this book. But mostly readers who enjoy reading biographies because this is what this book consist mostly of.
May 12, 2013
Page 14:
"Now once again Congress is debating the issue of who should be allowed in and who should be left out. And to this day, some of our residents - some of the children and grandchildren of yesterday's immigrants - want to close the borders to our future arrivals. Once inside, some people develop a kind of collective amnesia, forgetting their own immigrant roots. We forget that our country's power and beauty stems from the very fact that we are a collection of different cultures."
"Now once again Congress is debating the issue of who should be allowed in and who should be left out. And to this day, some of our residents - some of the children and grandchildren of yesterday's immigrants - want to close the borders to our future arrivals. Once inside, some people develop a kind of collective amnesia, forgetting their own immigrant roots. We forget that our country's power and beauty stems from the very fact that we are a collection of different cultures."
August 25, 2021
With me reading this book,New Kids In Town oral histories about teen immigrants. It was a very amazing book to read I must say if any of these story were about me how they went though part of their life like that is so sad and how they had to experience part of their life of this book but also this book also is something that could to a lot of people could say this " its a very very sad book and etc" but it is but how the characters had to push their OWN lives like that I don't even think i would be able to go through something like that it seems very rough on living and at of all those countries they went to because either apparently war, rough conditions, or starting a new life,also their parents on making or wanting them to go to a different school so they can pursue their dream. This book was so heartfelt and I felt like almost crying about this but truly if you ever would read this this a very good book to read about teen/children from coming across somewhere across from the world or from different nation/state it is very amazing on how hard they tried to stay brave. If I was them I would be so proud. :)
November 5, 2024
I'm 18, and I moved with my parents to a country where they work. Never have I ever felt connected to the stories written in a book as these kids wanted to move to the USA to find a better life.
I thank this book for letting me know the feeling of 'sonder.' Each unique experience, from escaping war to getting through life without a dad, helped me picture this world greater than my perspective. For a moment, even as a child of OFW parents, I did not feel alone with my problems; these kids back then empowered me to find my own way despite crushing setbacks and life-altering sacrifices they had to make.
Bullying by American kids was the most common experience I've read from the stories and it hurts to know how what they mean when they should fit in more and imitate the kids who bully them so they won't be treated differently.
For every kid who felt significant life changes because of moving to a new country or leaving their old ones behind, this one is most especially for you.
I thank this book for letting me know the feeling of 'sonder.' Each unique experience, from escaping war to getting through life without a dad, helped me picture this world greater than my perspective. For a moment, even as a child of OFW parents, I did not feel alone with my problems; these kids back then empowered me to find my own way despite crushing setbacks and life-altering sacrifices they had to make.
Bullying by American kids was the most common experience I've read from the stories and it hurts to know how what they mean when they should fit in more and imitate the kids who bully them so they won't be treated differently.
For every kid who felt significant life changes because of moving to a new country or leaving their old ones behind, this one is most especially for you.
October 30, 2024
This book was published in 1989, but it is still so relevant today. The stories inside of it really helped me understand some specific immigrant experiences, something I think is of the utmost importance.
One of my favorite quotes was from a 14 year old Mexican immigrant, "They forget that [the United States is] made up of people from many countries and cultures who emigrated here. The United States has prospered because of its immigrants."
One of my favorite quotes was from a 14 year old Mexican immigrant, "They forget that [the United States is] made up of people from many countries and cultures who emigrated here. The United States has prospered because of its immigrants."
July 11, 2018
Read this before sticking it in my LFL. Most of the kids came across the border illegally, but the first one is an Afghan refugee and the last one is a Vietnamese refugee who comes to Detroit and is sponsored by a synagogue!
I'ts an old book (1989) but it's so interesting to see commonalities with nowadays.
I'ts an old book (1989) but it's so interesting to see commonalities with nowadays.
August 20, 2018
Short interviews with teens that came to America sometimes illegally so names or places are changed. It’s older but the stories didn’t feel terribly dated. It would be nice since it’s been almost 30 years to see how any of them faired in the long run.
October 26, 2020
I really liked this book because it talks about immigrant teens, but I wish that it would have had the real details about what really happened and I also wished that the author wouldn't have changed some of the details. But overall it was a really good book!
March 17, 2020
Used this book in the late 90's in my junior high ESL class. Very interesting how things haven't really changed much.
Think I'll figure out how to use this as a book study during the shut down.
Think I'll figure out how to use this as a book study during the shut down.
June 7, 2010
It's funny but I had this listed on a swapping site I use for a long time now - because I had only glanced at it and I thought it was a bio about that awful boy band New Kids on the Block! I guess I only saw the 'New Kids' and those squares with a pic inside each one - just the way the "boys" always did. :)
Anyway, when I came to realize that this wasn't, in fact, about a bunch of non-singing "kid/men" that I couldn't care any less about I pulled it out.
New Kids in Town is very obviously for the younger audience but I still got some things out of it. It can be read very fast by an adult, I'm sure even by a young person too. I liked the diversity and I liked that besides the one or two paragraphs by Janet Bode about the country being represented the stories were in the kids own words.
I'm keeping this for when Julia gets older - I think knowing what other kids have gone through/go through can really help an American child/pre-teen understand a little better and hopefully be more understanding towards other people. I was shocked, at 32 years old, at what some of these children had to deal with and what they escaped from. And then to come here and struggle and be treated harshly by the American children - it's awful.....
Anyway, when I came to realize that this wasn't, in fact, about a bunch of non-singing "kid/men" that I couldn't care any less about I pulled it out.
New Kids in Town is very obviously for the younger audience but I still got some things out of it. It can be read very fast by an adult, I'm sure even by a young person too. I liked the diversity and I liked that besides the one or two paragraphs by Janet Bode about the country being represented the stories were in the kids own words.
I'm keeping this for when Julia gets older - I think knowing what other kids have gone through/go through can really help an American child/pre-teen understand a little better and hopefully be more understanding towards other people. I was shocked, at 32 years old, at what some of these children had to deal with and what they escaped from. And then to come here and struggle and be treated harshly by the American children - it's awful.....
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November 1, 2009 I read New kids in Town as an IR book. This book was about young immigrants experiences from leaving their home country to coming to America. They all came from all across the globe. A lot of them came here illegally because some laws in their country. But one thing they had in common was they all came to America to start a new life.
The connection I have is a text-to-self-connection. This connects to me because i have immigrants in my family. The ones that are alive came from Ecuador. But the ones that are dead came from Russia and Ecuador. I connect because i have a story to back me up to say i know what some went through. But mom came here legally but she came to start a new life just like the kids in the book.
I gave this book ****stars. I gave this book four stars because i like to hear about stories that are real. It gave me a little history lesson too because the kids shared about their country. I learned many reasons why they emigrated but i already knew why they immigrated. I recommend this book to people who like history.
The connection I have is a text-to-self-connection. This connects to me because i have immigrants in my family. The ones that are alive came from Ecuador. But the ones that are dead came from Russia and Ecuador. I connect because i have a story to back me up to say i know what some went through. But mom came here legally but she came to start a new life just like the kids in the book.
I gave this book ****stars. I gave this book four stars because i like to hear about stories that are real. It gave me a little history lesson too because the kids shared about their country. I learned many reasons why they emigrated but i already knew why they immigrated. I recommend this book to people who like history.
April 9, 2010
New Kids in Town introduces many immigrants and their struggles in life before coming to America. They each come from different country other than America, and talk about what life like was in their birth country. When they emigrate from their country, the lives of the immigrants change in a major way. They learn the ways of America and leave the past behind them.
I can relate to them, because whenever I go to a new place, I try to keep the traits from my home, but see and learn new things at the new area. Immigrants like these have to try the learn the new ways of America, while not emptying their old ways and traits. Becoming an American is no easy task and takes a lot to learn.
I give this book 4 stars out of the maximum 5. Hearing about the challenges they faced is amazing to read, but they all share similar stories. They all share similar lives which can make it a very repetitive read. If you like historic and books on coming to America, then this is a decent read.
I can relate to them, because whenever I go to a new place, I try to keep the traits from my home, but see and learn new things at the new area. Immigrants like these have to try the learn the new ways of America, while not emptying their old ways and traits. Becoming an American is no easy task and takes a lot to learn.
I give this book 4 stars out of the maximum 5. Hearing about the challenges they faced is amazing to read, but they all share similar stories. They all share similar lives which can make it a very repetitive read. If you like historic and books on coming to America, then this is a decent read.
November 8, 2009
This book recounts the individual stories of teen immigrants. These are very touching stories told by the teens themselves. There are examples such as Anna, age 17, who came from Greece. Her parents fear that she is becoming "too American". Martha, age 16, and Dominican, who emigrated five years ago. Her mother does not want her to play volleyball, but to concentrate on herf schoolwork as a way to succeed. These stories were all very touching. The main lesson I received from this collection is that our similarities as people are so much greater than our differences.
July 21, 2013
New Kids in Town offers first-hand accounts of the lives of immigrant youth from multiple perspectives, emphasizing family, community, and the effect of government on its citizens. The book provides insight into the lives, challenges, and culture of teenage immigrants from a number of countries who are in the United States legally and illegally, some having escaped war, poverty, and repression. This book is suited for students reading at the 5th or 6th grade level, but the themes and stories in the book will capture the interest of a broader age range.
May 13, 2015
Seventh grade +.
The self-told stories of eleven teenagers: their countries, reasons for coming to the U.S., and experiences here. Various cultures, religions, families, etc. An excellent view on America.
Wonderful information. Older students could relate to the worries of marriage, family, high school, etc. Some information is out of date (Soviet Union), but this book gives good insights overall.
The self-told stories of eleven teenagers: their countries, reasons for coming to the U.S., and experiences here. Various cultures, religions, families, etc. An excellent view on America.
Wonderful information. Older students could relate to the worries of marriage, family, high school, etc. Some information is out of date (Soviet Union), but this book gives good insights overall.
November 4, 2007
Reading this with ESL Reading 2. I worried because it is our first substantial book (we had spent most of our time up until then on poetry), but the great thing about this book is that the students already have alot of background knowledge, so they make connections easily.
April 18, 2009
i could really relate to this book because i know what it feels like to be the new kid in town in a different school a different country. These kids are willing to get used to where they live no matter what.
April 8, 2014
The hope and promise of America- through the eyes of immigrant teens. What a great perspective! Especially heartbreaking hearing the life and death stories of kids feeling communist countries. Highly recommended.
December 1, 2015
The cover illustrations feature young men with off-putting early-eighties hair styles, but the content doesn't feel that dated - or maybe that's just because the teens in the book are actually people my age!
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April 1, 2007From the publisher: Eleven teenage immigrants tell compelling stories of their escapes from war, poverty, and repression to carve out new lives in America.
November 26, 2012
November 19, 2012- 45 min
December 22, 2013
i think it will be the best book ever
March 18, 2015
i havent finished reading the book but so far its really interesting about how they came to america so that they could have a better life like us.
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August 20, 2007ITS A GUDE BOOK..ITS CRAZY HOW THAT GIRL GETS PREGNANT TWICE
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews