Middle Grade Books on the Immigrant Experience
Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan (2000)
This historical novel is set in the 1930s in Mexico and the United States. Esperanza’s life in Mexico was pampered and luxurious. When her father dies and her home is burned, she and her mother flee to California to begin again. Esperanza must quickly adapt to a very different life, learning to care for neighbor’s children and work as a packer of produce.
Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan (2016)
Told in alternating chapters, this novel focuses on the unlikely friendship between Ravi and Joe. Ravi is a recent immigrant from India and is having trouble fitting in. Joe has an auditory processing disorder that makes school a challenge and is missing his best friend who moved away. Both fifth graders find themselves the target of the class bully. That unfortunate link draws them together into a true friendship.
Lucky Broken Girl by Ruth Behar (2017)
Ruthie is a Cuban-Jewish immigrant in New York. After a car accident, she has to remain in bed, in a cast. Set in the 1960s, this book depicts Ruthie’s coming of age while immobilized. She relies on her family, friends, and teachers to save her from the loneliness and isolation of being bedridden.
Front Desk by Kelly Yang (2018)
Mia lives with her parents in the motel where they work. When she’s not at school, she helps out by running the front desk. She dreams of being a writer, even though her mother wants her to focus on math. At the hotel, her parents let immigrants stay in the hotel for free, which they keep secret from the owner. This first book in a series about Mia is a great exploration of family, friends, and following your dreams.
Pie in the Sky by Remy Lai (2019)
A graphic novel about how cooking can soothe the pain of relocation — and grief. After Jingwen’s father dies and the family immigrates to Austrialia, he plots to cook his father’s special recipes even though his mother forbids him to use the oven. Smart, beautiful, and touching.
A Place at the Table by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan (2020)
Written from alternating points of view, this book is a delightful and insightful read. Two sixth graders attend a cooking class together. One is Jewish, and the other is Pakistani American. They reluctantly form a team to create a fusion dish to win a spot on a TV show.
Maizy Chen’s Last Chance by Lisa Yee (2022)
Maizy and her mom are spending the summer in Last Chance, Minnesota, with Maizy’s grandparents. Her grandfather is ill, and her grandmother needs help with the family restaurant. Maizy misses her Los Angeles home but becomes interested in the family’s immigrant history and the stories of others that her family helped.